Replacing Vacuum Pump on SS
09-24-2015, 11:14 PM
#1
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Join Date: 09-02-2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 383
Replacing Vacuum Pump on SS
A few weeks ago, I noticed my 2010 Auto SS started making a whistle/wine sound at startup, and always though it was just a way to say "Hey I'm warmed up ready to go!" Then it started doing it if I released the brake pedal idling or in park. Checked the forum and it turns out my vacuum pump was starting to fail.
Incase your HHR is doing the same, here's a quick how-to on replacing the vacuum pump.
Replacement Part - GM/AC Delco Part #20804130 (Under $100 on Amazon)
Tools
13 mm socket (for bottom bolts of bracket)
10 mm socket (to remove pump from bracket)
15 mm ratcheting wrench (for top bolt of bracket)
I'm not sure if this is important, but I did this after my car sat overnight to make sure no issues were caused by disconnecting the vacuum from a car that's warm. Either way, just make sure the CAR IS OFF before proceeding.
1) Determine if your SS has a vacuum pump. It's located on the right side (passenger) right before your oil plug. It should if it's an 09 or 10 I believe.
2) Disconnect the tube on the left side (pointed towards the driver) by pressing on the black insert and pull off the tube
Also disconnect the wiring harness on the right side (passenger).
I found it easier to remove the wiring harness from the bracket by pressing on the tabs on the clip, then pulling the harness away from the bracket. Once it was loose from the bracket, I was able to pull the connection apart.
3) Remove the bolts holding the bracket together. You will need a 13MM for the bottom bolts, and a 15MM for the top.
I wasn't able to get any socket wrench in the space for the top bolt (it's a VERY close space with a cooling pipe going directly across the vacuum pump, getting in the way of any socket wrench). I used a ratcheting wrench to remove the top bolt since it was the only thing I could get to fit.
4) Once all bolts holding the bracket are removed, get out from under the car
5) Use a 10MM socket to remove the two bolts holding the pump to the bracket, and slide the pump up off the bracket.
put the new vacuum pump onto the bracket, and secure it by tightening the 10mm bolts
6) Get back under the car
7) Finger tighten the bottom two bolts to hold the bracket in place, then get your hand up towards the top to (slightly) finger tighten the top bolt so it catches - it will save you a few grunts, yells, and maybe "F bombs" from dropping the bolt.
Once you get the top bolt grabbing, use your ratcheting wrench to tighten the top bolt. This could take a while since the space for your wrench is very small (1-2 clicks tops), so stay calm, try your best to not curse too much.
Tighten the bottom two (I used an battery powered impact wrench to speed up the process from taking so long with the top bolt)
8) Re-connect the tube by holding down the black insert. Make sure you push the tube overtop of the lip of the vacuum pump.
9) connect the wiring harness, and re-connect it to the bracket
MAKE SURE STEP 8 AND 9 ARE COMPLETE BEFORE YOU START THE CAR!
10) Get out from under the car (again)
11) Start her up, and listen for NO MORE whistle/wine sound!
Incase your HHR is doing the same, here's a quick how-to on replacing the vacuum pump.
Replacement Part - GM/AC Delco Part #20804130 (Under $100 on Amazon)
Tools
13 mm socket (for bottom bolts of bracket)
10 mm socket (to remove pump from bracket)
15 mm ratcheting wrench (for top bolt of bracket)
I'm not sure if this is important, but I did this after my car sat overnight to make sure no issues were caused by disconnecting the vacuum from a car that's warm. Either way, just make sure the CAR IS OFF before proceeding.
1) Determine if your SS has a vacuum pump. It's located on the right side (passenger) right before your oil plug. It should if it's an 09 or 10 I believe.
2) Disconnect the tube on the left side (pointed towards the driver) by pressing on the black insert and pull off the tube
Also disconnect the wiring harness on the right side (passenger).
I found it easier to remove the wiring harness from the bracket by pressing on the tabs on the clip, then pulling the harness away from the bracket. Once it was loose from the bracket, I was able to pull the connection apart.
3) Remove the bolts holding the bracket together. You will need a 13MM for the bottom bolts, and a 15MM for the top.
I wasn't able to get any socket wrench in the space for the top bolt (it's a VERY close space with a cooling pipe going directly across the vacuum pump, getting in the way of any socket wrench). I used a ratcheting wrench to remove the top bolt since it was the only thing I could get to fit.
4) Once all bolts holding the bracket are removed, get out from under the car
5) Use a 10MM socket to remove the two bolts holding the pump to the bracket, and slide the pump up off the bracket.
put the new vacuum pump onto the bracket, and secure it by tightening the 10mm bolts
6) Get back under the car
7) Finger tighten the bottom two bolts to hold the bracket in place, then get your hand up towards the top to (slightly) finger tighten the top bolt so it catches - it will save you a few grunts, yells, and maybe "F bombs" from dropping the bolt.
Once you get the top bolt grabbing, use your ratcheting wrench to tighten the top bolt. This could take a while since the space for your wrench is very small (1-2 clicks tops), so stay calm, try your best to not curse too much.
Tighten the bottom two (I used an battery powered impact wrench to speed up the process from taking so long with the top bolt)
8) Re-connect the tube by holding down the black insert. Make sure you push the tube overtop of the lip of the vacuum pump.
9) connect the wiring harness, and re-connect it to the bracket
MAKE SURE STEP 8 AND 9 ARE COMPLETE BEFORE YOU START THE CAR!
10) Get out from under the car (again)
11) Start her up, and listen for NO MORE whistle/wine sound!
Last edited by drummerboy0088; 09-25-2015 at 08:16 AM.
09-30-2015, 07:05 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-20-2011
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 120
I just shut mine off via HPT... causes a little stumble at idle without cat warmup, but one blip of the throttle and its gone and my neighbors don't hate me as much. in the winter with no muffler it was brutally loud.
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