Vacuum Pump

[MikeZR-1]

I have an 03 E-350 7.3 with Dp tuner and 4" exhaust runs great but I have replaced 3 vacuum pumps in the last 10 months. I have been using Napa parts, should I go back to factory parts or do I have a bigger problem.

[knightda8]

I am one of the fleet mechanics for a fleet of about 30 ambulances. I will say this.... we use new pumps from Ford exclusivly... I think they are almost a hundred bucks more at trade price, but it is just to hard a job on a 6.0L E-series to chance a remanufactured part. We've considered trying a Napa pump on some of the old 7.3L engines (since it is a quick job), but havent gotten around to it. Your story suggests we shouldnt.

I find it pretty hard to believe you are doing anything wrong installation wise. Most of the errors you can make would result in a dropped belt.

--Doug Knight

[MikeZR-1]

I have checked everything more than once, the pump that's on now is making a strange noise. When I start the van I can hear the pump working it's a bit strange, I ordered a new one from Ford, Screw Nappa.

[Premier Kirby]

I am not surprised that your getting bad parts from napa or other auto parts stores. I have noticed in the last so many years the quality of these auto store parts are terrible when talking moving parts & rebuilds such as starters & alternators. I have had 2 starters go bad that I bought at o'reillys one was spinning but not engageing the solinoid this was RIGHT out of the box . & the 2nd one went bad in 3 months & left me in my driveway when I really had to get moving. (this is on a 02 ford e-350 that I own 7.3 liter) . Yea sure they advertise that they are have "lifetime warranty" sure, but you have to get stranded & keep doing the labor of swapping parts all the time. They have these rebuilt in China or Mexico with unskilled labor with cheap parts that go to the lowest bidder, Im sure there is SO much markup on these parts that they can afford to keep handing you another POS. Someone told me some of these mexican "rebuild" operations just dump a pile of starters alternators etc on the table & tell these workers to keep swapping out parts until they get it to test good & then put a coat of paint on so they look great in the box.
I got a bad alternator that put out low voltage as well.

I go to the dealer now or bring my stuff into a local reputable rebuild shop that does them on site for fleet users.

good luck.

[AGcountry]

I would stick to Ford parts also. That being said, my Ford vacuum pump went out on me, but i discovered a vacuum leak, so I assume the pump was being overworked.

[u2slow]

Looked into Hydroboost and an electric vacuum pump?

Just tossing the idea out there because its a supposed to be a fairly good upgrade on the F-series.

[knightda8]

My ambulance company has a few Sprinter ambulances (2.7L turbo diesel) which use an electric vacuum pump..... over 500,000 miles combined.... no brake vacuum issues.

We also have a few older (2001ish) 7.3L E450's with hydroboost.... again zero issues.

Diaphragm vacuum pumps suck.... or more accurately.... often they dont suck.... I decided.

I wonder if you could steal a hydroboost setup from an E450..... prolly more costly and more trouble than it is worth.... but it would be a cool project.

--Doug Knight

[MikeZR-1]

How hard is it to switch to hydro boost and electric.