I just installed a MEVI and a Pathfinder TB over this past weekend, and I was wondering how strong of a vaccuum source is necessary for actuator operation. I was able to open it, testing, by just, god this sounds bad, sucking on a vaccuum hose attached to the nipple of the actuator. I have a GM (i believe) vaccuum canister (kinda large, volume wise) with a built in check valve and a vaccuum selenoid if that is of any help for the question.

What I'm really wondering is if the nipple on top of the pathy throttle body will supply enough vacuum for the MEVI to operate. It pulls a vaccuum at idle, so it is atleast a vaccuum source.

Any help would be great.

George

 

here's a pic of the port i was talking about. Stole the pic from matty's thread.



Any ideas?

 

Keep in mind that a vacuum canister this is going to operate much like your power brake booster: as long as you're hooked up to a decent vacuum source, as soon as you start the engine you'll have sufficient vacuum built up in the canister, and unless you have a leak or the check valve is defective, it'll hold that vacuum for who-knows how long.
Here's something to try: after you've shut the engine off, use a test-lead to give a 12V signal to your vacuum solenoid. I think you'll be surprised at how strongly the MEVI will snap open.

 

thanks curt. That's what i thought would be the case, so i'll give that a shot sometime later today. Snowing for once here in quite a while.