Here's some Vacuum advice
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
Here's some Vacuum advice
I think this was mentioned before... but just in case....
I had the usual lazy eyes and finally the headlights just stopped popping up. I replaced all the hoses with cheap tube for about $20, replaced the filter thingy with a lawnmower fuel filter, and the check valve seems to work ok. Still no lights. All switches check out.
Turns out the seal on the rod of one of the actuators was torn. I found this while looking at the Corvette Central catalog. Anyone ever notice that the exploded view drawings in the CC catalog are better than in any manual?
They list a cheap set of seal, retainer and boot for like $23 and it did the trick. Took about an hour to wrestle it out and pop it back in. The catalog has a big box that says that most problems can be fixed cheaply and easily by changing this seal. Sure enough it is true. That must prevent them from selling high $$ replacement actuators.
There is no exploded view of that seal and actuator in any Haynes, Chilton, Assembly manual or chevy repair manual but its inthe CC catalog.
Thanks CC.
You guys with lazy eyes should try it!!!!!
I had the usual lazy eyes and finally the headlights just stopped popping up. I replaced all the hoses with cheap tube for about $20, replaced the filter thingy with a lawnmower fuel filter, and the check valve seems to work ok. Still no lights. All switches check out.
Turns out the seal on the rod of one of the actuators was torn. I found this while looking at the Corvette Central catalog. Anyone ever notice that the exploded view drawings in the CC catalog are better than in any manual?
They list a cheap set of seal, retainer and boot for like $23 and it did the trick. Took about an hour to wrestle it out and pop it back in. The catalog has a big box that says that most problems can be fixed cheaply and easily by changing this seal. Sure enough it is true. That must prevent them from selling high $$ replacement actuators.
There is no exploded view of that seal and actuator in any Haynes, Chilton, Assembly manual or chevy repair manual but its inthe CC catalog.
Thanks CC.
You guys with lazy eyes should try it!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 7
From: Katy (Houston) TX
CI 7-8 Veteran
Yes, this used to be one of those posts you'd see show up every month. I'm surprised it's been a while.
You're right it's usually those seals on the front side but if it's the rear side then the whole actuator unit needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
To test, perform the following:
(I sure hope I have the sides correct)
Opens: pull the vacuum tube off the front side of the actuator and hook a vacuum pump guage up to the actuator. If it holds pressure then the open side seal is good. If you keep pumping, the light should raise. If it's bad and doesn't hold vacuum then you should get away with replacing the boot and seal for the front side.
Closes: Put the hose back on and pull off the rear hose on the actuator and replace with vacuum pump guage. If good, then jump for joy. If bad, doesn't hold vacuum, then bad news. You either need to have unit rebuilt or replaced. The back side isn't as easy as just replacing a seal.
Hope this helps.
You're right it's usually those seals on the front side but if it's the rear side then the whole actuator unit needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
To test, perform the following:
(I sure hope I have the sides correct)
Opens: pull the vacuum tube off the front side of the actuator and hook a vacuum pump guage up to the actuator. If it holds pressure then the open side seal is good. If you keep pumping, the light should raise. If it's bad and doesn't hold vacuum then you should get away with replacing the boot and seal for the front side.
Closes: Put the hose back on and pull off the rear hose on the actuator and replace with vacuum pump guage. If good, then jump for joy. If bad, doesn't hold vacuum, then bad news. You either need to have unit rebuilt or replaced. The back side isn't as easy as just replacing a seal.
Hope this helps.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: east providence ri
Originally Posted by wugak
I think this was mentioned before... but just in case....
I had the usual lazy eyes and finally the headlights just stopped popping up. I replaced all the hoses with cheap tube for about $20, replaced the filter thingy with a lawnmower fuel filter, and the check valve seems to work ok. Still no lights. All switches check out.
Turns out the seal on the rod of one of the actuators was torn. I found this while looking at the Corvette Central catalog. Anyone ever notice that the exploded view drawings in the CC catalog are better than in any manual?
They list a cheap set of seal, retainer and boot for like $23 and it did the trick. Took about an hour to wrestle it out and pop it back in. The catalog has a big box that says that most problems can be fixed cheaply and easily by changing this seal. Sure enough it is true. That must prevent them from selling high $$ replacement actuators.
There is no exploded view of that seal and actuator in any Haynes, Chilton, Assembly manual or chevy repair manual but its inthe CC catalog.
Thanks CC.
You guys with lazy eyes should try it!!!!!
I had the usual lazy eyes and finally the headlights just stopped popping up. I replaced all the hoses with cheap tube for about $20, replaced the filter thingy with a lawnmower fuel filter, and the check valve seems to work ok. Still no lights. All switches check out.
Turns out the seal on the rod of one of the actuators was torn. I found this while looking at the Corvette Central catalog. Anyone ever notice that the exploded view drawings in the CC catalog are better than in any manual?
They list a cheap set of seal, retainer and boot for like $23 and it did the trick. Took about an hour to wrestle it out and pop it back in. The catalog has a big box that says that most problems can be fixed cheaply and easily by changing this seal. Sure enough it is true. That must prevent them from selling high $$ replacement actuators.
There is no exploded view of that seal and actuator in any Haynes, Chilton, Assembly manual or chevy repair manual but its inthe CC catalog.
Thanks CC.
You guys with lazy eyes should try it!!!!!
I agree. I recently did this repair to my lazy eyes too. I got the complete hose kit with check valves and everything. It didn't make any difference. Sure enough, my seals were bad.
The seals are easy to replace. Taking the actuators out was the hardest part. Although, I did manage to break the rod on one of actuators and had to buy another anyway. DOH!Definately good advice...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Lawnmower fuel filter ... good idea, Tony. I like the way you think.
You are definitely on your way to an NCRS !!
ps - hope you didn't take the vette to work today ... nasty
thunderstorms rolling through right now.
You are definitely on your way to an NCRS !!
ps - hope you didn't take the vette to work today ... nasty
thunderstorms rolling through right now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Good advise!!! I replaced those seals and boots last winter while the hood and rad/support was out. Another "while i'm in there" project. Man, my headlights "pop up" faster than my willie does when I see a super model. 
Eddie
Eddie
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Augusta GA
Filter's purpose
Wonder what the filter is supposed to filter?The vacuum is on the intake manifold side of the filter so flow to filter is from light actuators to check valve and then to filter.Since there is no flow unless there is a leak whats going to the filter?If the check valve came apart internally then those particles would go to the filter if the particles were small enough?Huh?
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
I dunno
I dunno what the filter is supposed to filter out but it can't hurt. Mine was blown through, it was just a tube. No element in there at all. I picked up a $2 tiny fuel filter and buried it so you will never see it.
Today is the first day I have had the Vette out in almost 2 weeks. This has been the rainiest summer in history.
Thankfully it looks like 5 sunny days in a row now.
I have tried for the last 5 weekends to drive the car home to show my father and it has rained one of the two days each weekend. I want to drive it without the tops and stay overnight so I need 2 nice days back to back. New England weather stinks....
Today is the first day I have had the Vette out in almost 2 weeks. This has been the rainiest summer in history.
Thankfully it looks like 5 sunny days in a row now.
I have tried for the last 5 weekends to drive the car home to show my father and it has rained one of the two days each weekend. I want to drive it without the tops and stay overnight so I need 2 nice days back to back. New England weather stinks....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
Filter location
Mac:
The filter is the first thing in line with the tube as it leaves the intake manifold. Its about the diameter of a quarter and maybe 1/4" thick with a barb on both ends. I suppose there is a screen in there. Mine was about 6" away from the intake on a short piece of hose. The check valve is next to it, again about 6" of tube away, but the check valve has 3 ports.
Hope that helps. If not, go check the Corvette Central catalog and you can see it there!!!!
The filter is the first thing in line with the tube as it leaves the intake manifold. Its about the diameter of a quarter and maybe 1/4" thick with a barb on both ends. I suppose there is a screen in there. Mine was about 6" away from the intake on a short piece of hose. The check valve is next to it, again about 6" of tube away, but the check valve has 3 ports.
Hope that helps. If not, go check the Corvette Central catalog and you can see it there!!!!
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Aurora CO
The filter is there to protect the engine. Without it debris can be sucked into the intake manifold and into the engine. It would be like running without and air filter only the volume is very small.