PM III accumulator

[intern8tion9l]

I've searched around a bit; I have seen threads that say Prior sells them, and also some that say they have since stopped. Also seen some that said you can get them on Amazon. I guess the problem is that I don't know if the ones on there are the correct ones, because I don't know the part number or what the part looks like. Any insight? Car has been sitting for weeks, it would be nice to drive it again.

[Penglii]

I got my replacement accumulator from amazon... it was an actual NOS 18M874 and apparently I bought it on July 8 of 2010 for ~$150. It was the last one available. My caveat is that I installed it a year after buying it... and then another year later the car is just finally going to have the PMIII system bled and get driven again. So I don't actually know yet if it holds a good charge still. I hope it does.

 

There is this accumulator available (on backorder anyway) from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-25528382-Pressure-Accumulator/dp/B000C9LTRC/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1340753690&sr=8-18&keywords=GM+accumulator

Based on this thread: http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/44297-Source-for-PMIII-parts that is a TevesII accumulator... apparently it bolts up and works just fine as a replacement for the PMIII accumulator. They are more common than the PMIII accumulators. It's precharge is slightly lower, so the PMIII pump may run for slightly longer... but that's still way better than the pump running every pedal press.

 

Edit for reference purposes:

PMIII accumulator: 18M874

TevesII accumulator: 25528382

Edited June 27, 2012 by Penglii

[Penglii]

Nunzi made reference once recently, if I remember correctly, to a tool that can be had that can test the remaining charge in a hydraulic accumulator... maybe he will see this and chime in with a tool number or a link or something, becuase I'm thinking it might be a nice tool for a PMIII owner to have available.

[intern8tion9l]

that's the one i was looking at..... 3-5 weeks for shipping? damn! thanks for the info

[mfewtrail]

Here's another option.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACCUMULATOR-BALL-HYDAC-FORD-PONTIAC-LINCOLN-MERCURY-/350577742711?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item51a00fd377

 

Another option for $139 shipped that you can get in a few days.

 

http://spinningwheels-sc.com/hydacaccumulatorballs.aspx $125 on their website, but with shipping and handling I believe the price goes up to the same $139 listed on ebay.

 

These are the same as the old Prior units that used to be available as far as I know. You could call or email them for specifications for me to compare to if want. Some slight differences in the Hydac vs. stock units: 1. The physical size of them - the hydac unit is larger, so it's a little tougher to install it. If you can slave the motor forward a little farther than the dogbone slave holes, you can probably install them without having to remove anything extra. I removed my throttle body back when I installed mine. 2. The hydac unit has a lower pre-charge. 200psi lower than the stock units if I remember correctly. A non-issue though. The pump will run ever so slightly longer to make up for it. Between my car with a stock style accum and the prior, I notice no run time difference.

 

From their website, it sounds like they got some new ones made from some supplier. I remember the guy at SpinninWheels telling me they were in the process of getting some made or something like that the last time I was in contact with him comparing the thread sizes between our cars.

[intern8tion9l]

i bought that one off ebay and installed it today(in the rain), it was an exact match. problem is, i still have no brakes. the brake and abs lights are both on, and the pump motor is not cycling. when i first lost the brakes, the motor would still cycle.....ideas?

[Penglii]

Knocked a plug loose maybe?

 

Getting any codes?

[intern8tion9l]

i'm hoping it's a connector or something stupid, but i don't tend to be so lucky. i don't have any way of reading abs codes though

 

the worst part of that whole job was getting the heat shield off and back on

[GOT2B GM]

either the relay or pressure switch

[Penglii]

the worst part of that whole job was getting the heat shield off and back on

 

When I put my heat shield back on I used zip ties because I managed to lose both fasteners to the abyss of the engine bay.

Surprisingly the zip ties appear to hold up to the heat alright, but then again my TGP has seen less than 2000 miles of travel since I got the engine going again.... but still they lasted that long and are still holding.