Bartman Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 We sent the Dual Mag out for service and while we are at it the vacuum pump will be replaced. It has a little over 500 hrs and was on the list for this coming annual so needs to be done anyway. So I was bored and I sensed that you guys are too, so I made this poll. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I went with... When it dies... I’m VFR only, and have a spare electric pump... When I get back to IFR, I’ll be getting an electric AI as well... One question... Bartman, are you going to take your own poll? Best regards, -a- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy95W Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 When it dies. Nice thing about STEC autopilots is they don’t need no stinking vacuum to keep the wings level and to hold altitude. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 What’s a vacuum pump? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneymite Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 While most last about 500 hours, dry vacuum pumps can fail for no rhyme, or reason. Preemptively changing one may find you replacing a good one with one which will fail prematurely. Vacuum pump failure is no fun IFR, but that's why we practice partial panel. I've had several fail, all during VMC, which has emboldened me to change them when they fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 10 minutes ago, Marauder said: What’s a vacuum pump? It's the thing only my speedbrakes need..... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takair Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I selected 500 hours, but in reality a failure always seems to beat me to it, usually at just over 500 hours and before I get around to changing it. If I were flying hard IMC a lot, I would be more religious about changing it before I got to 500 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooney in Oz Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Have no need for one. Replaced with Standby B&C alternator wth added Aspen and standby electric A/H. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 500 hours...I wish. New pump failed at 350 hours. Only needed for the speed brakes but no reasonable alternative. So, I guess I will just replace when it dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcrmckenna Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 3 hours ago, Marauder said: What’s a vacuum pump? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro I’ll be in that same boat this time next week. Installing the G5 and removing the vacuum pump. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N201MKTurbo Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I've flown my Mooney's for 4700 hours and have had 3 failures. Lucky I guess. All VFR. Im a CB so I replaced them when they fail. i just removed my standby vacuum system. I don't need it any more and it exceeded my alternators capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lloyd Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Had a couple die at less than 100 hours and one go 1200 hours. All the rest failed around 600 hours. Only one gave notice of impending death, low pressure for a couple hours on a trip. Next start it worked normally (ordered pump, VFR weather) but failed on a four hour trip home. Once on the ILS into Little Rock, my wife elbowed me, tore half the cover off an NOS book, handed it to me to put over the AH. Now that's a co-pilot! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted May 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Well I do have the precise flight standby vacuum so maybe I will discuss with the IA about keeping what I have. I do fly IMC and the vacuum is required to drive my attitude indicator for my old Century IIb. I tested the standby in the past with the pump disconnected in test mode and if I remember it's good to about 8000 feet or something like that, but I did not run the autopilot. Interestingly when I first purchased the plane we found that the valve for the Precise Flight standby was hooked up wrong. The valve was in the "on" position when the knob on the panel was in the "off" position. We found that immediately when I had the JPI 700 monitor installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmac Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I also responded with when it fails. Mine failed 4 hours into new ownership of my C. Autopilot worked well before the failure now it will only turn left. Accuflite and Accutrak II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris_adams Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Yes! Hopefully replacing my vacuum pump for good one day soon also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_Belville Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I have had the vacuum AI and the vacuum step servo fail. But I have not lost a pump. I did replace it along with mags when I had a prop strike. I will wait for it to fail rather than do a preemptive replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpilot Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 In my last M20E, I had 2 vacuum pump failures in 23 years (about 2200 hours) of ownership, both in VFR conditions. Also had the Precise standby vac system. During the first failure, I decreased manifold pressure to enable the Precise standby to generate vacuum. Then I realized that my sTec worked independent of vacuum, and decided to return to normal cruise speed and fly using the autopilot and compass. Our current M20C vacuum pump is well over 500 hours. We carry a spare pump in the luggage compartment. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piloto Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I had good luck with Rapco vacuum pumps, they have lasted over 1000 hrs. I noticed that about 100hrs before failure the suction gauge indication wiggle. José Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul - M20C Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 3 hours ago, Kmac said: I also responded with when it fails. Mine failed 4 hours into new ownership of my C. Autopilot worked well before the failure now it will only turn left. Accuflite and Accutrak II. That's where I'm at right now. I have about 4 hours in my new C model and the vacuum pump failed on the last flight. I'd love to do 2xG5s and remove the vacuum pump but doesn't the vacuum pull up my retractable step and run the PC? I always intended to do that with my 172M but now I don't think I can with a M20C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lloyd Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Only way to avoid pump failures: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awful_Charlie Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 I just replaced mine at engine overhaul. Like Jose, it was a Rapco, and had over 1200 hours on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M20F-1968 Posted June 1, 2018 Report Share Posted June 1, 2018 I went with when it dies. At this point my #1 artificial horizon is the G600, #2 is an electric mid-continent, and #3 is the vacuum Sigma-Tek. The vacuum pump only operates it and sucks up the retractable step. John Breda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneymite Posted June 1, 2018 Report Share Posted June 1, 2018 21 hours ago, David Lloyd said: Only way to avoid pump failures: Is anyone using a wet pump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcrmckenna Posted June 1, 2018 Report Share Posted June 1, 2018 Is anyone using a wet pump? I would wet myself if the vacuum pump went out in imc. Does that count?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcopolo Posted June 1, 2018 Report Share Posted June 1, 2018 4 hours ago, Mooneymite said: Is anyone using a wet pump? I use the Air Wolf wet vacuum pump in my 231, also have the stand-by electric pump installed. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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