Air Leak Between Throttle Body and Intake Valves
What it means
P2282 means the ECM has detected unmetered air entering the engine between the throttle body and the intake valves — air that bypasses the throttle and airflow sensor. It is a vacuum or intake-leak problem, typically a cracked gasket, torn intake boot, or a bad PCV or vacuum hose. The result is a lean mixture, so the engine idles rough and may stall until the leak is sealed.
Can I keep driving? Usually yes, but expect a rough or high idle and possible stalling at stops; large leaks can make the car hard to keep running until repaired.
Real-world scan data
Appears alongside · share of P2282 scans
Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Rough, unstable, or unexpectedly high idle
- Check-engine light on, often with lean codes
- Hesitation or a lean stumble on light acceleration
- Possible stalling at idle or when coming to a stop
Common causes
Most likely first
- Cracked or leaking intake manifold or throttle-body gasketLikely
- Torn or loose intake air boot/hose after the throttle bodyCommon
- Faulty or stuck-open PCV valve or a disconnected PCV/vacuum hoseCommon
- Leaking brake booster hose or other vacuum lineLess often
- Leaking fuel injector seals or intake manifold cracksLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and check for accompanying lean codes to confirm unmetered air.
- Visually inspect the intake boot, manifold gasket, and vacuum hoses for cracks or loose clamps.
- Perform a smoke test of the intake to pinpoint the leak.
- Replace the failed gasket, hose, or PCV component and re-clamp connections.
- Clear the code and confirm idle stabilizes and fuel trims return to normal.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P2282?+
Can I just clear P2282?+
Related codes
Read & clear P2282 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.