Update on Vacuum Pump failure

[Waldo]

On 09/04/2017 I posted that my pump had failed.
I have installed a new pump and dropped the oil pan to see if there were any
balls in it...there were none. I installed the new pump. It worked well, 21 in
of vac. engine runs smooth and strong. Trans shifts really well. Engine
stops quick.

HOWEVER There is clanging/banging from the lower , driver's side of the
engine, comes and goes. Listening tool puts it in the area of the Timing Drive.
The "Failed" pump still had all the balls. The Timing drive looked clean.
Car is an '82 CDT, still runs really strong, Same old car only it has this ..BAD.
Noise. Noise comes and goes.
While installing the pump I turned the Timing device to put the bolts horizontal
as suggested by the instructions (Clockwise).

I think this drive thing is above my experience level. This nice old car may
have just become a parts car. Can anyone give me any hope on this. ???

Waldo

[Diesel911]

Was it clanging before you removed the old Vacuum Pump?

Look at the area where the bolt goes into them Vacuum Pump Piston and see if you can see any cracks.

[Diesel911]

When had a intermittent pounding noise it came from the air filter housing clanging on the intake manifold.

[dude99]

Be certain it's not the a/c clutch making the noise. Even if your a/c doesn't work the bearings in the pulley will still die and it makes a hell of a banging racket when it does.

[Waldo]

To Diesel911

No, the engine was not clattering before the new pump went on. My listening probe
has produced a clean humming with some clicking of the check valve of the new pump.
I'm going to check the sounds of the AC clutch per the mention of dude99. The noise
seems to come from that lower/mid area of the engine, but has a clanging that sounds
like it comes from the exterior..somewhere.

The Air Cleaner was the first thing I checked ..I locked that down and pounded dents in
it years ago.

Thanks again ..I knew the info was in this forum somewhere. You all are a class act.

Waldo

[Diseasel300]

On the OM617, there is a sort of bushing behind the timing device that can wear out causing in/out play in the timing device. If the bushing is worn, it can easily tear up a vacuum pump and could have been the source of your previous failure. I'm surprised one of the 617 gurus hasn't suggested checking end play of the timing device yet. I'm much more familiar with the OM603 which has a different setup, so I can't give specific details on what to check or what is considered "normal".

[Waldo]

To all you wonderful, generous helpers.
Trying to check out all the possibilities I have turned on,,and off the AC to test the clutch
question. The clanging comes and goes in harmony with the AC on or off. We are still
running a R4 compressor.
On a side note, There seem to be a group of things MBZ could have done differently in
the area of the AC, dash pods, transmission,vacuum. Think '82 Ford Thunderbird.

It's hard to visualize running with no AC..here in the Arizona Territory. I will replace the AC clutch soon

Also; diseasel300, The Timing Drive seemed pretty stable, but I don't know what is
nominal. I've been driving this thing for about 10 yrs, never failed to get me home, but
I,m 84 yrs yung now and getting up & down under a car ain't what it used to be. I'm
hoping to outlive the rubber in the front end.

Thank you everybody. You've done more than I asked for, just as I expected. I have
trolled this forum for a few yrs and the people who ask for help always seem to be in good hands. I've run on a bit here but you all deserve it. The "Blue Roan" and I are
indebted.
Waldo

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Note : Several years ago, when the vacuum pump failed on my '84 Euro non-turbo 300TD, none of the 12 'balls' were found in the oil-pan. 11 were found trapped inside the oil pickup screen. #12 was never found.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[ykobayashi]

Originally Posted by Waldo

I,m 84 yrs yung now and getting up & down under a car ain't what it used to be. I'm
hoping to outlive the rubber in the front end.
Waldo

I salute you. I'm turning 50 and I'm sore all over after flushing my brake lines last night.