Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Will PacBrake's WD40 to the solenoid trick solve my Jake Brake problem?
Situation:
Turned the exhaust brake on, it applied itself a couple seconds then quit working. Heard a constant loose rattling sound from exhaust pipe area below the turbo for a few days, then the noise quit. Turning on the exhaust brake, the gearshift light comes on but of course nothing happens.
What's been done:
Unfortunately living in an apartment ATM, my tools are in storage, have no place to work, and of course snow is threatening to fly [I'm a SoCal boy livin in Wis].
Called the local Dodge dealer but they didn't want to touch the problem for some reason, [lack of confidence, knowledge, or experience?]. Went to the closest authorized Cummins shop a couple towns away. When they tested the exhaust brake system, said the vacuum pump was only pulling 1" of vacuum & appeared to need replacement.
Internet Research:
Found www.jakebrake.com contained all sorts of interesting info: complete List of Kit & Part Numbers, and PDF Parts and Installation Manuals.
At the beginning of Section 4: of the Installation Manual there is the WARNING "The vacuum pump just never be run without a vacuum load (i. e. open to atmosphere). If the pump is run with no load, the pump diaphram will fail..... connect the pump to the vacuum solenoid before running the engine. " And of course ended the warning with "Vacuum pump failure due to partial system installs and running the pump without vacuum load is not covered by brake warranty. "
Can only hope the Cummins shop knew what they were doing, since a new and constant rattling sound has developed from the area of the vaccum pump on the front of the engine. The thought being, with my luck: that if it wasn't "broke" before, it more than likely is surely broken now.
The Fix?
So, what do ya think? Vacuum pump gone bad? Vacuum relay stuck? Or... . ?
Have trouble trusting anyone's work & workmanship these days, so I may have to wait till Spring to do the work myself, [even if I've got to do it in a parking lot somewhere], just to make sure the job's done right.
Couldn't find a component cost breakdown, just know a complete TMVO '03 - '04 Exhaust Brake Kit will set you back just over $1300. Just a guess but I'd bet the vacuum pump is most of the kits cost. Already have a can of WD40 so we're talking about a huge cost differece here.
Situation:
Turned the exhaust brake on, it applied itself a couple seconds then quit working. Heard a constant loose rattling sound from exhaust pipe area below the turbo for a few days, then the noise quit. Turning on the exhaust brake, the gearshift light comes on but of course nothing happens.
What's been done:
Unfortunately living in an apartment ATM, my tools are in storage, have no place to work, and of course snow is threatening to fly [I'm a SoCal boy livin in Wis].
Called the local Dodge dealer but they didn't want to touch the problem for some reason, [lack of confidence, knowledge, or experience?]. Went to the closest authorized Cummins shop a couple towns away. When they tested the exhaust brake system, said the vacuum pump was only pulling 1" of vacuum & appeared to need replacement.
Internet Research:
Found www.jakebrake.com contained all sorts of interesting info: complete List of Kit & Part Numbers, and PDF Parts and Installation Manuals.
At the beginning of Section 4: of the Installation Manual there is the WARNING "The vacuum pump just never be run without a vacuum load (i. e. open to atmosphere). If the pump is run with no load, the pump diaphram will fail..... connect the pump to the vacuum solenoid before running the engine. " And of course ended the warning with "Vacuum pump failure due to partial system installs and running the pump without vacuum load is not covered by brake warranty. "
Can only hope the Cummins shop knew what they were doing, since a new and constant rattling sound has developed from the area of the vaccum pump on the front of the engine. The thought being, with my luck: that if it wasn't "broke" before, it more than likely is surely broken now.
The Fix?
So, what do ya think? Vacuum pump gone bad? Vacuum relay stuck? Or... . ?
Have trouble trusting anyone's work & workmanship these days, so I may have to wait till Spring to do the work myself, [even if I've got to do it in a parking lot somewhere], just to make sure the job's done right.
Couldn't find a component cost breakdown, just know a complete TMVO '03 - '04 Exhaust Brake Kit will set you back just over $1300. Just a guess but I'd bet the vacuum pump is most of the kits cost. Already have a can of WD40 so we're talking about a huge cost differece here.
