Vacuum pump oil line.

[silverfox441]

So last week i'm minding my own business at work when i get a phone call from wifey. "hey listen" says she, "i was about to turn off the motor at the bank and just before i did that, the oil light came on!". "Please tell me you shut the darn thing off right away" i pleaded. "oh yes, and at that moment, a guy came to my window and warned me i was leaving a large trail of oil behind the van, from 104th to 108th ave." #$%@^^%$#$@!!! Ok, so i told her to call a cab, don't let anyone start the engine and got the thing towed to the hangar at YVR (fringe benefits of work...). When it got here, i looked: yep barely any oil left. So i dumped 4 litres in the engine and started it. Couldn't miss it, it's coming from the end of the oil line right at the vacuum pump, the one with the banjo fittings. Found one for 50 bucks at Amazing auto Imports. He said that when people replace the alternator/vacuum pump, they neglect to replace that little hose as well.

It's easy enough to do yourself, but the only way you are going to be able to reach the other end of that line is by removing the oil filter. After that it's pretty much straight forward. Don't forget the copper washers!
Now we were lucky because it happened at idle and my wife noticed it because she was looking at the dash board. I checked for metal fillings and such and strange noises after i was done: all is well. Like i said, lucky. Now i'm installing a light/buzzer combo because there is no way you can see that friging warning light in broad day light.

I strongly suggest you guys take a quick look at that line.

Alan.

[helibrian]

That exact same thing happened to me a year ago. I notice a larger than normal oil spot under my car (5" diameter ) and told my wife we had to go to canadian tire because I needed more oil. Good thing it was only 2 km away because it left a line of oil all the way there. I think the life on the line is 23 years.i used a clamp and some rubber tape from canadian tire to get me to maximum overdrive for a new line.

[almac]

so I guess this is something I should have a look at when I swap my alternator?