Replacing vacuum pump oil line?

I need to replace the oil line to my vacuum pump, according to Apex Auto and the looks of it. The lower bolt looks easy to access, but I can't see up to see how accessible the upper bolt is. From what I've read on other forums, it looks like I should be able to access it during an oil change with the oil filter off. Any special tools I should have on hand to get up there? Just don't want to be missing any tools or parts in the middle of my oil change and not be able to finish the job same day.

Thanks for any advice!

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The upper bolt is hard to see, but entirely accessible. And as you said, easier (but messier) with the oil filter out of the way. It's the same size as the lower bolt (19mm I think?). I have a vague memory of using a ring spanner on the top bolt rather than a socket.

You'll need new copper washers, or you'll have to anneal* the old ones. Use a torque wrench and heed the workshop manual's torque setting- the bolts are hollow, and love to shear off or pull the threads out of the alloy casting if overtightened.

*Anneal copper: Find a spot without any breeze, heat with a blowtorch until it glows cherry red, then leave to cool in still air. Once cool, use a wire brush to carefully remove any flaky grey surface material. Take care though, the washer will be *very* soft and will bend easily.
 
Thanks for @Growlerbearnz , super helpful! Curious if you know, would that top bolt be easier to access by removing drivers seat? I've been trying to figure it out from looking under the van and my photos from the last time I removed the drivers seat, but can't tell. Luckily my tube from CCAutos came with the copper washers, so I won't have to Anneal them!
 
This was more difficult than I had hoped, maybe it was just an off day. Removing the driver's seat was only helpful in morale since it allows you to see the top bolt that you have to unscrew, but you can't get your hand down there to do anything about it. I would say it would be near impossible to replace this hose with the oil filter in the way, so you'll want to do this during an oil change. I picked up a new line that came with the copper washers from CCAutos.

01 - new line.JPG

1. Drain oil
2. Remove oil filter
3. Unbolt lower part of the Vacuum pump oil line (17mm; lower green circle, image taken from under the van)

02 - old line.JPG

4. Unbolt upper part of the Vacuum pump oil line (upper green circle above). This is also a 17 mm bolt. I was able to get my 17mm wrench (8" long) in there without issue. Other posts I found on this said you need a short wrench and it may be hard to get a ratcheting wrench in there as the bolt is close to other parts of the engine. While you are unbolting this, you might think to yourself, this is going to be a real pain to get back in here, and you might be right.

5. The difficult part of replacing this line is that you have washers on either side of the bolt that goes through the eye of the oil line, and the washer on the outside of the bolt wants to fall off. On top of that, you have to keep this together while getting your hand back up into the engine at an angle where you don't drop either the bolt or washer or all of it, and are at the correct angle for screwing this into a hidden hole. I'm pretty sure the last person to install mine didn't get the outer washer on because I never found it on the old bolt and it wasn't stuck to the engine side. By feel, it seems there are also other holes up there that you can't bolt into, but deceive you into thinking you can. After about an hour and a brief lunch break and a little more time trying to get it assembled, I began thinking I would never get this tiny hose replaced. I decided maybe I should change my approach, so I got out from under the driver's side of the van and crawled in from under the passenger side. Basically reversing my point of view, and suddenly, and magically, my left arm was all the way in the van and immediately found the hole and began screwing the bolt in. Amazing. I had thought I had the best approach initially, my feet sticking out perpendicular from the driver side of the van, but if you're having trouble with this, try changing positions. I think I ultimately had my feet towards rear passenger side tire and got the bolt into position with my left arm, I can't be sure, I think I blacked out.

6. Once you have the top bolt in, have a beer, (green circle below, image taken from above with driver seat removed), fit the bottom bolt in, but make sure the hose isn't rubbing again the engine anywhere, which could cause premature wear and tear.

03 - replaced line.JPG

7. Replace oil filter (green arrow).

8. Finish your oil change.
 
I think I ultimately had my feet towards rear passenger side tire and got the bolt into position with my left arm, I can't be sure, I think I blacked out.
Thanks for the laugh!

One trick that might have helped is to slather the errant washer with grease to stick it to the eye/bolt. You don't want to pack the eye, but if a little bit gets in there it shouldn't be an issue.
 
That would have been a good idea, I was thinking about ways of macgyvering a string that could easily be untied once the first threads were on it, but kept thinking I'd cause more problems for myself. It was truly strange how quickly changing positions made it a very easy thing to do. A lesson for the future I guess.
 
What are the torque specs for the bolts?I blew my hose thank God in the driveway last night was about to go out to dinner.If I didn't back out of the driveway I would have never noticed the 2 quarts of oil.in a puddle in front of my van!!!
 
Waiting on the copper washers to cool from annealing and also looking for the torque specifics of the vacuum line (as well as many others for the belts and radiator). I checked the pages in the service manual that state torque specifics but wasn't able to find any specific to this line.
 
Sorry, didn't see this. The feed hose banjo bolt torques are 14-19 nm, 10-14 ftlbs. (pg 16-9-2 of engine electrical manual)
 
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