2018 Equinox 1.5L turbo LYX vacuum pump

road_rascal · Apr 6, 2026

So, I've been watching a bunch of videos on the 2018+ LYX failures and one common item that is mentioned is the vacuum pump. Right now our 2018 Nox is approaching 87,000 miles and I'm trying to decide if it's worth to replace it even though it seems to be working. Looks like the pump and the seal is less than $200 and is easy to replace. No TSB that I can find and a post about a 2019 Mailbu about replacing it before it fails. Thoughts?

Danno · Apr 6, 2026

Look to be about $60USD plus shipping and taxes.

I would change it.

repairman54 · Apr 7, 2026

I would change it. In the newer GM replacements they removed the screen on the oil port that was in the OEM ones. I suspect it inhibited oil flow into the pump. This info is from 'nox and Malibu forums.

JTK · Apr 7, 2026

Given the age/mileage it's a wise plan, if for nothing more than examining the internals to the factory vac pump to see how it looks. I've been following the 2018+ LYX 1.5 vac pump thing for about 2.5yrs now. I started before I bought my 2021 Equinox 1.5 two years ago. Oddly, the problem seems to effect GMC Terrain and Malibu LYX 1.5's by a long shot. You will be hard pressed to find a report on the interwebs in regards to one failing on a 2018-2022 Equinox 1.5 for what ever reason. You would think there's way more Equinoxes on the road, but maybe people just aren't chirping online about it.

Regardless, I'm in the same boat. I'm approaching 75K trouble free miles on my 2021 Equinox and considering doing the pump and shaft seal as well. I have some oil staining all around the exhaust cam driven vac pump, so I assume it's the seal.

road_rascal · Apr 28, 2026

I replaced the vacuum pump yesterday with a GM part (25204337) and installed a new seal (12668429) and it's leaking oil like crazy. I cleaned the mating surfaces with brake cleaner and torqued the 3 bolts to 18 ft/lbs. I'm almost positive I installed the new seal (cam seal) correctly and the new pump had the gasket (1266521) installed on it. So I'm extremely confused why there's oil leaking. Any thoughts on why I screwed up this simple job?

Note- I did remove the old pump gasket from the block as shown on the first photo.

zzyzzx · Apr 30, 2026

I would not replace a working pump.

Tomioka · Apr 30, 2026

zzyzzx said:
I would not replace a working pump.

I would change it as preventative maintenance, especially if the part is failure prone and has been revised to curb the issue.

repairman54 · May 2, 2026

Possibly damaged the seal lip on installation. Always oil the new seal lips on pump installation.
This pump design has gone away on newer engines. They have gone to an electric pump now. Too many blown pumps damaging the cam ears and parts from failures moving the cam reluctor wheel also.

road_rascal · May 2, 2026

I took everything apart, looked at the cam seal and pump gasket and nothing was damaged. I put a light coating of Permatex #85420 (Hylomar equivalent) on the seal and gasket and after 300 miles no leaks whatsoever. I'm going to take the old pump apart soon and see how much wear there is.

super20dan · May 3, 2026

i monitor the equinox forms daily as it the best entertainment there is. there is no shortage of horror stories about the vac pump failing and taking out the entire engine. i would change out the pump with the improved part.

JTK · May 30, 2026

I just finished up installing a new GM replacement vac pump in my 2021 equinox LYX 1.5 today at ~77K miles. I took the factory unit apart. It had lots of swirl wear marks, but nothing that would catch your finger nail. The plastic apex seals and wiper bar (for lack of a better term) looked ok. The unit probably could have gone much longer, but you never know with these and a failure can lead to major top end engine damage. I wish I would have re-read this thread because my replacement seal was that new design and I was unsure of which way to install it. Since the OEM felt and looked good yet, I opted to leave it. Be very careful with the laminated metal/rubber black gasket on the pump. The edges will cut you to ribbons. I cut a finger badly on it.