I have a 1974 240D. Has been running fine. I was driving on the highway and suddenly I heard a noise, the engine stopped, and will not re start. I found a hole in the vacum pump. Will loss of vacum casue the car to stop running? What could be the cause of a sudden catestrophic failure of the pump? Thanks for your help.

 

It absolutely could be. You have an ignition vac in your car, and if this is broken then the car wont run.