A diaphragm vacuum pump has one job on a self-priming centrifugal system: pull the air out of the suction line so water can follow. When yours stops doing that job, the fix is here, in stock, and most parts ship the same day you order.
Elite Manufacturing Systems stocks complete vacuum pumps, rebuild kits, and roughly 40 individual components, from crankshafts and connecting rods to actuator pistons and lip seals, all built to fit the reciprocating vacuum pumps on Cornell and Pioneer priming systems. Every part is a compatible or improved aftermarket component, which is how pump repair shops, mechanics, and maintenance crews typically pay about 30% less than OEM pricing.
We supply industrial vacuum pump parts for agricultural irrigation, municipal water, oilfield, and manufacturing operations across the United States and Canada. These parts are not built for HVAC service pumps or automotive vacuum pumps.
How a Vacuum Pump Primes a Centrifugal Pump
A self priming centrifugal pump earns that name from its vacuum pump. The centrifugal end moves water, not air, so the vacuum pump goes first:
- Air comes out. Each stroke of the crankshaft-driven piston pulls air from the suction line.
- Water rises. As the air leaves, water climbs the line and reaches the impeller.
- Pumping begins. The centrifugal pump takes over. Lose prime mid-job and the cycle repeats on its own.
These pumps come in both piston vacuum pump and diaphragm vacuum pump builds, and Elite Manufacturing Systems stocks parts for both. Not sure which style your unit runs? Send the serial number before you order.
Diaphragm Vacuum Pump Parts We Stock
Fix the part that failed instead of replacing the whole pump. From crankshafts to lip seals, the components that wear out are the ones we keep in stock, and most ship the same day you order.
Drive End
- Crankshafts
- Connecting rods and bushings
- Pulleys
- Bearings, caps, locknuts, and washers
Air End
- Upper and lower housings
- Inlet and exhaust valves
- Suction and exhaust nozzles
- Crank case pump housings
Actuator Assembly
- Actuator pistons and shafts
- Actuator valves and seals
- Guide bushings
- Actuator shaft lip seals
Kits, Seals & Wear Parts
- Upper and lower repair kits
- Vacuum pump rubber kits
- Lip seals, orings, and gaskets
- Sight glasses, oil slingers, and shims
Rebuild or Replace: Three Ways to Fix a Down Pump
A worn vacuum pump does not have to mean a new vacuum pump. Depending on your budget, timeline, and shop comfort level, there are three ways back to a working primer.
| Option | Price | Turnaround | Best When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebuild it yourself with a vacuum pump rebuild kit | $175 to $480 per kit | Ships same day when in stock | Your shop is comfortable opening the pump and specific components are worn |
| Rebuilt pump with core exchange | $2,100 | 1 to 2 weeks | The whole pump is tired and you want a rebuilt unit without OEM pricing |
| New vacuum pump | $2,730 | Ships same day when in stock | Downtime is not an option or the core is too far gone to rebuild |
These kits and rebuilds cover the priming pumps on industrial and agricultural pump systems, not HVAC or refrigeration equipment. If the whole pump is tired, the core exchange is the middle path: ship your worn pump to our Lake Charles facility, with no core charge and no deposit, and a rebuilt pump comes back in one to two weeks, $630 less than a new unit.
Prices from the Elite Manufacturing Systems catalog as of July 2026 and subject to change. Current pricing is always in the catalog above.
Get Parts From Louisiana or West Texas
Order in-stock parts before 12pm Central and they ship the same day from Lake Charles, Louisiana, with UPS Red next-day air available on request. Need it in hand today? Pick up at our Lake Charles headquarters or at the Midland, Texas distribution center.
Vacuum Pump Questions, Answered
A self priming pump is a centrifugal pump that can clear the air from its own suction line and start pumping without being filled with water by hand first. On Cornell and Pioneer units, a small reciprocating vacuum pump mounted on the equipment does that priming work: it pulls air out of the suction hose until water reaches the impeller, and the centrifugal pump takes over from there.
A self priming pump works by removing the air sitting between the water source and the impeller. The vacuum pump's crankshaft drives a connecting rod and piston, and each stroke pulls air out of the suction line. As air leaves, water rises up the line and reaches the impeller, and the centrifugal pump starts moving water. If prime is lost during operation, the vacuum pump automatically pulls the line back down to a prime.
To pick the right vacuum pump repair kit, start with your pump model and what is worn. Elite Manufacturing Systems stocks the Vacuum Pump Rubber Kit, the Upper Repair Kit, and the Lower Repair Kit, and the right one depends on which end of the pump needs attention. Send the pump's model or serial number by phone, email, or text and the team will match the kit before you order.
To use the rebuilt vacuum pump core exchange, ship your worn pump to the Elite Manufacturing Systems facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana. There is no core charge and no deposit. The team rebuilds the pump and returns it, with a typical turnaround of one to two weeks. At $2,100, a rebuilt pump with a core costs $630 less than a new vacuum pump at $2,730.
No, these parts do not fit HVAC or automotive vacuum pumps. The vacuum pumps and components we supply fit the reciprocating priming pumps used on Cornell and Pioneer self-priming centrifugal pump systems in agricultural, municipal, oilfield, and industrial settings. They are not designed for HVAC service pumps, automotive vacuum pumps, or laboratory equipment.
To confirm a part fits your pump, send Elite Manufacturing Systems the pump's serial number or model number before you order. Call (337) 564-6428, email Chad@elitemanufacturingsystems.com, or text a photo of the part or nameplate. The team verifies compatibility and points you to the exact part in the catalog.
No, these are not OEM parts. Elite Manufacturing Systems supplies compatible or improved aftermarket parts designed to fit Cornell and Pioneer equipment, typically priced about 30% below OEM. Most items carry a manufacturer defect warranty, and issues are handled case by case.
If your pump will not hold prime, the vacuum pump is only one suspect. Worn self priming pump impellers, a leaking priming valve, and air leaks in the suction line all cause the same symptom. Check the vacuum pump's valves and seals first, then the impeller and priming valve. If you are not sure where the problem lives, call or text a photo and the Elite Manufacturing Systems team will help you narrow it down.