Driving on the Freeway, sounded like the turbo sped up and whistled a few times. Then smoke comes roaring from under the hood and loud broken metal spinning noises. I get the van to my jobsite and take a look. The shaft for the Vacuum pump busted behind the bearing and created trouble for me. But my Ford Dealership had a new vacuum pump, vacuum pump pulley and serpentine belt. About 45 minutes later it was changed out by me and everything was back to normal. Had to buy a ford powersteering pulley installer but we always love new tools don't we.

 

Vacuum pump? I can remember the water pump, power steering pump, HPOP, alternator, and the AC compressor. I am unfamiliar with a vacuum pump.

 

I'm not a van expert either, but the only vacuum pump I know if is an electrical pump on the passenger side. Please elaborate!!

 

My 97 E350 has one, it supplies vacuum to accessories and the power brake booster. Mine went bad as I was backing into a parking space at the local convenience store. All of a sudden, no vacuum, no brake boost, hard pedal. I hit a steel pole at the end of the parking spot before realizing what was happening, and it cost me a vacuum pump and a rear bumper. The pulley is pressed on, as I recall, and I didn't feel like buying the special puller, so the stealership got me on that one.

 

Ah... thank you.

 

Hmm I thought all these diesels had a vacuum pump because they don't make vacuum because they are diesels. Its on the drives side has a black smooth face pulley about 4" in diameter and is held on with 3 - 10mm bolts. The black hose coming out of it goes directly to the brake booster. Take a lookske and see where your black hose from your brake booster goes to, maybe you will be surprised.

 

You're talking about the power steering pump. It also powers the hydro-boost power braking system. The only vacuum pump I've ever heard of is the one on a gas vehicle to suck fumes from the tank IIRC.

 

The E series vans and OBS F series trucks, with diesel engines, are equipped with the belt driven mechanical vacuum pump.

 

I'm not familliar with all years, but the 7.3 vans I have seen use the vacuum pump you're describing, while the F series use the PS pump for power brake boost. The pickups do have a vacuum pump, but it is a small electric unit mounted on the passenger side fender and it only runs the HVAC controls and front hubs (if equipped).

Chris

 

Thanks for the clarification Roland! I wonder why they didn't just stick with one or the other....

 

The different firewall configuration in a van most likely doesn't leave room for the hydroboost and they had to use a vacuum boost. JMO

 

Gotcha! makes sense.