88' E350 7.3L: Stiff brakes + harsh shifting + non-functioning idler= vacuum pump issues?

[chinuppeter]

I was driving on the highway and my brakes suddenly became stiff (manual refers to it as a hard brake pedal). The engine idler had stopped working, and soon after the van started shifting harshly. This could be unrelated, but the insulation on the the left-side of the dog house is saturated with diesel fuel. I have minimal mechanical experience and very little knowledge of the engine's inner workings, but from what my mechanical-minded friend told me that it is probably a problem involving the vacuum pump. Also, the other forum involving stiff brakes suggested it could either be the vacuum pump or the booster pump.

In order to make this problem go away, will I need to replace the vacuum pump? Is there some sort of tests I should run through to make sure that is the problem?

I am currently traveling through South Carolina on a tour with my band, and have very little resources at my disposal (time, money, tools, + people to help). Would replacing the vacuum pump (if that is what I need to do) be something I could do myself with out much hassle or risk of making the situation worse due to insufficient knowledge? How much would it cost to replace the vacuum pump myself as opposed to a mechanic? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Peter

[Mr_Roboto]

By "engine idler" do you mean the belt idler pulley or do you mean a device which increases the idle speed (as used on ambulances)?

You have lost vacuum. The question is why?

Are the belts still on and turning?

Are your vacuum lines still connected to the vacuum pump?

My vans had the vacuum pump on the top of the motor, towards the drivers' side. Not sure if the old body style van is the same.

You're looking like something that looks like this: http://photos.thedieselstop.com/show...amp;thecat=998

[chinuppeter]

The van is an ambulance. The engine idler I spoke of is a button which increases the idle speed. I've been having other issues as well, but I'm not sure if they are related in any way. First, when I went to inspect the car this morning, it wouldn't start. I'm not certain if the issue is related, but the battery was drained and I had not left any lights on or anything. I had been having trouble starting the car recently, and air was getting in the engine. I bled the engine several times and finally realized the diesel fuel filter needed to be changed. I changed the fuel filter and it started after 3-4 tries the next morning. However, the fuel filter light came on immediately after I changed it.

As far as the power pump goes, I inspected the belts and found that one of them had snapped. From what I could gather, it is supposed to run from the power pump diagonally down and to the right and attach to a circular piece (I can't figure out the name). I'm not sure what this belt is called, so I will probably need to know the name of it in order to replace it. How easy would this belt be to change myself? How much do they run? Where do I get them? Thanks for the help.

peter

[chinuppeter]

Okay. I just figured out that the belt actually hooks up to the alternator, which I would guess would explain the battery not being charge. Any suggestions on what to do?

[Mr_Roboto]

Um - replace the belt?

Make sure that everything turns freely. The alternator will spin easily, the vacuum pump will turn a little by hand but turns hard.

Does your van have V-belts or a serpentine belt?

[chinuppeter]

The van has v belts. I gather that the belt in question is called the alternator (fan drive) belt, correct? So basically all I need to do is loosen the tension on the belts in the way, remove the other belts, install the new belt, and then return the belts to the tension specifications from the manual. I think I can do that. Unless, of course, I'm forgetting some key element to the process. Please let me know if that is the case.

peter

[Mr_Roboto]

Sounds about right. Just make sure nothing is frozen up which would burn the new belt off.