Where is the vacuum pump?
Where is the vacuum pump?
Vacuum pumps are typically located on or near the engine. Specifically, they are often found connected to the cylinder head and driven by the camshaft. Some newer designs, particularly in electric vacuum pumps, may be independent of the engine and can be switched on as needed.
This video shows the location of a vacuum pump on a BMW:
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Engine-mounted vacuum pumps:Many vacuum pumps are integrated into the engine’s lubrication system and are driven by the camshaft. These are common in older vehicles and some modern ones.
- Location on the engine:They can be found directly on the cylinder head, or sometimes at the end of the camshaft.
- Electric vacuum pumps:These are a newer development, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, and are not necessarily tied to the engine’s operation. They can be switched on as needed to maintain vacuum for systems like brake boosting.
- Potential issues:Vacuum pumps, especially those driven by the engine, can be prone to failure, particularly if the seals go bad or if they seize up.
- Specific location examples:
- Some BMW models have the vacuum pump at the back of the engine against the firewall, which can be difficult to access.
- On Volkswagen Tiguan models, the vacuum pump is at the back of the engine.
- On some Ford models, the pump is driven off the back of the camshaft.
- Some BMW models have the vacuum pump at the back of the engine against the firewall, which can be difficult to access.
This video shows how to replace the vacuum pump on a Volkswagen Tiguan:
Does a vacuum chamber have gravity?
