With all that I read about the vacuum system in our Jaguars, it behooves me to consider a way of testing it before putting the dashboard back on. And it seems that the Mityvac is the tool of choice. Yes I would probably use it to bleed brakes and it might be nice to be able to provide pressure and vacuum.


Anybody have experience with the product (dumb question!) and have any recommendations for me. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I also want a decent running XJ6 and it does run lumpy at idle even though I've think I've addresses everything.


Thanks, Bill

 

I use a small vacuum pump from Harbor Freight for that kind of stuff.

(';')

 

They are having a big sale this weekend with 25% off coupon for Monday. I'll check them out - thanks.

 

Mityvac tools/pumps are good; I use them often....but I work on cars all day long

A lower cost alternative would fill the bill for occasional/hobbyist/single car use.

Cheers
DD

 

Agree. I have a pump from HF. Not quite like Elinor's, but similar. Quite useful for leak detection as well as brake bleeding.


And, as Doug opines, probably a bit wimpy for pro use. For dIY, just fine.


Will it evacuate an AC system and detect its ability to hold the vacuum? Probably not or would take a wrist shattering number of squeezes!!


Another way: The engine is a great pump. evacuate the test item,. use a vacuum guage to read the value and the ability to hold it. Not tried that one,


Vacum is indeed intriguing...


Carl

 

This is what I use for vacuum testing (see pic). I also have one like the one pictured on LnrB's post but I only use it for brake bleeding even though it could be used for testing engine vacuum and other vacuum controlled components on the car. However, MityVac is good stuff.

 

The mityvac hand pump is an essential tool of course for testing vacuum motors and such, but not great for leak finding. You can pull a vacuum and see if it holds (and assuming the tool itself does not leak), but that doesn't tell you WHERE the leak is. The best thing for that is a smoke generator. Automotive shops certainly have smoke machines costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, but in actuality, its a very simple device. There's even many how-to videos on the internet showing how to build one for under $30 but in the time you spend building one you could find the leak and have the car back together. Being a C3 Corvette enthusiast I bought one of these from Amazon


http://a.co/304wATR


because the designer of the C3's vacuum system was a mad scientist who grew up reading Rube Goldberg cartoons. After being summarily dismissed from GM for repeatedly failing to keep his designs within budget, he has not been heard from since, however it is believed he went to work for SPECTRE, the villainous NGO always trying to take over the world in subsequent BOND films.

 

I've had a mity vac for several years. It is a great tool. The only issue, I've had is the plastic arm broke in half, and rendered it useless, as you couldn't squeeze it. I cut a couple small pieces of steel and put them on both sides of the arm, and attached them with screws. The repair isn't beautiful but it is functional. I have also looked at the unit from Harbor Freight, and since its made of metal the arm should never break. The cheap looking construction worried me that it might leak??? So until my Mityvac breaks again, I'll stick with it.

 

Went to HF and bought a Mityvac discounted to $32!

pulled the vacuum line off the manifold that goes into the firewall, pumped and pumped until I built up 15lbs and it held just fine! And... When I got to 5lbs the heater valve closed! That's all a good sign, right?

 

That would be 15 in/hg = inches of mercury.
Since you were at HF, you should have looked at the other vacuum gauges they have.
Still at $32 that's a good deal.
2 days ago, I purchased their McPherson Strut Compressor for $39.95 to do the bushings on the rear shocks on my XJ40. Tool worked flawlessly. Job completed in about 2 1/2 hours.
IMHO, HF prices are good for tools that you may use only a couple of times. Not so good for constant usage.

 

What kind of vacuum should i be pulling with the engine at idle and at higher rpms? 4.2 liter, T/Stombergs

 

Check 12c posat for Pre he vacuum.


Grant has amplified in depth the consrpts inbvolved.


I t transcends .


apoogieied for the typos.
Off to watch the Indy 500!!!


Carl

 

if you want to find where the leak is, light up a cigarette and blow the smoke into one end of the hose and block the end with a finger. The smoke will come out where the leak is.

 

I bought a $30 Aldi fog machine for the kids years ago for birthday parties etc. It has had more use in the garage for finding vacuum leaks. Perfect tool for the job.