Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Vacuum

[Driftwood Ram]

Any suggestions on finding a vacuum leak other then just replacing hoses???

Thanks

 

[y-knot]

It just comes down to isolating sections one at a time. Our trucks are pretty simple, the vac pump is located on the drivers side, front of engine. From that a line comes off and runs to the firewall, there if feeds three basic areas. First is to the cruise control, second to the inside HVAC controls, and third to the transfer case and front axle disconect. If you have a vacume tester kit, like something they sell at sears, you just unplug one section at a time and check it out. Once you find the bad section, start going thru it till you find the source of the leak. Don't be supprised if you find several leaks. The two biggest problems are old or rotten hoses, and vacume motors with bad bellows. Seems like alot of people have a problem with the four-way block located on the transfer case, and the de-froster vacume actuator under the dash. Oh, before you do anything, check the vacume reading at the pump.

 

[Deezul1]

There is a warranty on vaccum system parts for the 96 Cummins trucks that is good for 7 years unlimited miles. I believe the # is 710. It may not show up as a warranty but its real if you have a good dealer. I had my 96 done and my dealer is as bad as it gets but they did it. It involves the seal on the vacum pump allowing oil into the vacum system and ruining all vacum related components

 

[illflem]

Here's the recall Deezel speaks of http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/720.htm

 

[BBenz]

I have a question about this extended warranty on the recall. Is it 7 years from the date of the truck or 7 years from the date of the recall? The reason I am asking is because my truck is a 96 that I bought new (February of 1996) and had it in for the recall when it first came out. They put on the new hose to the brake master cylinder and the check valve.



My hvac controls recently stuck on defrost which tells me that I have lost vacuum to them. Winter is quickly approaching and the little lady does not like her tootsies to get cold! I can work on the hvac myself, however, if Dodge is going to do it for free I will have them do it. I believe that even though the truck had the recall done, that if anything else happened to the system during the warranty period that Dodge would be on the hook and not me.



Anybody want to chime in here and let me know if this it true and when the warranty actually expires? Thanks!

 

[Bob4x4]

The dates have always been from the delivery date not the relaese date of the recall..... sorry



Bob

 

[illflem]

I'm not too sure of that Bob, think it's warranted seven years from the date when the recall is performed.

If you can read lawyer speak it's probably here

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/D-97-10.htm



"Remember, the warranty is on the vehicle and owners were notified in mid-May of 1997. Therefore, there could be new vehicle owners that are unaware of this unique situation. Repairs that are related to the failure of these vacuum LOP's listed above, or the 720 Recall are reimbursable.



Therefore, there could be new vehicle owners that are unaware of this unique situation. Repairs that are related to the failure of these vacuum LOP's listed above, or the 720 Recall are reimbursable. Related failures that are out of 3/36 warranty and beyond your goodwill parameters must have DM or Zone involvement. They will have to be submitted with 3/36 covered LOP"s, not the Bulletin LOP'S, and will require authorization. Strong cause and correction documentation should appear on the repair order.



Repairs that customers have paid for are eligible for reimbursement from Chrysler. Owners are directed to file directly with Chrysler for reimbursement to the address on page 2 of D-97-10. Keep in mind that dealer reimbursement will usually result in a 19G (excessive special services) situation and will hold up your dealers money. "

 

[RedRamer]

another good spot to check is under the front driver side battery. Acid leak over the years does the vacuum line in. Under there you got the cruise vacuum thing-a-ma-jig.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Problem Solved !!

The recall was done.

I guess I should have been more specific in my first post, but I was not sure if the leak and the Pac Brake were one and the same. Anyway, the problem was the Pac Brake Vacuum Cylinder. The brake has not been working correctly for some time. I finally got a vacuum gage and was able to work on it without guessing what was going on. Had good vacuum on both the apply and release lines but the brake would not always close completely and when it did sometimes it would not release.

Did the vacuum solenoid cleaning, and even bought a new one because every time I was told "clean it again".