CaptainDean wrote:
WWDiesel,
I was not implying that the internal vacuum pump might fail, I was expressing I'd like to get the vacuum pump's exhaust out of the crankcase. The possible fault might be a failed hose or diaphragm that would allow a large volume of air to get vacuumed into the crankcase -- possibly more than the crankcase ventilation system could handle. The final fault might be another cause of pushing the front main seal out.
In a quest for a failure having the least consequences, I'd rather see the crankcase ventilation oil separator pushed out of the valve cover than the front main seal pushed out of place. I'd rather have a "fail safe" than a "fail catastrophe". Unfortunately the crankcase ventilation oil separator is bolted in, and the front main seal is only pressed is -- probably with some gasket sealer to help glue it in. (I may remove the bolts in the crankcase ventilation oil separator and hold it in with gasket sealer instead of installing an external vacuum pump.)
I do, however, see some practical and handy uses for your idea of a small air compressor in place of the viscous heater. Have you explored that avenue? You could offer those for sale along with your viscous heater replacement idler pulleys.
Dean.
The diesel XJ's (export only) up to about 1998 had a vac pump on the back of the alternator. There are many other diesels like this. The internal vac pump was seen as improvement. My XJ (2000 MY) has the internal one. Never been a problem. Both are vane type vac pumps.
How much blow-by are you seeing?
A part from a vac leak or driving with your left foot resting on the brake peddle, its unlikely that vac pump is the problem. I have seen failed brake booster diaphragms causing vac problems.