lewissa81

^^^^ agreed. I wouldn't be opposed to clearing the lines out with compressed air. Only if they are disconnected from everything (including check valves, selonoids, vacuum reserve box, actuators), and using a small amount of pressure (25psi max).

Aeromech

Update:

Today I troubleshot the system and found that the drivers side IWE was bad so I replaced it. The passenger side works like it should now but on the drivers side the IWE is not getting vacuum and is always connected to the drive shaft. The vacuum line appeared to be blocked and I did find what looked like rust or red dust on both ends. It will not blow freely when disconnected at both ends. Just wondering if I got one of the check valves backwards? Or, maybe the line is actually blocked but I'm having a hard time tracing it because it disappears into the engine. Anyone have any tips on the drivers side vacuum routing and where to look for blockage?

lewissa81

Good job trouble shooting. That does sound like the line is blocked to me. If I remember correctly, without looking, there is one line coming out of the engine with the check valves, and into the solenoid. From the solenoid, and it splits off right at the passenger side shock tower. The driver side line runs down to a cross member, and across it to the IWE. I would use some type of small flexible cable (spedometer cable maybe) to fish it through the line gently. If you have access to an air compressor, you could try to force it out from the top. Be careful doing that though. Blow the air in the lines after the solenoid and check valves, disconnect both IWE'S, and use less than 25psi. I'm not sure what the lines can handle, but I know mine pull 22 psi, so in theory 25 psi should be safe. If you can't get the blockage cleared, then you'll have to replace the line.

VTX1800N1

Your vacuum might be 22", but that is by no means the same as 22 psi. You MUST disconnect the lines from the solenoid, check valves, IWEs, and vacuum reservoir if you are going to blow them out. I would only use a can of compressed air like that used to clean computers.

Both sides are connected and there are no check valves between the solenoid and either side. If one side has no vacuum, it either has a blockage or leak.

lewissa81

After a sleeping and some coffee, that makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up. I guess you really do learn something new every day.

Aeromech

I still haven't found the "air box" but I'm probably looking right at it. Today when I get home I'll start going through the system again. The drivers side IWE is locked so between home and work this morning that drive shaft was turning. I tried to keep my speeddown to 60 mph for the 8 mile drive. The passeneger side unlocked so that shaft isn't turning.

The rubber hoses come off the drivers side IWE and go straight up where there's some kind of connector. At that point black plastic hose continues forward and then straight down where it probably passes over to the passenger side. I need to spend time and carefully look this all over. I still wonder if I have one check valve in backwards so I'll first remove that check and see if any air will from from the IWE side. Then I'll know if the line is truely blocked. Thanks for the help guys.

Aeromech

Conclusion:

I just wanted to return here and fill you all in on the actual fix for my problem. The drivers side IWE was jammed so it wouldn't freely move in and out. That was replaced but I do plan on taking a close look at the old one to see why it jammed. The second problem was a plugged vacuum line running to the drivers side IWE. Last night I was able to clear the line with about 50 psi of shop air. All works well now. I also removed the battery and found that the air box is actually attached to the outboard wall of the battery box. This was tested and found to be good. I have no idea why dirt gets into the system but as part of a 100K maintenance I think first a functional check of the IWE's would be advisable as awell as maybe blowing out the lines and inspecting the check valves. Dirt causes the check valves to flow both ways and they can be cleaned and returned to service. Thank you all for your help and advice.

lewissa81

Glad to hear that you got her fixed up!

60DRB

I can't believe I'm reading this...

VTX1800?

VTX1800N1

Yeah, pretty much what I told him it would be from the beginning.