Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cost to replace vacuum pump

[dward]

I have my 02 3500 at the repair shop for a different issue and told them to look for the oil leak on the engine since the crankcase vent relocation didn't solve the leak.
As expected, the vacuum pump is leaking.
They recommend replacing it at a cost of $1300. Ouch. Does it need to be replaced or is there just a seal that needs replaced?
This shop is highly rated and does great work but this seems like a lot for a leak.

 

[SAndreasen]

It's most likely just the seal genosgarage.com has the kit for 60$ nice to see the reputable shops are still out there trying to screw people

 

[mwilson]

It's most likely just the seal genos.com has the kit for 60$ nice to see the reputable shops are still out there trying to screw people

Not necessarily. If they are quoting a Cummins ReCon unit that sounds about right. Just because we can fix one with the seal kit doesn't mean that shop is going to risk it or even know that it is possible.

 

[RVTRKN]

A lot to agree with on that statement, a shop with a reputable reputation, didn't get that through rebuilding something that might or might not work when their done. A lot a labor involved in removing and replacing it for nothing, if they can't charge for it. Then they'd have to purchase the remanufactured unit and do it all over again.

If your a DIY, then it's worth the risk for just the cost of the kit.

 

[SAndreasen]

Most mechanics at the reputable shop are not smart enough to install a simple seal kit so it would make sense they wouldn't want to do it

 

[CRodi]

Try this outfit.

www.fixinrams.com

It's run by Pete Gould. If you're not comfortable replacing seals or rebuilding your unit, he'll do it for you.

It's worth giving him a call. Call him at a decent time and if you have to leave a message, he'll return your call in a timely manner. Very knowledgeable and patient and he'll spend all the time you need on the phone with you.

Good luck with your repairs.

 

[SAndreasen]

Genos kit come from Gould I believe it has a instructions video written instructions and the drivers to install the seals

 

[BigPapa]

Most mechanics at the reputable shop are not smart enough to install a simple seal kit so it would make sense they wouldn't want to do it

You're missing the whole point.

When your reputation and/or customer's money is on the line, you don't take those kind of chances. If installing a $50 kit works then your a hero, but, what if it happens like my first attempt did and the new seal is nicked by the sharp edge of the dogs on the drive adapter and it has to be redone? If you'd done it yourself it's no big deal, just means you have to buy another seal and spend another Saturday fixing it. If it's done professionally it's a come-back and your customer is now out more time and money and you're expected to fix it this time no matter what.

Let's say I put the kit in for a total of $300, $60 parts and 4 hours labor and it's still leaking. You're in a lose-lose situation. Most customers will not accept a redo on the kit and then, when you throw out the $1300 price of installing a re-man unit, they think your padding that price to recoup the original job. This sort of thing happens often enough with bad parts that most GOOD shops will not chance it knowingly. In case you don't know it, if I bought a re-man vacuum pump from Cummins, installed it, and it had a bad seal in it and I had to R&R it again, Cummins will supply another pump at no charge but they won't pay a dime to reimburse your labor costs.

Being a professional mechanic or running a GOOD shop is not about saving you money, it's about putting out dependable, good quality work while making money.

Fast, good or cheap. Pick two.

Good + Fast = Expensive
Good + Cheap = Slow
Fast + Cheap = Inferior Work

 

[NIsaacs]

I think the point of a $1300 simple vacuum pump is the issue here. I would have a hard time justifying a seal v/s a recon. That is getting very expensive, almost like replacing an engine because the crank seal is leaking. Now if the pump was damaged beyond simple repair that would be different. I have resealed a bunch of them and never saw any other damage, they seem to be very well built.

Nick

 

[BigPapa]

I agree $1300 is over the top.

I was just trying to point out why a GOOD shop may not want to try a reseal instead of saying "Most mechanics at the reputable shop are not smart enough to install a simple seal kit so it would make sense they wouldn't want to do it."

 

[dward]

I just watched the video from Gould. He does a great job explaining in detail, makes it look pretty straight forward.
A quick check shows reman pumps from around $180-$300.
I'm assuming the new pumps come with seals installed and already to bolt right in??
I could get a reman pump and new power steering pump for less than half of what the shop wants and it looks like a few hours or so of time to replace them.
I may go this route.

 

[Joe Mc]

BigPaPa - 10-4 to your comment in all posts above (and anywhere else I've had the pleasure of reading where you've contributed). There are so many "schools of thought" and not everyone considers the "many".

Me, I did the seal replacement deal and it worked out well - for me.

 

[CRodi]

Do your home work before sourcing a new vacuum/power steering pump.(off shore) You might be better off (quality wise) rebuilding your OEM pumps. If you get a chance to talk to Pete Gould. He'll explain in detail the differences in "off shore vs. OEM."

I put 13,000 miles on my vacuum pump using one of his kits. Finally got rid of that pesky leak. So far so good.

 

[dward]

Thanks. Does Cummins make oem? What is a good aftermarket brand and what's the cost?

 

[CRodi]

This is Mr. Wilson's territory, but I'll go out on a limb and say that Cummins will only sell and or rebuild OEM and nothing but.

Just a suggestion:

If your truck is not a daily driver and you can afford the down time, remove your pump and send it to Pete Gould. He'll install one of his kits and ship it back to you. In the unlikely event that your pump is too far gone (highly unlikely), he stocks plenty of OEM parts. His prices and work are very good and I'm sure he'll look after you.

 

[BigPapa]

I checked with Cummins and they do not offer a new or reman any longer, at least one for my '95 ESN, part #3925099. I looked up a replacement vacuum pump from Ken Smith and they give me Cummins part numbers. The Cummins number they list that is still offered by Cummins, 3937193RX, goes for @ $1240. It looks very similar but is also different from mine. Whether or not it would work on my 12V, I don't know.

I found reman units from other dealers, NAPA, O'Reilly, Ken Smith, etc, from $150 to $350.

I personally have resealed mine and a couple for friends with the seal kit from Gould Gear. As I mentioned earlier, the first time I did mine I nicked the seal and had to do it again. Since then all others I've done have not failed yet and mine is at just over 300K miles since the reseal.

I was just trying to defend the GOOD shop and/or professional mechanic with my previous posts.

 

[SAndreasen]

I agree $1300 is over the top.

I was just trying to point out why a GOOD shop may not want to try a reseal instead of saying "Most mechanics at the reputable shop are not smart enough to install a simple seal kit so it would make sense they wouldn't want to do it."

But most are not

 

[SAndreasen]

I think the point of a $1300 simple vacuum pump is the issue here. I would have a hard time justifying a seal v/s a recon. That is getting very expensive, almost like replacing an engine because the crank seal is leaking. Now if the pump was damaged beyond simple repair that would be different. I have resealed a bunch of them and never saw any other damage, they seem to be very well built.

Nick

I can just hear uhhh once the main seal goes out what happens is uh it usually means the rest of the engine is shot Cummins designed it that way so you know it's time for a new engine but uhhh I can put a new long block in but it'll cost 34,000$

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

I had mine replaced two years ago parts and labor was around $400. The first one they installed lasted a few days so they replaced it again under warranty and so far I have had no more issues. A few months ago I found another leak and this time it was the brake master cylinder. Your mechanic is way overpriced.

 

[leathermaneod]

You guys are way over thinking this. It is a very simple, very easy repair. Watch Goulds video on YouTube, pickup a Cummins gasket set off eBay for $20 or less and reseal your pump. I'm not sure how the dogs could get so sharp as to be able to easily cut that seal, but I can tell you I've had mine apart more than once both on and off the truck and it's fine. If your really worried about it, remove the ps pump with it and then disassemble and reassemble off the truck and install as a unit. Good luck with whatever you decide, but you could reseal you pump quite a few times for the price of a new/reman one.Besides that, unless you are buying new OEM, nothing like this(alternators, starters, vac pumps, ps pumps) is as good as what's on your truck from factory...just my $.02 of course