> since this vacuum pump supplies all the vacuum for the everything,

Umm.. No actually...

The pump *only* runs for the first 30 seconds or so after engine startup. The variable valve timing on the engine causes it to have low vacuum in the intake manifold during that time.

After that time the vacuum for the brake booster is supplied 'as normal' by the engine and the pump is not used anymore.

A bad pump (or fuse) usually shows itself in that it's somewhat more difficult to stop the car when it has just been started (reduced vacuum, so less assistance), but will brake fine after that.

The situation you describe (pipe breaking, complete vacuum loss) could have happened on any car wether it has an auxiliary pump or not.

I agree that it's a very bad situation though as it really shouldn't fail like that. Didn't the engine start to run rough too? Would have been a major vacuum leak in the intake system.

Still I find it odd that you had such a difficult time to stop the car. I have driven many cars, including S/V40's, while being towed (no engine running => no brake assistance and no power steering) and they still braked fine. You just needed to press a little harder.

Makes me wonder if Volvo's in the US are perhaps supplied with harder (longer lasting, lower friction) brake pads than here in europe?

Bye, Arno.