bnicolette Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 Folks, I need a little input from you on this subject. I have a Sigma-Tek vacuum pump that was installed on 4/7/1998 which was 767 hours ago. I haven't had to throw any money at the plane recently and was thinking about installing a new vacuum pump? Within the last year I have overhauled both my AI and HSI (part vacuum) so I certainly don't want to harm these units if the vacuum pump should fail. Is it possible to harm those units if my vacuum pump comes apart? I do fly IMC but I have a backup electric AI in addition a standby vacuum source. What do you all do? Is this a calendar/time part or on condition? Quote
Cruiser Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 I believe there is a filter on the vacuum system that should protect your AI & HSI from debris. Do you test the standby vacuum system regularly? Practice partial panel with the AI covered using the electric backup? If so, With your backup equipment I would wait for failure. Quote
pjsny78 Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 This is a first, someone is bored of pouring money into a plane. lol but seriously. no harm will come to the instruments with letting the vaccum fail. Quote
Guest Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 If Flying IFR with that time on the pump and the date installed I'd make it go away reall quick. Quote
BorealOne Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 Quote: Bnicolette Folks, I need a little input from you on this subject. I have a Sigma-Tek vacuum pump that was installed on 4/7/1998 which was 767 hours ago. Quote
jetdriven Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 I wouls replace it, Brett. We have standby vacuum and an electric AI, and 900 hours on the vacuum pump as well. We have a new CV1J-4 filter and a new Rapco pump in a box to go on soon as we get around to it. One thing to consider is infant mortality, IE, put ten hours on that pump before using it in IMC. Also, some A&Ps havent gotten the word, no teflon tape anywhere near vacuum system. Quote
1964-M20E Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 Everything you do to the plane figures into the cost of ownership and cost per hour. If money is no object the then by all means replace it. If you need to watch the $ then the longer you run the current vacuum pump the less $ per hour the plane costs you to operate. You have an electric AI and a backup vacuum you have a triple redundant system most are lucky to have a backup. I would not worry even in IMC but do practice with your backup systems. The biggest drawback would be if it failed while somewhere else but with your backups and if you can go VFR back it would be no problem. Quote
N601RX Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 Quote: Bnicolette Folks, I need a little input from you on this subject. I have a Sigma-Tek vacuum pump that was installed on 4/7/1998 which was 767 hours ago. I haven't had to throw any money at the plane recently and was thinking about installing a new vacuum pump? Within the last year I have overhauled both my AI and HSI (part vacuum) so I certainly don't want to harm these units if the vacuum pump should fail. Is it possible to harm those units if my vacuum pump comes apart? I do fly IMC but I have a backup electric AI in addition a standby vacuum source. What do you all do? Is this a calendar/time part or on condition? Quote
Bennett Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 It strikes me that that is a very long time for a vacuum pump. I always change pumps at 500 hours, and I, too, have an electric back-up pump (which I test at every startup). I've lost two primary vacuum pumps in IMC, and so I am very wary. (Both time the back up elecric pump worked just fine, and allowed me to safely work my way to a repair facility to replace the failed vacuuum pump). Yes, I believe that it is possible to harm an AI in a vacuum pump failure, as after one failure, the AI had to be overhauled, (and yes, the filter was relatively new). Quote
bnicolette Posted April 30, 2012 Author Report Posted April 30, 2012 Rapco pump and CV1J4 filter ordered from Spruce. Cheap in comparison to possibly having to overhaul that darn HSI again. The pump that is on there now is old and my gut was telling me to change it, before it hurts my new stuff. Thanks for all the input guys. And I will definitely fly it for a bit before I go trusting the new pump too much. I never knew they had an inline filter, so thanks for that one Byron. Why is Sigma Tek so much more expensive than Rapco? Patrick........Not bored, just pleasantly surprised I guess. She has been a good girl recently!! Quote
kris_adams Posted April 30, 2012 Report Posted April 30, 2012 I would replace it for sure. I replace mine < 500 hours. Quote
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