Hello,

I have been told by an ex toyota mechanic that the loud tapping noise coming from the engine bay (when the engine is hot), is caused by the vacuum pump that is mounted on top of the cam cover. He says that this is common especially on Lucida's. I have no reason to doubt this.

(This is a 3CT engine, i believe that the 2CT engine does not have the pump on top of the cover).

The mechanic says the vac pump is around £800 from toyota or £250 for "overhauled" item. Question is, is it possible to fix the pump myself. I work in an engineering workshop. Has someone done this before and is there a diagram somewhere on the site?

- (#9381) mark collett, 2 Jul 03 6:32

it's just a diaphragm pump mounted on the cam cover. One of the cam lobes (no.5 or 6?) operates it. If you've still got vacuum, there can't be much wrong with it. Sticking valve or slightly worn pushrod perhaps?
Interestingly enough, valve clearances open up on these engines as they warm, so it could be a valve issue. There's no parts available for the pump according to the cd, but an aftermarket overhaul kit may be available, I don't know.

Umm, what kind of liteace is it? I've never seen a 3C in anything other than an import, and never seen the top mounted vacuum pump on a turbo'd liteace/ townace...
The top mount pump is common to all late applications of the C- series in cars, however, so if you need to swap a pump,you can get one out of a Corolla, Carina, Picnic, etc.

- (#9382) david miller, 2 Jul 03 8:02

Thanks for the info, I've been reading the site for a long time now but first time i've used it. No problem with the brake vacuum but the slow loud tapping noise is driving me bonkers.The liteace is a 1995 2.2 turbo diesel import. I looked at the vac pump from lucida's and it is a slightly different shape and wont fit the cam cover but I will try the cars for a possible replacement. Yes it is strange that the tapping becomes louder as the engine warms, must be something to do with the change in viscosity of the oil with increase in temperature,heat expansion normally quietens down an engine. I'll break the pump down and have a looksee. Can anyone recommend a company that might be able to repair such a component?

- (#9383) mark collett, 3 Jul 03 6:34

mark , just have a look and see if the valve springs are ok - you might find you have a broken/fractured one
jim

- (#9458) j adgo, 3 Jul 03 9:04

Hi Guys
I recently bought a 3C non turbo engine from overseas.
It looks like it needs some kind of computer, which
I can't get. The accelerator cable is not connected
to the pump. It also has a stepper motor controlling
a butterfly valve in the inletmanifould. I suppose
one can leave the valve open but how can I control
the dieselpump? Please answer to my E-mail address.

- (#9608) Andre Kriel, 13 Jul 03 16:55

That's a 3c-e engine, and isn't much use without the computer, sensors, etc. Best to put the pump from your own engine onto it.
The butterfly valve is probably for EGR control, but might also be used to make the engine shut down more smoothly. Either way it can safely be locked open.

- (#9609) david miller, 14 Jul 03 2:42