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Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:39 pm

I need to replace the vacuum line between the intake manifold and the brake booster on my 79 CA Westy. I sent this email to the guys at german supply, but I thought I'd repost it here as well for the wise advice from the samba forums :)

Quote: Hi, I'm looking to completely replace all plastic/rubber between the intake manifold and the brake booster on my bus.

I've removed the existing vacuum lines (which had leaks in TWO places!) and I've attached photos of them. I don't know if this is the stock line or not, but the majority of it is made of a hard plastic, not rubber. The only portion of the line which I did not remove (and is not photographed) is a metal tube which runs under the bus between the long and short pieces of vacuum line.

I would like some expert advice on exactly what I need to purchase. So far I think I need

1x Vacuum Tee Decel Valve http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16987
5x Grommet Brake Servo Check Valve http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17051&cat=293&page=6
1x http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16638
7 feet http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17046&cat=293&page=5

Am I missing anything? Is there anything else that you don't sell that I'll need? Thanks!

PS if the attached photos don't work you can view them here: http://picasaweb.google.com/benjamin.lee.smith/BusShots#5436469690371001698 and here: http://picasaweb.google.com/benjamin.lee.smith/BusShots#5436469700912662546

Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:31 pm

why not try getting the parts from a local vw shop?

Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:43 am

I tried at BAP Import Parts and got completely shut down :( They couldn't offer me anything as far as hose that was big enough and wouldn't collapse under vacuum. And the small specific parts they just weren't able to find/order.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 8:48 am

When I replaced mine I purchased the hose (cloth covered rubber reinforced with wire mesh) from German Supply. Don't over-think it ! :D

Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:04 am

atmellovw: did you use this stuff? http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17046&cat=293&page=5

Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:24 am

the rubber line will work perfectly as a replacement for the hard plastic, but i think it would be better to use a good used plastic piece, mostly to keep things original and also because the holes and grommet where the plastic hose pass through would need to be modified - the rubber is larger OD.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:29 am

Funny, I just replaced mine yesterday. I found 1/2in ID brake vac hose at my flaps and it works great.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 2:35 pm

benjamin.smith wrote: I tried at BAP Import Parts and got completely shut down

BAP is an import auto parts distributor and not a VW parts house. They have a lot of common VW parts and I I get a lot from them. However for any unusual non common part don't waste your time there. There are other VW specific parts houses in town. But I'd doubt that they carry any of the parts you need and would have to do some research and then order them if they could ever find listings. You could do that easier than they could.
For hose I went to an industrial hose supply house and got quality hose specifically for vacuum.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:38 pm

try NAPA and ask for brake booster hose. take a section of the old to compare. inexpenive and good quality.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 8:14 pm

benjamin.smith wrote: atmellovw: did you use this stuff? http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17046&cat=293&page=5

Yes

Wed Feb 10, 2010 8:41 pm

the connectors can be rigged with parts from a part store but it will take some searching to get all the Y's, angles, barbs and sizes. If you use a stock plastic one you will also need the rubber end inserts. Our PO cut the one on our bus and jury rigged it, it was pretty poor. We bought an entire used plastic line from the metal connection back that came off a salvage bus and replaced the rubber innards at the ends. That and some stock other rubber parts and it works like a champ.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:09 am

My 75 FI 1800 does not have the servo check valve. It has a similar part but is not the same. I am fighting a high idle right now and trying to contain all the vacuum leaks. Could this part be the problem?

Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:16 am

'75 valve is located in a different location and looks different.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:17 am

AllensRiviera wrote: My 75 FI 1800 does not have the servo check valve. It has a similar part but is not the same. I am fighting a high idle right now and trying to contain all the vacuum leaks. Could this part be the problem?

The check valve shouldn't effect idle, it does prevent booster damage in a backfire event and maintains stored vacuum for stopping when the engine dies. If you are skeptical about it disconnect the line from the plenum tee and plug the hole in the tee, any change in the way it runs?

Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:50 am

germansupplyscott wrote: i think it would be better to use a good used plastic piece, mostly to keep things original and also because the holes and grommet where the plastic hose pass through would need to be modified - the rubber is larger OD.

shameless plug: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=816493

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:27 am

buy it. even if we lose a bit of a sale for some rubber hose, it's a better solution.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:27 am

AllensRiviera wrote: My 75 FI 1800 does not have the servo check valve. It has a similar part but is not the same. I am fighting a high idle right now and trying to contain all the vacuum leaks. Could this part be the problem?

Have you tried to just remove the connection and seal it off with duct tape to see if the problem really is part of the "engine to brake servo" line?

Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:35 am

Gates makes rubber vacuum line that's perfect for this. It's 15/32 inside diameter. I have the part number at home, sorry. My local Carquest has it in stock. I use it on all the buses from 1971 on.

Found it on a Google search: click here