Signs of a defect vacuum pump on my A1?

[on-to-berlin]

Recently I had a problem with my right vacuum wiper. Bought a new one and was just about to install it when I realized today that my left wiper also got super slow.
In addition I think I have more black smoke coming out of the exhaust as usual. Is it possible the the vacuum pump or the seal is damaged and not enough vacuum is build up?
If I remember right I read somewhere that when the pump is faulty more oil gets soaked into the intake?

[rickf]

Black smoke is gasoline, that would be a carburetor issue. One thing to check on the wipers, pull the return vacuum line off at the metal pipe that goes under the dash and see if the wipers speed up. Those metal pipes tend to rust shut on the inside plus there is a lot of resistance in the long return line to the air cleaner. I leave the hose just lightly pushed on that tube on mine and when I need the wipers I pull it off and my wipers work great.If you are driving and the wiper that des work does not slow down as you are accelerating then the pump is working. I have some replacement diaphragms for the vacuum pumps but shipping to Germany would cost more than a new pump.

Thinking about it, If you are running excessively rich that will lower the manifold vacuum and manifold vacuum is also used along with the pump to run the wipers. the inlet line to the vacuum pump comes off of the rear of the intake manifold. Just a thought.

[on-to-berlin]

Rick, I will make the mix a bit leaner and see how it goes. Will post what happens.

[rickf]

Did you try removing the return line on the wipers? That is the most likely problem.

[on-to-berlin]

No not yet. Was working on the A2 on the week end. I will give it a try tomorrow

[Horst]

I have an A1 vacuum pump for sale at a good price if you ever need one. Came of a rebuild motor. No use for me having an A2.

[on-to-berlin]

Cool! I will let you know if I need it