Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Do I have to worry about the vacuum pump oil leak on my 95?

[Coalsmoke]

My 95 leaks quite a bit of oil (4 liters or so every 3-4000miles). It appears to be coming from the rear of the engine and I just started finding these posts about the vacuum pump. However, all the posts I find have 'vacuum pump educated people' in them. IOW, I don't even know what the vacuum pump is for, where it is located (something about being tied in with the power steering pump?), etc. Can someone please fill me in on some of this background info and how I could tell whether it is the culprit?



Thanks for the help,

Stephan

 

[CumminsPower98]

The vacuum pump is ahead of the power steering pump and bolted to the back of the gear case on the left front of the engine if you are sitting in the drivers seat. There is a seal between the two pumps that will start leaking at some point and yours probably is being a '95. As you have probably already noticed the seal can be replaced without buying a VERY expensive vacuum pump. Clean your entire engine off real well and then watch this and other areas to see where all the oil is coming from.

 

[RVPILOT]

seal leak

I just replaced my vacuum and power steering pumps with rebuilt units from napa. however mine has many more miles than yours and last year at about 525,000 miles I tried to have just the seals replaced, this did not work out as I found out later that the shaft on the power steering pump had a groove worn in it and the replacment seal didn't work. so this year I had to replace them both. also the front crank seal was replaced for the third time but this time the seal came with a wear sleeve to compensate for wear on the crank. I wonder if anyone has thought of a wear sleeve for the power steering pump shaft, might save some money for someone. now that I have the seals replaced it did not stop all the leaks as I believe the oil leak that I have now is coming from the plate behind all the gears up front, I think I will let it leak until engine overhaul time. buy cummins originals if you can. stormy