Can someone identify this part?

**austin1346** · 12-07-2022 03:18 PM

I've been trying to find the cause of my slow oil loss issue for the last few months and I think this may be it.

The part circled in red (more specifically the "face" of it closest to the radiator is covered in dirty oil sludge, and the rubber hose about a foot below it has the same sludge on it as well. I just can't find out where it's coming from. I don't think it's coming from the valve cover gasket as there is no other visible sludge.

Thanks in advance.

**Fresh.S4** · 12-07-2022 03:56 PM

Vacuum pump

**JRYtheS4** · 12-07-2022 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by austin1346

I've been trying to find the cause of my slow oil loss issue for the last few months and I think this may be it.

The part circled in red (more specifically the "face" of it closest to the radiator is covered in dirty oil sludge, and the rubber hose about a foot below it has the same sludge on it as well. I just can't find out where it's coming from. I don't think it's coming from the valve cover gasket as there is no other visible sludge.

Thanks in advance.

Wipe it off and see if it returns. Mine was all sludgy but the leak is so little that I haven't bothered with it yet.

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**hardfive** · 12-07-2022 07:19 PM

3 bolts hold it on. Service position maybe necessary; mine was done with a lot of other work so I'm unsure. Take note of where the 3 bolts are as mine was so caked in oil they were difficult to see/find.

Easy rebuild with the RKX rebuild kit.Attachment 289991 Attachment 289992 Attachment 289994 Attachment 289996 Attachment 289995 Attachment 289993 Attachment 289997 20220813_232645.jpg 20220813_213308.jpg

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**B18b1ex** · 12-07-2022 11:32 PM

If you have a lot of miles just order a whole new one! Mine failed and almost cost me an engine.

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**JRYtheS4** · 12-08-2022 03:47 AM

I should have known there'd be a plastic part inside the vacuum pump... Uuuuugh.

Is this a situation where when it fails it adds oil to your vacuum system, or is it all sealed off from the cam?

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**sepheroth86** · 12-08-2022 05:32 AM

My car had a soft feeling brake pedal, and oil leak at the pump.

I replaced it and the pedal is nice and firm now as well as the oil leak disappearing.

Upon removal, mine was full of oil.

**austin1346** · 12-08-2022 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by sepheroth86

My car had a soft feeling brake pedal, and oil leak at the pump.

I replaced it and the pedal is nice and firm now as well as the oil leak disappearing.

Upon removal, mine was full of oil.

Huh I would not have expected a vacuum pump to be a possible cause of an oil leak. Maybe I'm having the same issue.

**Smac770** · 12-08-2022 07:21 AM

The vacuum pump is driven by the end of one of the cams, the pump housing is essentially the closing cap on the cylinder head at that location. Thus the metal gasket around the seal between the head and pump. If the pump develops wear, oil can leak into the inside of the pump, and then can leak out through the output port seal. Or the metal gasket itself can start to leak. I wouldn't be surprised if the pump is designed to leak a specific volume of oil internally to lubricate the slide. Otherwise, that thing would just heat up and melt.

**sepheroth86** · 12-08-2022 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by austin1346

Huh I would not have expected a vacuum pump to be a possible cause of an oil leak. Maybe I'm having the same issue.

Here is a picture of mine before replacement.

Make sure to buy (or borrow) yourself a quality Oetiker clamp tool.

**austin1346** · 12-08-2022 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by sepheroth86

Here is a picture of mine before replacement.

Make sure to buy (or borrow) yourself a quality Oetiker clamp tool.

Haha no way, that's EXACTLY what mine looks like. Guess I'll be replacing it.

I found a replacement pump on FCP euro for just over $100 but the gasket is back-ordered. Will have to do some more digging to see where I can get one. Thanks!

**sepheroth86** · 12-08-2022 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by austin1346

Haha no way, that's EXACTLY what mine looks like. Guess I'll be replacing it.

I found a replacement pump on FCP euro for just over $100 but the gasket is back-ordered. Will have to do some more digging to see where I can get one. Thanks!

I seem to recall that mine came with the gasket.

Give FCP a call, they should be able to verify for you.

While chasing oil leaks, check the oil cooler on the underside of the engine (you will have to drop the front belly pan). The gasket on mine was bad also, causing a significant leak. IF you need to replace this gasket, I would recommend new fasteners (not necessarily oem). As they are aluminum and will BREAK EASILY, causing massive headaches. I broke one of mine inside the block when snugging it up and replaced them with some steel ones and a bit of copper antiseize.

Best of luck!

**JRYtheS4** · 12-08-2022 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by sepheroth86

My car had a soft feeling brake pedal, and oil leak at the pump.

I replaced it and the pedal is nice and firm now as well as the oil leak disappearing.

Upon removal, mine was full of oil.

Whaaaat. Man this car sometimes. Now I have to investigate this too.

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**hardfive** · 12-08-2022 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by JRYtheS4

Whaaaat. Man this car sometimes. Now I have to investigate this too.

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Brake boost requires vacuum so no surprise an issue in the vacuum system caused the other to have issues.

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**B18b1ex** · 12-09-2022 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by JRYtheS4

I should have known there'd be a plastic part inside the vacuum pump... Uuuuugh.

Is this a situation where when it fails it adds oil to your vacuum system, or is it all sealed off from the cam?

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Depending on the failure mode, if the seal fully fails no brake boost and I can tell you stopping from even 15mph was not fun! The worst part is the way mine failed it cost me the intake cam! The plastic broke in such a way that it froze the pump instantly causing the key for the cam to snap, which in turn snapped the cam sensor key off! I had to get a replacement intake cam.

I made a post warning others with higher mileage but it seemed to go largely unnoticed.

Best wishes

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**Fresh.S4** · 12-09-2022 06:36 AM

Seems like an easy maintenance thing.

**JRYtheS4** · 12-09-2022 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by B18b1ex

Depending on the failure mode, if the seal fully fails no brake boost and I can tell you stopping from even 15mph was not fun! The worst part is the way mine failed it cost me the intake cam! The plastic broke in such a way that it froze the pump instantly causing the key for the cam to snap, which in turn snapped the cam sensor key off! I had to get a replacement intake cam.

I made a post warning others with higher mileage but it seemed to go largely unnoticed.

Best wishes

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There's so many issues when they get older I have a hard time keeping track! Good advice from you, I will order a pump and get mine fixed up before it fails. It's seeped oil just a tiny amount since I bought the car but I didn't think it was serious. It will get a new pump this winter when I pull the front for dual pulley

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**B18b1ex** · 12-09-2022 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by JRYtheS4

There's so many issues when they get older I have a hard time keeping track! Good advice from you, I will order a pump and get mine fixed up before it fails. It's seeped oil just a tiny amount since I bought the car but I didn't think it was serious. It will get a new pump this winter when I pull the front for dual pulley

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It’s only 3 torx no need for service position. But for a a little over $100. Mine failed at about 120,000 but my motor was swap for a new one at 84,000 so I didn’t think they reused the old pump!

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**Ford Prefect** · 12-09-2022 06:46 PM

Just be careful of this one, all the oil comes out. It’s a set screw and I have no idea how I f’d it up. But start your car and out comes the oil!
IMG_1632.jpg

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**JRYtheS4** · 12-10-2022 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by B18b1ex

It’s only 3 torx no need for service position. But for a a little over $100. Mine failed at about 120,000 but my motor was swap for a new one at 84,000 so I didn’t think they reused the old pump!

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Yeah I figured, it's just easier to get it done all at once for me. On top this, I believe my cat flange just cracked. So I got a lot of work cut out for myself this winter!

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