We are looking for more detailed instructions to do this than what is included in the LTQ XL hardware manual and would appreciate any help or advice with this process.
Done so for older Q-TRAPs but not at all for this instrument- and one should not! Easiest would be to call Thermo Scientific's Tech SUpport and have engineer on site for visit or any 3rd party repair service!
The turbomolecular pump mounts in a housing onto the bottom of the vacuum manifold. According to my colleague who performed this work one year ago the change of the turbomolecular pump is not too complicated. But be aware that you have to take the usual precautions (prevention from electric shock, no dust etc.) and it is your own risk.
Turn the Main Power switch off. After removing the front cover of the MS you have an easy access to the front of the pump housing described in Figure 24 of the manual. The turbo pump is fixed with a number of 4 screws at the front of this pump housing. After loosening resp. removing this screws you can remove the turbomolecular pump (i.e motor and stator as a whole) to the front direction and replace it with the exchange kit. Fix the first screw, then fix the screw diagonally opposite. Continue to tighten the remaining screws in this cross diagonal pattern.
Thank you all so much for your answers! Ludwig - we will attempt to access the turbomolecular pump in the next few days. I will let you know how it goes!