Exhaust brake quit working

[blackjackjakexxix]

Hi,new to the forum,I have a 2007 5.9,exhaust brake was working just fine while going on vacation,all of a sudden quit,it is a factory cummins,it was installed by the dealer when truck was brand new,6 speed trans,the light comes on but no results,I took it today to a dealer here in Va,he said the vacuum pump is only making about 5 lbs,he said it should be 35lbs,is that correct,if so would that make it quit working,anything else I should look at,they told me parts are no longer available,can the pump be rebuilt,I do see there are some on ebay,please feel free to e-mail me,Thanks, Rick

 

[HGreen]

Go to Geno's Garage, a sponsor here on TDR, they have the both pumps and replacement diaphragms doe the Jacob's exhaust brake.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

go to geno's garage, a sponsor here on tdr, they have the both pumps and replacement diaphragms doe the jacob's exhaust brake.

^^^this^^^

 

[Prairie Dog]

Welcome to the forum.
Just to clarify, the exhaust brake you have was installed by a dealer (probably) but is definitely not "factory". Also, it's a "vacuum" pump so it doesn't make pressure at all.

Good luck,
Scott

 

[ScottLewis]

Kind of hard to imagine a dealer service dep't who concluded the Vac pump was bad but didn't try to sell you a replacement. Generally speaking, the pumps aren't repaired but just replaced when they go bad, which does happen often. The pumps sold by Geno's are quite a bit cheaper than the dealer or from Jacobs company. A search on this forum will net you several options for replacement, including buying from Cummins.

 

[blackjackjakexxix]

Hi, your right,not factory but dealer installed,never thought about vacuum pump not produceing pressure,dah,will the switch still light up even if pump isn't working,just seems strange this thing has been working perfect then all of a sudden not,thought maybe something electrical,I check fuse its good,how do I get to Geno's garage site,Thanks, Rick

 

[blackjackjakexxix]

Hi, your right,not factory but dealer installed,never thought about vacuum pump not produceing pressure,dah,will the switch still light up even if pump isn't working,just seems strange this thing has been working perfect then all of a sudden not,thought maybe something electrical,I check fuse its good,how do I get to Geno's garage site,the dealership here in Williamsburg ,Va says part NLA,Thanks, Rick

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yes, the switch will light up even after the pump is gone. It's been said (mostly argued) that the pump fails when there is a leak someplace and it has to run more. I think it's enough of a contributing factor that the system should be checked very closely for leaks after a repair is made.

 

[ScottLewis]

When the diaphragm quits, it does so all at once. I think the pump itself might give signs like unusual noise, etc. but I'm not sure. When mine quit, I'm pretty sure it was the diaphragm but I just replaced the package with a PacBrake. The lamp coming on merely signals that power is being sent to the control valve relay.

 

[6speed]

If it were me with the dealer installed vacuum exhaust brake, I would remove it and install the Pacbrake. When I am towing I am in 26K lbs range and was so impressed with the PACBRAKE compared to the vacuum unit, I was like a little kid with a new toy. I use mine so much that I have had to replace the air cylinder on the unit. Coming down a 6-7% grade against the PACBRAKE was the must awesome thing. I had to turn it off a few times as I was slowing down GOING DOWN hill with the weight I had. PACBRAKE imho is the BEST unit as far as an aftermarket brake is concerned. No one elses can compare.

 

[blackjackjakexxix]

Tanks for all the help,when I get back home I'm going to look into it a little more,I'm 400 miles from home right now,pulling a 30' camper,just will take it easy,I might change it over to the Pacbrake,if not and its the pump I see a couple on ebay or will see how to contack Geno's garage if I can figure out how to make contact with them

 

[6speed]

genosgarage.com

 

[CKelley1]

genosgarage.com a better solution is to go with a bd. they mount there compressor in a better location than pac. both the bd and pac have a huge increase in stopping power over the jake. as our pumps fail we replace with bd's. it will take you about two hours to install. you can reuse the switch and ecm wiring. the jake has a longer belt than stock so you will need to change the serpentine belt to stock

 

[nunya]

you can probably just replace the diaphram on the pump and be good to go! I just did this job, got part from Genos`, fixed in less than 1 hr. I ran a new section of hose from the diaphram to the solenoid eliminating the factory plastic tubing it did run thru(its inside wire loom with the wiring) Works great again. Just sayin

 

[CKelley1]

price for the diaphragm only from genos is $159

 

[PatrickMarshall]

I too have a 07' 5.9 that had the Jacobs pump give up on me while out of town. Since mine was making a terrible noise I decided to change the belt in a parking lot to the shorter belt to bypass the pump. When back in town I went to the dealer, none in stock but could order, just under 1K. Walked two blocks to the Cummins shop, in stock, brand new, $240. It's not that hard to change out, save yourself some money!

 

[ScottLewis]

Good advice Patrick. I could have saved some $$ following your advice. Even after close to 2 years towing with the PRBX, I'm still not sure the slight improvement was worth the extra cost of it vs. fixing the Jake.

 

[JDamron]

Suggest taking the truck to Tim Barber at TRE Diesel in Norfolk just the other side of the bridge/tunnel. He will fix you up.

 

[blackjackjakexxix]

OK, I think when I get back home I'm going to change out the pump,just to make sure that's what I need,I pulled the vacuum hose off the pump,I can't hardly feel any suction,should there be a lot of suction when I put my finger over the hose,Thanks again for all the advise and help, Rick

 

[blackjackjakexxix]

Can anyone advise what the vacuum pump should be putting out,