Vacuum pump failure

[Htwjr]

I flew from SC to MS and back today for a total of about 8hrs. My vacuum pump quit along the way or I think it did because the low vac light came on and instruments and PC quit. What is involved in repairing or replacing the pump in terms of money and time? Other than that it was a great trip of about 1100 nm. Thanks

[laytonl]

A vacuum pump is probably about $500-600.  Installation will take a couple of hours, or at least it takes me two hours, because I drop the nuts hundred times before finally getting them started.  A vacuum pump is a pain to change.  Lee

[N601RX]

I flew from SC to MS and back today for a total of about 8hrs. My vacuum pump quit along the way or I think it did because the low vac light came on and instruments and PC quit. What is involved in repairing or replacing the pump in terms of money and time? Other than that it was a great trip of about 1100 nm. Thanks

We had to replace ours about 2 weeks ago. An overhauled exchange is a little over $200. Rapco and Tempest both also sell new ones which are about $300 and $375. I ended up going with the Tempest tornado 3000 which has a visible wear port and a 3y/1300hr warranty. It takes 1-2 hrs to change and the bottom nut next to the oil filter is a PIA to get started and tightened. They sell a special wrench for it, but it is still difficult. Dangling the washers and then the nut on a piece of tape seems to work for getting them started.

[piperpainter]

Uhh a rapco 215CC is what you need and it's $295. If you work with your mechanic you'll learn that its a PITA to do. If he/she has a special wrench use it. or pay $20 and buy it. I wouldn't fly the aircraft anymore until it's fixed. Otherwise you could get parts into the system and then you'll instruments will fail and those cost about $1500 plus to overhaul....so don't do that! Ground the girl, or cap her and fly her home. 

[N201MKTurbo]

When the pump fails it will tear the shear coupling. After that there is no harm running the engine. When you replace the pump clean all the hoses and fittings back to the vacuum regulator. If there is any debris in the hose then pull all the vacuum hoses and the regulator and clean them all. The pumps will sometimes up chuck bits back into the vacuum system when they fail. Don't use Teflon tape on the pump fittings. If a bit of it comes loose it will kill the pump.

[rbridges]

A vacuum pump is probably about $500-600.  Installation will take a couple of hours, or at least it takes me two hours, because I drop the nuts hundred times before finally getting them started.  A vacuum pump is a pain to change.  Lee

 

I helped change one.  "Pain" is an understatement.  

[Danb]

I had problems in my J model I went through 3 I about 210 hours. Around 70 hrs like clockwork, I installed a cooling shroud and a device that lowered the pressure I can't remember what it was called. Anyway it solved the problem and the next pump lasted 800 hrs then I sold the plane...heat seems to kill our birds anyway I'd try this when you install your new one....good luck. Dan

[Mooneymite]

PITA, yes. rocket science, no.

I've changed several. Once I had the special wrench, the other times I used a long, skinny screwdriver to tap on the nut edges on that bottom nut and get it turning.

It never ceases to amaze me that in all the years of dealing with this periodic replacement, there has never been an improvement in the parts/installation.

One pump will go a thousand hours, or more. The next will fail in two hundred hours. No rhyme, or reason.

Some folk tell me that reverse rotation of the prop (as might happen during a compression check) hastens failure, but that may just be an OWT.

[fantom]

Anyone local who wants to borrow the special wrench, come on over.

 

I think the last CB who borrowed it, gave it back.

 

Under two hours, pick your own hardware, and do clean all the hoses.