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Topic: Vacuum Generator replacement (Read 2949 times) previous topic - next topic

Vacuum Generator replacement

Our vacuum generator started leaking air a couple days ago inside it's little black box (located on passenger side of generator enclosure). It would drain the main air tanks in about 30 minutes. I talked to Bob at Foretravel and he said parts are no longer available for this, but they have a solution. They are sending me parts for about $265.
Anyone have experience/suggestions for changing this?
The quick fix for the air leak was to fold the air supply line in half and tape it so it won't unfold. That is working. He said I won't need that air line so maybe the new part is electric...
Thanks, Dick

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #1 –
Hi Dick, I had my vaccum pump replaced with the electric 12 Volt model, about the same price (I forget) and all has been good since in that compartment.
Like your new avatar pix, much more better.
Dave M

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #2 –
Dick,

If you hear air leaking at the vacuum generator then air leaks may simply due to an expanded hose as it fits over the ports of the generator. Cutting off 1/2"of tubing and pushing it back on the port may solve that problem. On the other hand, if you temporarily cap off the air line to the vacuum generator then you dash air vents may not work work properly for air conditioning.

Jim 2002 U320

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Dick S –
Our vacuum generator started leaking air a couple days ago inside it's little black box (located on passenger side of generator enclosure). It would drain the main air tanks in about 30 minutes. I talked to Bob at Foretravel and he said parts are no longer available for this, but they have a solution. They are sending me parts for about $265.
Anyone have experience/suggestions for changing this?
The quick fix for the air leak was to fold the air supply line in half and tape it so it won't unfold. That is working. He said I won't need that air line so maybe the new part is electric...
Thanks, Dick
They replaced mine with an electric version in 2007. $210 & $96 labor

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #4 –
Steve replaced ours in 2009 with the electric unit.  I'm sure he'd be glad to answer any questions (on the board or over the phone, whichever you prefer).

Michelle

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #5 –
If the vacuum pump is anything like the pump in the nose of a GV, then any reasonable 12 volt vacuum pump will do the trick. In a GV, the Ford air conditioning dash panel has a problem with the sliding lever. On many, if it is all the way to the left, it starts a vacuum leak and will cause the vacuum pump to cycle repeatedly causing it to wear out before it's time. Putting a stop 1/4" before the end fixes the problem.

Lots of vacuum pumps at all prices at: 12 volt vacuum pump | eBay

Pierce

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #6 –
I installed the vacuum pump, but it runs and runs and ...
Not sure why. I let it run for about 15 minutes before giving up. I am wondering if the tech at FOT might have snagged a vacuum line in the dog house when he tore it apart to replace the fan motor.
I hate the thought of having to tear into that. FOT flat rate is 14 hours!

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #7 –
Dick, Did you plug off the intake to see if the pump will shut down ? I would start there, if it does not shut down while you are plugging it you may have a faulty pump. Once you determine that the pump is good you can work down stream to find the leak.
Gary B

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #8 –
Here is how I found my problem: Let the pump run with the key on, open the compartment door and locate the pump by the noise it is making. Find the suction line at the pump and using a small ViceGrip or hemostat hemostats | eBay , pinch off the vacuum line a couple of inches from the pump until the pump stops. Then work your way until you come to a connection where the line separates and goes off in different directions. Clamp one or the other lines until the pump stops. Just keep working further and further away from the pump until you find the problem.

I pulled the wall off the front of the heater/dash AC and checked all the vacuum actuators until I finally found the leak in the AC/heater dash control unit right in front of the driver's seat. Took about an hour to figure it out.

Using this method, you don't have to pull any lines off, just clamp them so it's fast and EZ.

Pierce

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #9 –
Anybody out there know if the 1997 U270 has these vacuum generators?  Or, are these only used in the upgraded U300/320's?

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #10 –
Thanks Gary. When I put my finger on the vacuum port, the pump shuts off immediately. Also, when I pinch off the vacuum tube into this can (see photo), pump shuts off, but when I pinch the tube "out", it keeps running. What is this can and can it be repaired?

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #11 –
Dick, I could not open the photo. 
This is probably a vacuum accumulator. Looks l;ike a juice can ?  Most cars have them and they are very common.  The CAN probably  has a hole in it.  Go to any auto parts store and they probably have one.  If you get the WHAT..... Model...make...color routine, tell them the model of your car or truck.  Shape and size do not matter.  If there is a junk yard near by go there and look under hoods.
Gary B

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #12 –
Item is your vacuum reservoir. Most auto parts will have plastic ones about $15.00.Gam

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #13 –
The can is needed to support the stock vaccum generator. Without the can, the generator goes belly up very quickly.  (Found out when a repair shop - not FOT - replaced the generator and did not hoolk up the can --- they ended up putting in another generator on their nickel.)

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement.

Reply #14 –
OK, I 'think' i get this so will take the chance.

Had been told my unit was bad but...I did not believe it. Later found out, I was correct and did not have to replace the device.  However, I took a photo of it and went to NAPA store and he recognized the unit and said there are many similar models but.... no real difference.  FT parts dept. quoted $274/Napa less than $50.
They also said they had plastic reservours if necessary.

right now I do not need one and when necessary will continue to support FT if I can.  They are a great bunch of guys-all trying their best.  However, if and when, I'll back off on some things that I might be able to save a buck on.  I do want them to continue servicing older rigs and guess they will continue to, since they are now taking on many other manufactured models.

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #15 –
I reinstalled the air driven vacuum generator just to see. It does create a vacuum, but does not switch off when I put my finger over the vacuum port. Guess I really do need the new 12 volt vacuum gen.
FOT is drop shipping me a $15 vacuum canister.
Does seem odd that both the generator and canister would fail together though. We'll see.

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #16 –
After reading this thread I have a question. On our 1991, when we bought it last summer, the dash A/C was running all the time and wouldn't shut off with the A/C push button switch. (I guess the previous owner didn't mind - lived in Florida). For trips where we didn't want the A/C to run I temporarily manually disconnected the condenser fans in front and the wire to the compressor in the back.

In addition the 12V vacuum pump is dead, so we get air out of the window vents all the time. I plan to replace the 12V vac pump this spring and try to get the dash heat vents working again.

Would the lack of vacuum cause the A/C push switch to quit working?

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #17 –
Info on the pump is in the "Parts number" thread.

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #18 –
Quote
Would the lack of vacuum cause the A/C push switch to quit working?
Peter,
No, That pushbutton for the AC is electrical only.  Turning the fan off should turn the AC off too.

Re: Vacuum Generator replacement

Reply #19 –
Finally got this project finished. FOT no longer has a source for the vacuum reservoir; at least not now. The factory quit making them in about 2006. A neighbor suggested filling mine with water to see where it leaked. Found the leak and he gave me a marine epoxy sealant to fix it.
Now the doors in the dash hvac work again and no air leaks!
As Pierce said, most any vacuum generator will work. The one from FOT for $260ish is a Ford part available new on eBay for about $50.00. A couple photos attached.
Barry, the last photo has the part number. E3 HT-2A451-BA