Ignition, fuel and air
Vacuum leak repair: what it costs
How this range is built
| Part of the job | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | $5 | $60 |
| Labor: 0.8 to 2.5 hours × $125 to $175 an hour | $100 | $438 |
| Fees: shop supplies, disposal, diagnostics | $0 | $25 |
| Total, rounded | $100 | $530 |
The hourly rate is the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 average pay for this trade in Boston, $31.54 an hour, times 4 to 5.5 to cover what a shop bills (overhead, tools, insurance, profit). Parts are a band from budget aftermarket to the manufacturer part. Full method.
Not a repair shop, estimates only. Typical range, estimate. Not a quote. Your car, parts and shop change the number.
A cracked hose, loose fitting or bad gasket that lets extra air into the engine is found and fixed. Symptoms include high idle, lean codes and whistling.
What is usually included
- Smoke test to find the leak
- Replace the hose or gasket
- Clear codes
- Test drive
What moves the price
- Leak location and number of leaks
- Intake manifold gasket needing removal
- Smoke test fee
- Hose type
Questions to ask before you say yes
- How was the leak located?
- Is a smoke test included?
- What parts are being replaced?
- Will the codes be cleared and rechecked?
Can you do it yourself?
Hoses are an easy DIY; finding the leak without a smoke machine can be tricky.
Shopping for the part? Search car parts on eBay (affiliate link, disclosure). Make sure the part fits your car before buying.
Common questions
What are signs of a vacuum leak?
A hissing sound under the hood, high or surging idle, rough running and lean codes like P0171 or P0174 are common signs.
Why can finding it take time?
Leaks are often small cracks in hoses hidden under other parts. A shop may use smoke to find them, and the search is what takes most of the labor.
Can I drive with it?
Usually yes for a while, but fuel mileage drops and the engine may run rough or stall. A large leak can also damage the catalytic converter over time.
How much does vacuum leak repair cost?
A typical range in Boston is $100 to $530. That is an estimate from parts prices, labor hours and the local labor rate, not a quote.
Typical range in 10 metro areas
Only the labor rate changes between cities. Same parts, same hours.
| Area | Typical range, estimate |
|---|---|
| Boston area, Massachusetts | $100 to $530 |
| New York City area | $100 to $500 |
| Los Angeles area, California | $100 to $510 |
| Chicago area, Illinois | $95 to $480 |
| Houston area, Texas | $85 to $450 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas | $85 to $450 |
| Phoenix area, Arizona | $90 to $460 |
| Atlanta area, Georgia | $95 to $480 |
| Miami area, Florida | $85 to $460 |
| Seattle area, Washington | $100 to $510 |
Check-engine codes that lead to this repair
More ignition, fuel and air repairs
- Ignition coil replacement (one coil)
- Fuel injector replacement (one injector)
- Fuel pump replacement
- Mass airflow sensor replacement
- Throttle body cleaning
- Throttle body replacement
- PCV valve replacement
- Crankshaft position sensor replacement
- Camshaft position sensor replacement
- Coolant temperature sensor replacement
- VVT solenoid / cam phaser repair
- Turbo boost leak repair