Bpierre

I recently had to change the vacuum pump on my 2012 ecoboost F150. Appaenrtly they are known to fail. I found out that in 2014 Ford switched to a mechanical pump instead of the electric that is on the 2011-2013. Just wandered if anyone knew how hard it would be to convert from the old pump to the new one? It looks like the new one is driven off the cam shaft so I'm not sure if there are major differences

packplantpath

I have no. clue.

But what did it cost and how hard was it? Or did you pay for the dealer to do it?

Bpierre

Easy to swap out, one vacuum line, one electrical connection and two bolts. Ford wanted $650 for the pump but I found it at rock auto for $325. Mechanical pump from ford is $90, probably cheaper online.

dieselhunter44

I'm guessing the new pump is engine driven?

packplantpath

Yikes! At least the install was easy. I've heard that several of these have failed and started getting loud. Did you lose brake boost or just noisy?

itguy08

Also curious why the trucks need one? The car's with the Ecoboost don't have any sort of auxiliary vacuum pump and the brakes work fine. I wonder if it needs more vacuum to run the hubs?

Bpierre

Not sure exactly why it's needed. I did notice the line comes off the intake manifold so maybe the turbos pumping air into the engine produces to much positive pressure? Just a thought. Also to answer packplantpath I did not lose brake pressure just very noisy, however after some dis-assembly of the old pump I am pretty sure it was not functioning. The pump is assembled with what look like plastic rivets and I think they did not hold. The inside was full of salt. We have had a lot of snow and I think all the salt from the road had made it's way inside....what a piece of junk!

Logan24

Here's a pic of it for reference guys.
I'm assuming if the mechanical one runs off the motor it will be in a separate location, which would lead me to believe it's not just a simple switch. But that's just my speculation. In my opinion it's not worth touching unless it goes on it's own.

packplantpath

I've been told it's job I'd to provide vacuum to the brake booster since the manifold can't provide it during boost. Makes sense to me.

So that looks like easy access behind the drivers side headlight. That is good.

xcntrk

That is why. The brake system is vacuum assist meaning it needs negative (vacuum) pressure to provide power assistance to the manual pedal pressure. On a non-turbo motor, no problem the "suck" of the intake is constantly providing ample vacuum pressure. However on a forced induction setup like the ecoboost, the turbos are applying positive pressure on the intake and jamming air into the cyclinders. This means no vacuum is present to support the power assist brakes. To no surprise, you only hear the vacuum pump kick on when you're on positive turbo pressure. This is why many who use their eco for towing hear it frequently as they're at a constant turbo spool rolling down the road with a load.

It's a little unnerving; what happens when these pumps fail and you loose brake assist part of the time while running down the road?