HVAC Vacuum System Failure

[Paul Reed]

I had to have the dash vents on my 1997 Dodge truck repaired last month for almost $700. Apparently the vent door would not change from defrost to panel setting. The vacuum check valve failed and allowed oil to enter the vacuum lines to the HVAC system and ruin the vacuum door-actuator. I looked for a service bulletin on the '97 but only found ones pertaining to '96 and '98. Seems strange that they skipped a year on this problem. This doesn't seem like a normal maintenance item to happen to a vehicle with less than 62,000 miles that has been garaged and well maintained. Has anyone else had this type of problem on a 12-valve engine? I am concerned that, even though the Cummins engine has a good warranty, the rest of the truck is going to eat my lunch in high dollar repairs. I did not feel comfortable tearing out the dash to fix the problem on this episode.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Paul:

I had it on my 96. Same thing and the TSB took of it. $700. To much of a repair for me. I had it happen again but the vaccum hose fell down onto the maniflod and melted. Fixed but not $700 worth.



Sorry to hear bout that rip-off.



. . Preston. .

 

[Dieselnerd]

If your truck was recalled due to a check valve not being installed on the vacuum pump from the factory, the repair is covered by Dodge. If your vacuum pump came with a check valve as most did, the repair cost is yours after normal warranty expiration. Mine is a '96 and was recalled to add the check valve. They then extended the warranty on the entire vacuum system.

 

[illflem]

The '94-'96s had a recall on the vacuum system to prevent what you went though, came with a seven year warranty for the entire vacuum system. After that Dodge went to hydro vs. vacuum assisted brakes and vacuum problems were no longer a safety issue, DC was off the hook. Sometimes I wonder if the only reason the turdheads went to hydro was to avoid fixing the oil in the vacuum system problem. It can still happen but doesn't fall under federal safety regulations, now it's your problem.