(Home) alternator vacuum pump

I was putting my alternator back on the car today and was just undoing the screw top to the vacuum pump hose (diesel 2CT) to reconnect when I was distracted for a second and lifted my hand without realising that I had reached the end of the thread. As I pulled my hand up the bolt (or whatever it is called - only about half an inch long and holding the ball shaped oil hose connector) flew up and down into the open engine cavity.

Now I have looked absolutlely everywhere inside there. Under the various AC widgets, inside the cross-members, over the wheel arches, behind the radiator etc. etc. etc. but I just can't find the little beast. I have tried magnets, plastic prodders, hosing obscure cavities with water (useful tip - an old toilet duck bottle helps washing out inside the engine compartment). No joy.

So it looks like I will have to go and buy a new one. Now does anyone happen to know the dimensions of this little beast or have access to a parts reference. The engine manual is a little odd in this respect in that my alternator doesn't seem to resemble either of the two versions covered. Or are these things a standard size that any decent factor should stock. I'm not too keen to go dumping a big oily lump of metal on shop displays when all I want is a 20p bolt.

Or is there some chamber I have yet to discover where these fallen bits go to hide.

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

- (#756) Jim Tang, 16 Apr 05 14:38

Vacuum hose or oil hose?
If it's the top oil hose, you need 9040110006, if it's the main vacuum hose banjo it'll be 9040109001.

But yes, try your factor (or even better a motorcycle shop). If you can work out the diameter, thread pitch, and length there *might* be a common application for it. Somewhere that makes up Goodrich hoses for rally cars and motorcycles is your best bet...

- (#756) David Miller, 16 Apr 05 15:39

Jim. From the CD illustration, I think your description refers to the union bolt which holds the "banjo" end of the oil hose, to the vacuum pump body. The oil INLET hose bango bolt is part No 90401-10006. The oil OUTLET hose banjo bolt is part No 90401-14006 and your Toyota dealer should be able to help. My opinion is that these two bolts only differ slightly in length. Are you able to remove the remaining inlet or outlet bolt to take to a factor for matching. This type of bango bolt is used in many applications for oil, petrol, etc and a good factor will stock them. There will be a two washers (possibly copper) on each of these bolts, ie, fitted either side of the banjo union.
Where to look ? The Ace engine compartment is notorious for hiding dropped items. Has it dropped between the power steering pump body and the block, just under the vacuum pump? Is it nestling in the P/S pump pulley groove ? Is it sitting on the offside torsion bar, wedged against the chassis ? Also, that gap between the sump and the front axle members can easily hide a lost item. I find that a very small mirror, taped, at right angles, to a stick, helps when these items are lost in the engine compartment. Anyway, let's hope you find it soon as there is nothing more irritating than knowing that it is sitting there somewhere, only just out of sight.
Good luck

- (#756) John Davis (Leics), 16 Apr 05 16:16

Banjo Bolt. That's the one. If I'd known that that was its name all would have been easier. Yes it's the larger one of the two, the one that is slightly less inacessible when fitting or removing. I now understand why they didn't build townies in this country. You need the small japanese hands just to get to some of these obscure locations. No bone crushing brummie would have a chance in hell. I am starting to suspect that the only reason they were phased out is because a change in child labour laws sent most of their workforce back to Primary School.

Anyway once again the BoK hits the target. Thanks for the help. Now it's off to the shops to try out my new word.

- (#756) Jim Tang, 16 Apr 05 17:08