Oil leaking from botom of vacuum pump

[CJ]

I was changing the oil in my car tonight, in preparation for a long drive through upstate NY, when I noticed that there was oil leaking from the vacuum pump cover. I want to take of the cover, but I thought I heard somewhere that if you remove the snap on cover, that all sorts of springs and stuff will shoot right out.
The cover needs to be removed so I can evaluate the situation.
Does anyone have any experience with one of these in a 124 diesel??
The repair CD has the information, I have seen it before, but I can not find it now. It is hard to navigate.

I guess we will be taking my Wife's 4Runner (GAS GUZZLER!!!!!)

[CJ]

Anyone??

Hi Ari!

This is the guy you sold the bumper cover to, it looks great on the car.

I have experience with older diesels, but IF the vacuum pump is similar, you may be near end of life on your vacuum pump diaphragm. The oil is from the crankcase and it indicates a pinhole in the diaphragm. The older pumps were rebuildable, but I used a boneyard pump and it's been fine for 50k miles.

HTH, I'd get it checked out before going out of state.

someguyfromMaryland

[CJ]

Thanks for the update, I am glad everything is ok. To remove the pump, do you have to pull everything in front off the engine? What does the pump hook onto when it is on the engine, in other words what is behind the pump when you pull it off??

[David C Klasse]

Maybe mine's different.. but my vacuum pump has 3 wire harness that simply unplug from the unit...

[CJ]

Thanks Dave for the input. What I am referring to is the vacuum pump on the engine. Diesels do not create vacuum like gasoline cars, so there is a pump that creates vacuum.

I did find some information on the CD, it says "IF THE ROLLER OR BEARINGS OF THE PISTON VACUUM PUMP ARE DAMAGED CHECK WETHER THE DRIVE FLANGE WITH CAM AT THE INJECTION TIMING DEVICE IS DAMAMGED. REPLACE PART IF NECESSARY"

What the heck does this mean????????

[CJ]

Alright, now I am getting frustrated!!
The CD references that replacing the vacuum pump is in section 43.618, where the heck is that???? I can find everything else related to the vacuum ystem, but the specific steps on how to replace the pump. UGH!!!!

[David C Klasse]

I knew something wasn't right about what you were saying and what I thought was...
DUHR. Thanks for the info!

[CJ]

Thanks for trying to help!

CJ,

You have been around this forum much longer than I have so I offer comments somewhat timidly...

I have read so much bad stuff about what happens when vacuum pumps break (oil goes throughout vacuum system) that my own approach would be to simply replace it at the first indication of trouble. You have gotten 175k miles out of this one (assuming its original) and thats not bad.

A new pump costs a bit over $200 and you'd have no worries for a long time.

If you are determined to open it up and try to repair it, there is a bunch of info at diesel forum regarding the various internal components and how to deal with them.

Good luck and FYI, I am about to replace my vacuum pump just to avoid the possibility of it breaking.

Nic
'85 300CD @ 144k miles

[CJ]

Nic.

Thank you for your help. I thought about it last night and have decided that I am going to just go for the new pump. From all indications I can tell that the pump is going to bad since the oil is leaking from the front cover, not actually the gasket on the block.
I was told by a friend of mine who is a MB Tech to replace the pump asap. The pumps has many internal parts that if left to go south, can break off and circulate in the engine. YIKES!!!!!!

[CJ]

I ahve a pump on the way, let's hope all goes well.

[CJ]

Anyone?

[CJ]

I now have my pump and will put it in during the weeks. Has anyone else done this on a 124 model? I keep reading about "checking" the bearing, what is this??
Anything to look out for??