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Topic: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/23/16 1:34pm Message 1 of 7
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
Since there is a vacuum reservoir, I would have thought that even if there were a significant vacuum leak that it would take at least a few seconds for the vacuum to drop to zero after turning the engine off, but it immediately drops to zero (I checked this with a vacuum gauge hooked up to to the vacuum lines).
I don't hear any vacuum leaking (although I don't have a vacuum pump to test with), so I don't understand why the vacuum drops so quickly.
I have replaced the vacuum check-valve and filter.
All of the vacuum operated controls seem to work fine with the engine running.
Any ideas of what to look for?


   

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Re: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/23/16 8:02pm Message 2 of 7
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
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Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Could the vacuum reservoir be leaking?  Mine is just a large tin can.


1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/23/16 9:16pm Message 3 of 7
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
73shark said: Could the vacuum reservoir be leaking?  Mine is just a large tin can.

This is a 75, which uses the tubler front frame piece as the reservoir.  I would think that a leak large enough to drain it in a second when the engine is shut off would be enough to keep the vacuum components from working even when the engine is running.





   

Re: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/23/16 11:06pm Message 4 of 7
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Overland Park, KS - USA
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Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
My bad,I was thinking of the earlier reservoir. You could use a Mityvac to check the tank and sections of hose.


1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/24/16 6:13am Message 5 of 7
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The engine has to be running to get vacuum from the intake manifold. The fraction of a second you turn off  the engine it creates a negative pressure. If you have the car running with headlights on and forget to close them when you shut the car off they stay up. You need to restart engine to have vacuum to close them. That is how they operate. To get a better explanation I googled does a corvette engine need to be running for vacuum. Then scroll down to superchevy site. http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vemp-0212-corvette-vacuum-systems-guide/

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Re: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/24/16 7:53am Message 6 of 7
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BillHanna said: (I checked this with a vacuum gauge hooked up to to the vacuum lines).


The question is, WHERE did you have the gauge connected? Anywhere other than in the headlight circuit, the vac WILL go to 0 with the engine off. The headlights(and wiper door on early models) are the only components(other than the brake booster, which has it's own separate vac source & check valve) that retain vacuum with the engine off. The headlights should be able to operate for a short time after the engine is off from the vac reservoir. Thumbs Up




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Re: Vacuum goes to zero as soon as engine is turned off

Posted: 12/24/16 8:20am Message 7 of 7
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
Adams' Apple said:
BillHanna said: (I checked this with a vacuum gauge hooked up to to the vacuum lines).


The question is, WHERE did you have the gauge connected? Anywhere other than in the headlight circuit, the vac WILL go to 0 with the engine off. The headlights(and wiper door on early models) are the only components(other than the brake booster, which has it's own separate vac source & check valve) that retain vacuum with the engine off. The headlights should be able to operate for a short time after the engine is off from the vac reservoir. Thumbs Up



Ah, that makes a lot of sense.  I checked it just past the check valve off of the intake manifold.  I need to get a "Y" fitting so I can check it at the vacuum tank.
I didn't know there was more than one check valve.
Thanks!




   

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