How much does it cost to repair an air intake leak?

The air intake on your car’s engine is a finely tuned component designed to increase efficiency by both improving the amount of air that can flow into the engine and by precisely monitoring the air volume and speed. 

Any issues with this system, such as leaks in the intake components, can negatively affect the performance of the vehicle, as well as reduce fuel efficiency.

Air intake repair cost

Repairing an air intake that’s leaking can cost between £60 and £350, depending on the cause of the problem and the type of car you drive. 

Basic rubber hoses that connect the air filter to the intake manifold are often available cheaply and don’t usually take long to repair.

If the leak is coming from a cracked or otherwise damaged air intake manifold, expect to pay nearer £300+, depending on the type of car. Simple city cars and family hatchbacks will be cheaper than performance or luxury cars with complex engine bays and expensive parts. 

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Air intake leak causes

There are a number of components in the air intake system, including hoses, seals and connectors that can all develop leaks over time. Here are some of the common areas:

• Cracked intake manifold

• Perished intake manifold gasket

• Split or perished rubber hoses

• PCV valve leaks or gasket leaks

• MAF sensor damage

What is an air intake?

An engine's air intake typically consists of an intake duct, usually behind the grille in the bumper, a series of tubes or hoses, an air filter, sensors, and the intake manifold. Turbocharged cars also incorporate a turbo and an intercooler. 

An engine needs both fuel and air to run. In order to run efficiently, the incoming air flow’s volume and temperature are measured precisely by the MAF (Mass Air Flow meter) and IAT (Intake Air Temp sensor). Both of these sensors are built into the air intake system. 

In addition to this, engines run better when the air is cold, as it is more dense. Intake systems therefore channel air from the front of the engine bay, near to the bumper, to avoid it being warmed by the engine. 

Will a broken air intake damage the engine?

There are few circumstances where a damaged air intake can affect your engine, the main ones are if the air filter is being bypassed, or the MAF or IAT sensors are not able to read correctly. 

An air leak after the air filter, will allow unfiltered air into the engine, which could contain dust, debris or moisture. This can damage the engine over time. If the intake is allowing unmetered air into the engine, it’s likely there will be higher air flow than the ECU thinks, potentially damaging the engine.

Can I drive with a broken air intake hose?

You should avoid driving if your air intake is leaking after the air filter, MAF and IAT sensors, as it could cause damage to the engine. 

If other parts are damaged or missing, such as the intake duct that attaches on or near to the bumper, that isn’t as much of a problem, just make sure the parts aren’t likely to fall off whilst driving. 

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