My 2001 Ford Escape makes a hissing sound like leaking air. I thought it was coming from the brake, but now I'm not convinced at all. If seems to come from the gas pedal .... What do you think it could be? Is my car going to blow up?!!!!
-Christine

Sounds like a vacuum leak. You may have to stand on your head and go looking for it. Is everything working properly like temperature controls.

Also if a plug (rubber) in the firewall falls out you get an air sound from the engine. Gas pedal has a cable that goes thru and it might have a speedo cable and they are insulated in rubber so check those too,

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

If I take it to the shop will they be likely to charge me an arm and leg? Will it die on me if I don't get it in right away?

I can't say what it might cost as we really don't know what it is right now. If there are no warning lights and car is behaving with no funny odors you have to decide whether it can wait or not. If it is some kind of vacuum leak it could wait a bit and if a large vacuum leak engine controls may make it run poorly and you would get a check engine code (light) but I just can't say much more than that.

Any time a car runs poorly the faster you get it fixed the better as it can damage some other items to wait. Good luck with it,

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/