Has anyone heard of an aftermarket vacuum pump that can be installed in place of the viscous heater? I'd like to move the engine vacuum pump out of the crankcase and have it external.

The viscous heater is not necessary in the tropics. I have already disconnected the viscous clutch wires and re-plumbed the heating system to bypass the viscous heater. This simplifies the heater hoses and opens up an area too crowded with heater hoses. The heater is not necessary in the tropics either; but since the Liberty is a nice vehicle I should keep it working.

I even plan to run the heater hoses off the engine to eliminate the metal hoses mounted on the engine. This change would also remove the vacuum steel tubing from behind the AC pump / alternator mega bracket. Making this change would eliminate a problematic blow-by system of having far too much airflow.

Any ideas out there? Any warnings? Any experience with the same issue?

Dean.

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2005 Jeep Liberty 2.8L CRD 248
Kona, Hawaii (Big Island) USA

Changed Turbo.
100,000-mile service.
Replaced harmonic balancer.
Noise in front axle or 3rd member - removed loose chain in transfer case.
Rebuilt engine - replaced #3 cylinder, piston, valves, head repair. Removed EGR.
Sheared bolts on TC. Replaced flex plate, TC, bolts.