Thread: Retrospection on recent repairs

I posted earlier about getting the vacuum pump replaced on the 2.4 Puma. I did this as the usual symptoms were present i.e. oil on the underside of the bonnet and on the engine bay below this. Well having got the pump replaced and cleaned everything I was driving the Puma and I was still getting an oily smell in the vehicle. Pulled the bonnet and the underneath of the bonnet was covered in engine oil. Surely the new pump could not be faulty? Anyway investigations ensued. On the bend of the hose that goes from the manifold to the intercooler there was a slight crack. So I cleaned everything again, did a temporary repair on the hose and headed out. The result was no oily smell and no oil on the bonnet. Repair here , Temporary repair. Duly replaced the faulty hose.
Now I am wondering if the vacuum pump was not at fault at all and it was just this little tear in the hose that caused the mess. There is always some oil residue in the hose and the pressure it is under will force it out. Funnily enough I did not notice any loss of power due to this tear.
The only way to ascertain the real cause is to refit the old pump and gasket and go for a drive. Don't think I will bother.
So the lesson is if your engine bay is clattered in engine oil, it more than likely will be the vacuum pump needs replacing but check that hose first at the bend. It will not split anywhere else due to the outer sleeve. If it is the hose it will save you a lot of money. Me, I ended up replacing both items.

Now that you have a spare pump you'll never need it..... Until you decide to move it on.