355 Vacuum reservoir

I suspect I might need a new vacuum reservoir - my exhaust bypass valve opens at low revs but then closes as revs rise. The OEM part costs, as we all know, ten times what it should. Alfa Romeo 50553262 looks very similar. Anyone used it?

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Thanks both. The only change from standard is a Capristo backbox.

I don't have a smoke checker but I'm sure I can improvise something. @Qavion how best to test those check valves please? Are we talking vacuum pumps or will a simple suck/blow suffice?

 

Thanks, I'll pull them off and have a suck, as the actress said to the bishop.

 

Check valves are fine, so I suppose I'm into checking individual hoses for leaks.

 

Turns out it is the vacuum reservoir. One of the stems coming out of the top had a crack in it, and fell off as I removed the hose to investigate further. I suppose I'm about to find out whether the Alfa part in my first post (£40) is a good substitution for the Ferrari part (£400!)

 

Ended up fixing my existing tank. I bought an inline hose connector from an aquarium supplier and cut it in half, then, after filing back to a smooth surface, epoxied the two halves in place of the broken stems on top of the tank. A bit of finishing with a round file and a quick paint job later, I have a functioning vacuum can.

 

Just in case anyone else finds this info useful... it turned out not to be the vacuum can in the end, so the stems, while clearly hanging by a thread, must have been airtight. The actual cause of the issue was a faulty air pump solenoid, which I've now replaced. I also replaced the exhaust valve solenoid while I was in there. I used 2x PartsTec PTA510-0549 costing an enormous £14 each and also swapped out the rubber lines for silicone, as they had gone completely hard and were looking a little tired.

 

That's the problem. Tomato cans are only protected against corrosion on the inside. So when Ferrari used one as a vacuum reservoir, water collecting on the outside was a real issue.