Who's ready for round two of 'What did Scrovak find in his truck?'

[scrovak]

Hey all, thanks for your help in determining it was an EGR pipe I had a crack in, in the last thread. I just replaced my spark plugs and wires Sunday with the great help I found in another thread here. While doing so, I removed my right splash guard, and this little guy tumbled out. I didn't see any markings or indicators to identify it... I didn't have time to trace the lines, because the lift bay rental place was closing up soon, but this appears to have been mounted to the front side of the splash guard. One of the two lines is broken. General consensus at the shop was a vacuum pump, but for what? I was told it was likely for my wiper fluid, but both the front and rear sprayers work. So I have no idea what it is. And I was laughed at. I owned up to it, like I said last time, I don't have any exploded diagrams for troubleshooting, so if anyone here knows a great place to find any (especially electronic, i.e. IETMs), that would help a lot. But until then, could someone tell me what the hell this is for? Thanks guys

-John

 

[dustinjorge]

That's the vacuum ball thingie (technical term)... when mine was disconnected, the heater controls didn't function correctly (stuck on defrost I believe). IIRC it has those two lines into one side as shown and one line coming out of the other side of it. The sticker under your hood should give you routing info.

Also, the reason mine came apart initially is because it was struck by my oversized tires before the TT, so just to be safe I relocated it up under the airbox.

 

[scrovak]

That's the vacuum ball thingie (technical term)... when mine was disconnected, the heater controls didn't function correctly (stuck on defrost I believe). IIRC it has those two lines into one side as shown and one line coming out of the other side of it. The sticker under your hood should give you routing info.

Also, the reason mine came apart initially is because it was struck by my oversized tires before the TT, so just to be safe I relocated it up under the airbox.

It affected your heater controls? Do you think this little sumbitch could be the reason I only have defrost, like yours? Ha! That's crazy, I have no leg or torso blowers, but my truck will defrost like a champ all day every day. Wow. Ok, are the lines themselves replaceable, or will I have to replace the entire unit, ball, lines, and all?

 

[obie]

Ford factory service manuals can be found here:

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/retail/default.asp?pageid=&gutsid=&kevin=rules

These include electrical and vacuum diagrams and trouble shooting.

There is also a torrent for them, though I won't link to it. A google search should though...

Lines are replaceable with any proper ID vacuum hose, available at many parts stores. Unless the ball is bad, you shouldn't need to replace it. Now would be a good time to check all your different vacuum hoses too, as they tend to become brittle over time and snap easily.

 

[dustinjorge]

First thing I'd do is find the line that plugs into the other side (which is prob hanging around under the airbox somewhere), plug it in, and see if you have heater controls again.

 

[koda2000]

there's supposed to be 2 bolts holding the vacuum ball to the bottom of the passenger side splash panel/inner fender. they must have fallen out, and yes both vacuum lines need to be connected to something. one will go to the intake manifold the other splits up and goes to a couple of different places.

 

[drdoom]

Koda is right one of those lines goes to the heater control valve (which I think is just for MAX AC), and also into the firewall for the defrost doors.

 

[drdoom]

Scrovak, if you haven't already, go ahead and pull the inner fender, not just the splash guard. You can see all kinds of stuff once you pull that out. Its worthwhile to pull it down.

 

[bobflood]

Folks - FYI, that black ball is called the "vacuum reservoir." Engine vacuum is used to move the doors that direct air flow inside the truck; so this prevents the air flow doors from changing every time you accelerate or do something else to change manifold vacuum level. (Anyone else here old enogh to remeber when some windshield wipers were vacuum operated?? Just as you are passing someone in the rain/snow - your wipers stop!!) With no vacuum, like when it's broken or disconnected, the default air position is "defrost." Good luck.

 

[kert0307]

Folks - FYI, that black ball is called the "vacuum reservoir." Engine vacuum is used to move the doors that direct air flow inside the truck; so this prevents the air flow doors from changing every time you accelerate or do something else to change manifold vacuum level. (Anyone else here old enogh to remeber when some windshield wipers were vacuum operated?? Just as you are passing someone in the rain/snow - your wipers stop!!) With no vacuum, like when it's broken or disconnected, the default air position is "defrost." Good luck.

We had an old 50's chevy dump truck on the farm growing up that had this... floor it and the wipers would stop, let off and they'd run at hyper speed. Fun old truck to drive, it's at a farm museum now, still working when they have farm demonstrations.

 

[drdoom]

My first vehicle the 1967 Bronco had those vacuum wipers...good ol' days.

 

[dustinjorge]

Vacuum Ball Thingy

 

[scrovak]

Thanks all for everyone's help and information. I went to AZ to try and find a connector to join the broken lines, however the smallest they had was 1/8", which was the exact diameter of the line - too big to work. So I clipped a piece off the end of the broken line and had him get me a hose that would slide over it, which ended up being a 7/64" vacuum/fluid hose. He cut me a foot of line for about a dollar. I cut the foot in half because I didn't need all that, and slipped each end over the broken ends of the line, pictured below. Total repair cost: $1.09 +MD sales tax. I may throw some electrical or duct tape over the ends at some point but, for now, it looks like it's holding well!

 

[obie]

Make sure that you route it away from your upper control arm so it doesn't hit during suspension travel and snap the plastic lines in another spot.

 

[drdoom]

Scrovak all of mine are patched like that, although I do plan to put new hard lines in someday.

 

[Turdle]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192842&highlight=vacuum+reservoir+globe

^^ That thread will help others who stumble in here