The first thing to check when you are having vacuum problems is theoutput of the vacuum pump. With either the diaphragm or piston typepump, the unit should produce 20 to 25 inches of vacuum at idlewith all other consumers plugged off. If you’re not getting aminimum of 18 inches of vacuum, the pump needs to be rebuilt orreplaced. Generally speaking, if the case of the pump is cracked,or any of the internal metal pieces are broken the pump isnon-repairable and needs to be replaced