If air can't get out, it won't go in so the vacuum will be low.

We just sent a school bus in for warrenty work due to a blocked intake. The new diesels use a EGR valve to introduce exhaust gas back into the intake system to help meet the new emission standards. The EGR system uses engine coolant to cool the gas before intering into the intake. The cooler was leaking a bit of coolant whick mixed with the exhaust soot to form a sticky mess. Overtime the intake manifold just filled up and the engine just died out on route. We not sure how long it took to fill up. The Mercedes dealer never seen one do it before. Whats odd is these things will suck your shirt off your back if you get near the intake hole.

Joe