Brake Canister question

[fasterthanu]

I am now running an electric pump, along with a brake canister for my power brakes. I think I have head somewhere that there should be a one way valve at the entrance of the canister.... Is this true? I know there is a one way valve going into the power booster, why would you need on on the in side of the brake canister? I mean if the engine, and pump keep sucking, why would you need it?

 

[MaineShark]

I'm not sure with an electric pump, but the engine doesn't produce consistent vacuum. The one-way valve allows the engine to draw out air at high vacuum, then prevents air from flowing back in at low vacuum, so the cannister stays at higher vacuum. If it wasn't present, the canister would bleed off vacuum when the engine was experiencing low vacuum.

With the electric pump, you should have a consistent vacuum source. Still, I don't think it would hurt to have a check valve. If nothing else, it would give you some extra backup braking reserve, if the pump ever failed (either due to engine failure, or the pump, itself).

Joe