Community Forums

Party Barge · 04-30-2009, 07:55 PM

A couple of weeks ago the dash air vacuum pump start making a raddling noise every 30-45 seconds or so. Just out of the blue. I tried adding some padding behind it with no success. After researching the pump, it turns out to be a pump used in Ford Deisel light trucks. It makes the dash air vents and things work. Ford Part cost $325.00, Wow, I think Winne had it at $165.00, but a part the size you fist, stil alot. Was going to try a wrecking yard, but know it has stopped making noise. Tomorrow I will find out if it just decided to become quite or is paws up.

Since it ran so often I'm trying to figure out if there is vacuum leak is system. The part was located just inside the front hood on the drivers side.

Any on run across this issue?

H. Miller · 05-01-2009, 06:35 AM

A1Auto.com had a new one for $99.95 including free shipping. The picture looks exactly ours ('04 Beaver).

J Walker · 05-01-2009, 06:48 AM

A leak is the first place to look though it could be a bear to get to. I had an intermittent operation of the vacuum pump when I was in Yellowstone which was the highest altitude I have driven my MH. I guessed that it was just the lower atmospheric pressure. At lower altitudes the problem has never reoccurred in five years.

Retired and Happy · 05-01-2009, 07:24 AM

I'm confused. Is there a dedicated vacuum pump for the dash air system? Not a vacuum off the engine? My dash system has defaulted to defroster, but I have not dug deep enough to find the vacuum source.

Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat · 05-01-2009, 07:39 AM

Diesel MH's do not produce vacuum so a pump is necessary for the dash air "doors" to function properly.

Sounds like the original poster has developed a leak in his system. If the pump is functioning it does not need to be replaced. Just find and fix your leak. Usually it is just a rubber hose push on connection and easy to fix.

bldrbob · 05-01-2009, 08:00 PM

My Tradewinds keeps popping the vacuum pump fuse.I took a wirety and tied the heater door open.The pump is located where you have to be a contortionist to reach it.I'm not that flexible any more.
BOB

J Walker · 05-04-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired and Happy

I'm confused. Is there a dedicated vacuum pump for the dash air system? Not a vacuum off the engine? My dash system has defaulted to defroster, but I have not dug deep enough to find the vacuum source.

Many dash air systems have a separate vacuum pump. If you have one you can hear it when you change air settings. It sounds like a rattle. I hear it inside but others have reported hearing it outside by the front firewall.

Rick Long · 05-04-2009, 08:33 AM

I just temporarily replaced my coach battery ground cable to correct a charging problem and WOW! it cured several other problems, like tank levels always being wrong and several other little theings...

Now my question... Where can you find 2/0 and 1/0 battery cables? The auto stores were mostly 4 or even 6ga... found one 2ga (which is my temp cure so the batteries at least charge on the generator) but no 2/0 or 1/0.

bldrbob · 05-04-2009, 03:43 PM

I used welding cable to make new battery cables.I got terminals in the electrical department of Home Depot.My battery terminals are bolts so the terminals work fine.
BOB

Party Barge · 05-24-2009, 05:57 PM

Decided to start at the pump and disconnect the vacuum line and plug it, this allowed to pump to maintain vacuum and the pump stopped running. I moved up to the black plastic ball which is a surge unit I believe, the pump had to run a little longer than stoped. So I started to inspect the small colored vacuum lines running to the various values in the system, the second one I looked at had a 1 inch piece of larger vacuum hose used as a connector and it was cracked, creating the vacuum leak. I replaced the one inch piece on hose with some new hose and all seems ok.

Thanks all for imput

RAB