Air Pump Question
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1998
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From: Windsor, ON, Canada
Air Pump Question
I know the new ('97 and up) engines don't have the air pumps anymore so I am hoping that you guys know what is going on here. I have a noise that is generated from the engine compartment, it is always there whether idling or driving. It sounds like a small chain rattling or something like that, I had my guys take a listen and they said that it is coming from the air pump. They also said that alot of my era trucks produce this sound eventually and unless the truck fails emissions not to worry about it. That is cool, it that happens what kind of dollar figure am I looking at and they said probably $300-$400 for it.
What I would like to know, is what is the air pumps purpose and how does it affect the engine running condition? What I am about running condition is does it affect the operation of the engine from a HP & Tq point of view. I seem to have a slight power problem while cruising, it accelerates good and idles well but sometimes when I come to a hill she always down shifts out of overdrive. I do have an Accel coil coming from Summit but I am wonder if the air pump has anything to do with this. I am also in a holding pattern for my new header program to get done for the superchip which fixes the A/F ratio on the truck. Any help is as always greatly appreciated.
Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean
What I would like to know, is what is the air pumps purpose and how does it affect the engine running condition? What I am about running condition is does it affect the operation of the engine from a HP & Tq point of view. I seem to have a slight power problem while cruising, it accelerates good and idles well but sometimes when I come to a hill she always down shifts out of overdrive. I do have an Accel coil coming from Summit but I am wonder if the air pump has anything to do with this. I am also in a holding pattern for my new header program to get done for the superchip which fixes the A/F ratio on the truck. Any help is as always greatly appreciated.
Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean
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From: Ventura, California
The air pump doesn't suck anywhere near as much power as people think, but it is noticable when it's removed. It's purpose is to dilute the exhaust and to increase the heat in the cats, making them work better.
Take care,
~Chris
Take care,
~Chris
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Senior Member
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From: Windsor, ON, Canada
So technically, it has no direct effect on the operation of the engine then. The only effect it has is by allowing the cats to work right which in turn changes the O2 sensors information on the engines fuel needs. Right ???? I am not looking at taking it off just wondering if there was a correlation between the pump and the slight problem going up hills. Got the coil today, so I will have to install that and I will have to see this weekend what happens then. Thanks Chris.
Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean
Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean
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$300-400? I priced one at O'rielly for my '90 (a reman one) and they wanted $45. Maybe they are different, but that seems like a lot of money. Its only 2 bolts, 3 hoses, and taking off the belt. I thought mine was making an annoying noise and I was gonna replace it. Turns out that wasn't it. If the noise bothers you, you might check into the price of one at your local parts store.
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From: Lockport, NY USA
All it does is pump air into the cat where is is absorbed by the cadmium, which causes it to do funky things to make the exhaust cleaner. I'm going to take mine off as soon as a get around to fabbing up a bracket and idler pulley. I'm not running any cats so right now the hose is just flopping around underneath the truck.
-Jon
BTW, i don't think it will throw the check engine light because the only o2 sensor is on the manifold, these year trucks aren't smart enough to know what the cat is doing. However if the air pump doesn't work it's possible the cat could get plugged.
-Jon
-Jon
BTW, i don't think it will throw the check engine light because the only o2 sensor is on the manifold, these year trucks aren't smart enough to know what the cat is doing. However if the air pump doesn't work it's possible the cat could get plugged.
-Jon
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Charlottesville, VA
On price: The dealer will charge you anywhere from $200-$400. You can buy remanufactured smog/A.I.R. pumps from auto parts stores for under $100.
On performance: keeping the pump on costs you minimal performance. I know that on my model, the pump shuts off after the engine reaches full operating temperature. Regardless, the drag on the engine is minimal.
On not fixing it: A couple things can happen. It is likely that you have a faulty bearing in the pump (happened to me). If the pump worsens and siezes, you can throw a belt. Also, it will shorten the life of your cats if you have a non-functional smog pump as it helps to heat up the cat.
On function: Basically just pumps air into the exuast just before the cat, this helps combust unburnt fuel.
Anyways, it's cheap and easy to replace, and may prevent damage to belt/cat.
later
scott
On performance: keeping the pump on costs you minimal performance. I know that on my model, the pump shuts off after the engine reaches full operating temperature. Regardless, the drag on the engine is minimal.
On not fixing it: A couple things can happen. It is likely that you have a faulty bearing in the pump (happened to me). If the pump worsens and siezes, you can throw a belt. Also, it will shorten the life of your cats if you have a non-functional smog pump as it helps to heat up the cat.
On function: Basically just pumps air into the exuast just before the cat, this helps combust unburnt fuel.
Anyways, it's cheap and easy to replace, and may prevent damage to belt/cat.
later
scott