I remember someone posting advice on when to replace the vacuum pump on an OM603. I can't find the post. What's the advice?

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
86 300SDL (due soon)
81 300SD (for sale cheap)

Sixto,

Vac pump on these is a PM item around 150K miles.

See posts: 87 Turbo Diesel

and

best diesel

Sixto,

I can't recall the specifics, but I do recall a general effective life of 150k mi for the original vacuum pump. I replaced mine last August. The initial sign for me was intermittent loss of power braking capability. The emphasis has always been on replacing it sooner rather than later due to the significant amount of damage a failing vacuum pump can do. Cost: ~$350 at independent mechanic.

__________________
Chris

'04 ML500 - 53k, Inspiration Edition, Desert Silver
'11 Audi A4 Avant - Brilliant Black
'87 300SDL sold
'99 C280 Sport sold
'85 190E 2.3 sold

My original vac pump lasted 239,000 miles. Just died, all of a sudden I had no brakes. Thank god it only happened 10 minutes from home.

My mechanic said I was lucky that the flying parts did not derail the timing chain or get stuck some where else.

150-200kmi is about the limit. You want to replace it, even if it's working fine, because if/when it self destructs it can destroy the engine (or most of it). Search the archives, I think this happened to someone recently. The PO of my car was lucky, it only dumped parts & pieces into the oil pan (which had to be removed to recover the shrapnel). Both of my 87's have new or recent pumps on them now. It's not a bad job to R&R it, but the part is expensive - ~$200!

Regards,

__________________
Dave
Boise, ID
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