Vacuum Pumped Seized!
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Monterey Bay Area
Vacuum Pumped Seized!
Just had a not so fun time on new years eve. I was towing my 6.5k lb boat back from getting some gas (Those of you who go boating know why 
). All of a sudden the truck screamed something fierce! Then no brake boost (Lucky the trailer brakes were still working as I was going downhill) Then noticed no power steering. Talk about a runaway train! As it finally got it stopped on on the side of the street, I smelled something burning and saw a little smoke coming out of the hood. You can imagine my thought process 
Well long story short, I found a fried and broken fan belt, and the vacuum pump pulley wouldn't spin. Of course everyone was closed by that time, so I could get the part until the next morning. I've had vacuum pumps go bad on me before in that they don't produce a vacuum, but one seizing??? It looks like some sort of seal broke apart and I found a puddle of oil on the power steering pump cap. Now I'm, left wondering if there was some sign I missed? It seem to happen pretty suddenly, but I will admit I had some radio tunes turned up since they were playing some cool songs that time of night.
). All of a sudden the truck screamed something fierce! Then no brake boost (Lucky the trailer brakes were still working as I was going downhill) Then noticed no power steering. Talk about a runaway train! As it finally got it stopped on on the side of the street, I smelled something burning and saw a little smoke coming out of the hood. You can imagine my thought process Well long story short, I found a fried and broken fan belt, and the vacuum pump pulley wouldn't spin. Of course everyone was closed by that time, so I could get the part until the next morning. I've had vacuum pumps go bad on me before in that they don't produce a vacuum, but one seizing??? It looks like some sort of seal broke apart and I found a puddle of oil on the power steering pump cap. Now I'm, left wondering if there was some sign I missed? It seem to happen pretty suddenly, but I will admit I had some radio tunes turned up
since they were playing some cool songs that time of night.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
Likes: 197
From: AZ
What a bummer, I never had one seize on me but they would stop creating vac. Once my wife asked me why I was standing up, I said I was trying to stop this thing! lol Signs? The only thing I know of is to listen at idle for a chirping noise. It sounded like I had a bird under the hood. I changed the pump and all was good again.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 71
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From: Monterey Bay Area
What a bummer, I never had one seize on me but they would stop creating vac. Once my wife asked me why I was standing up, I said I was trying to stop this thing! lol Signs? The only thing I know of is to listen at idle for a chirping noise. It sounded like I had a bird under the hood. I changed the pump and all was good again.
And no kidding about standing up. I was standing on the brakes trying to move the steering wheel! Felt like I could do one or the other. I don't think I could even move the wheel when she was stopped.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,502
Likes: 2,022
From: North Texas
Yikes! Glad you are okay. Consider chaging those idlers and tensioner while in there. Motorcrafts use good Japanese NTN bearings. Beware of the Torx fasteners...use 1/2" impact Torx bits to remove and they still may round out.
My vac punp is making a bit of noise here as of late. I am on the fence of grabbing a lifetime warranty Cardone from The Zone or new Motorcraft. Any thoughts guys?
My vac punp is making a bit of noise here as of late. I am on the fence of grabbing a lifetime warranty Cardone from The Zone or new Motorcraft. Any thoughts guys?
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Monterey Bay Area
Yikes! Glad you are okay. Consider chaging those idlers and tensioner while in there. Motorcrafts use good Japanese NTN bearings. Beware of the Torx fasteners...use 1/2" impact Torx bits to remove and they still may round out.
My vac punp is making a bit of noise here as of late. I am on the fence of grabbing a lifetime warranty Cardone from The Zone or new Motorcraft. Any thoughts guys?
My vac punp is making a bit of noise here as of late. I am on the fence of grabbing a lifetime warranty Cardone from The Zone or new Motorcraft. Any thoughts guys?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 2
From: Fallon NV
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Cargo Master
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Fallon NV
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
I have had a couple freeze up,the one from the parts house will last about 30000 miles,I don't hear too good but wife said she heard something making a noise,both times I was a few miles from the house so it wasn't to bad.Drove home one time and was pulled home one time.
Not much fun.
Not much fun.