Vacuum headlight question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Chandler AZ
St. Jude Contributor
Vacuum headlight question
Hi, I was wondering if anyone can tell me if a leak on the headlight actuator is an issue. I had replaced my original ones with new ones but found that both leak and do not hold vacuum.
the main question I have is do all new vacuum actuators leak or did I just get a bum pair? I figure someone has alleady gone through this.
Background info:
The new actuators loose their vacuum from 20 PSI in about 10 to 15 seconds. I looked at my old original one and it held vacuum! the other original one did not. I am having issues with my vacuum system with the new ones installed. Every thing other than the reservoir including all the lines, relays have been replaced. The tank has a very slow leak as well. Wondering if these three components have a small leak that its just too much for the main vacuum to over come.
I also found one of the new relays was not working also as it was directing air through both ports with and without a vacuum signal from the top.
Thanks in advance for your inputs!
the main question I have is do all new vacuum actuators leak or did I just get a bum pair? I figure someone has alleady gone through this.
Background info:
The new actuators loose their vacuum from 20 PSI in about 10 to 15 seconds. I looked at my old original one and it held vacuum! the other original one did not. I am having issues with my vacuum system with the new ones installed. Every thing other than the reservoir including all the lines, relays have been replaced. The tank has a very slow leak as well. Wondering if these three components have a small leak that its just too much for the main vacuum to over come.
I also found one of the new relays was not working also as it was directing air through both ports with and without a vacuum signal from the top.
Thanks in advance for your inputs!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Actuators should not leak and should hold vacuum. The entire system should hold vacuum when working correctly. A word of advice, test all new parts before you install them. I just replaced my entire vacuum system and was surprised how many new parts arrived that were faulty.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,172
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71,
I agree with Ice that the reproduction components available for the headlight and wiper systems are sometimes faulty.
Are you testing the components individually and in a way that will eliminate the possibility that the leak is in a hose connection, and will also let you know for certain which component is the problem?
Regards,
Alan
I agree with Ice that the reproduction components available for the headlight and wiper systems are sometimes faulty.
Are you testing the components individually and in a way that will eliminate the possibility that the leak is in a hose connection, and will also let you know for certain which component is the problem?
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
So.. here is what I always tell my guys in the shop...
Always test the actuator from the backside first...
If an actuator leaks vacuum on the backside then you can toss out any idea of fixing it. This indicates that the diaphragm is leaking and the actuator can not be repaired.
If the actuator holds vacuum on the backside then you should take a hard look at the rod seal. Seals and boots are way cheaper than buying the entire actuator and if you hold vacuum on the backside you can usually repair a leaking front seal.
-Willcox
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 154
From: Deplorableville Nebraska
My prediction; Used but vacuum tight headlight actuators will become a scarce commodity, and will be actively pursued in the aftermarkets.
Original vacuum relays can be rebuilt to function better than new, I do it all the time
Original vacuum relays can be rebuilt to function better than new, I do it all the time
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Chandler AZ
St. Jude Contributor
Thanks all for your inputs guys. Yes I have tested the actuators and relays by themselves. I unfortunately did not test the parts when I received them (as I assumed they would not leak as new). Then they sat for almost a year until I just installed them. Both headlight actuators leak on both sides. So the diaphragms must be leaky and I see no way to fix them. Is there a way to fix a bad diaphragm? Also 1 out of the three relays was not working. This is 3/4 bad components from the same outfit.
I wonder if there is one mfg source that everyone uses as they seem to look the same and have no markings to determine date lot or manufacture.
I wonder if there is one mfg source that everyone uses as they seem to look the same and have no markings to determine date lot or manufacture.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Thanks all for your inputs guys. Yes I have tested the actuators and relays by themselves. I unfortunately did not test the parts when I received them (as I assumed they would not leak as new). Then they sat for almost a year until I just installed them. Both headlight actuators leak on both sides. So the diaphragms must be leaky and I see no way to fix them. Is there a way to fix a bad diaphragm? Also 1 out of the three relays was not working. This is 3/4 bad components from the same outfit.
I wonder if there is one mfg source that everyone uses as they seem to look the same and have no markings to determine date lot or manufacture.
I wonder if there is one mfg source that everyone uses as they seem to look the same and have no markings to determine date lot or manufacture.
No, there is no way to repair a leaking main diaphragm. I received three defective passenger side actuators before finding an original replacement. For whatever reason the first driver side actuator I received is fine.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The work to fix one would way exceed the cost of another one. We test ours before we send them out but even then we still have a few leak's. It's the best we can do... and it still happens.
Willcox