Urgent: Air pump question
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Spokane US
Urgent: Air pump question
I'm currently about 8 hours from home and the Bronco started making some bad grinding noise yesterday. Pinpointed the location, and it looks like the air pump is the culprit, not the water pump. What I need to know is two things.
First: correct identification - the part is located directly above the alternator - 5.8L with a/c - with a belt that loops around the alternator. Picture in the Haynes manual looks just like it, but I want to be sure.
Second: how ciritical - I know this is part of the emissions system (I know guys - just remove the stuff...well, I have to get this tested every 2 years, so I can't just dump the emissions stuff). Is it going to hurt anything to run it as is - grinding away. Should I remove it? Thoughts?
Thanks!
First: correct identification - the part is located directly above the alternator - 5.8L with a/c - with a belt that loops around the alternator. Picture in the Haynes manual looks just like it, but I want to be sure.
Second: how ciritical - I know this is part of the emissions system (I know guys - just remove the stuff...well, I have to get this tested every 2 years, so I can't just dump the emissions stuff). Is it going to hurt anything to run it as is - grinding away. Should I remove it? Thoughts?
Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Northern Colorado
Urgent: Air pump question
It sounds like you are dealing with an air pump. The location sounds right at any rate.
You don't want to drive it with the pump grinding. It could lock up and cause other damage. I have never had a problem just removing the belt and driving home.
Good luck,
Larry
You don't want to drive it with the pump grinding. It could lock up and cause other damage. I have never had a problem just removing the belt and driving home.
Good luck,
Larry
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Urgent: Air pump question
If you have a separate belt for that pump, it sounds like your engine has been replaced. You should have a singe serpentine belt running to everything.
If it is a separate belt, you can just unhook it - it has NO effect on engine performance or durability.
If it is a separate belt, you can just unhook it - it has NO effect on engine performance or durability.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Urgent: Air pump question
Modifying the emissions system is ALWAYS a bad idea. If your '96 is NOT a MAF engine, it needs the air pump to burn off the HC emissions. The pump doesn't hurt your performance at all, so there's no good reason to delete it. If it's broken, fix it right - you'll be happier later.
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 65
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From: Spokane US
Urgent: Air pump question
Most states that test emissions reserve the option of verifying that all original parts are intact. Washington typically only checks if you fail twice. If you are missing any parts, you then must pay a state certified emissions repair shop to install any missing or broken parts. Most states allow the substitution of "50 state emissions legal" replacement or upgrade parts, but be sure to have the documentation on hand. I wouldn't recommend removing any emissions component if you get tested, unless you are replacing it with a legal replacement.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 235
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From: Wellington, FL
Urgent: Air pump question
The 96 is MAF...the thing I remember is my Mustang GT with the 5.0L ran better and made less emissions without the air pumps, however I am not sure what else was done, as the previous owner (service manager for Lincoln Mercury) had basically added everything in the Ford Motorsports catalog to it 
That was a nice car, I had to sell it when I went to University of Florida. 1988 T-tops, mint...paid almost $4k less than market at the time because the PO had a boat he needed cash that day to get or lose it to another buyer.
That was a nice car, I had to sell it when I went to University of Florida. 1988 T-tops, mint...paid almost $4k less than market at the time because the PO had a boat he needed cash that day to get or lose it to another buyer.
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Urgent: Air pump question
I was forced to remove the air pump on my Mustang. The belt would squeal like a ***** 'cause it wasn't getting a good enough bite on the alternator after I put my supercharger on. It runs great--no problems in five years.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 235
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From: Wellington, FL
Urgent: Air pump question
When you did that Howie, did you just cap off the cat lines, or did you bolt on a off-road H-Pipe at the same time?
My mustang had cats still only they were extremely large without air pump bungs.
My mustang had cats still only they were extremely large without air pump bungs.
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Urgent: Air pump question
Initially, I think we just crimped them. Later on I added an H-Pipe because I was adding a Borla Cat-Back system on it. It's a little loud now, but not unbearable. At least it keeps the wife out of it!
So little time, so many Camaros.
So little time, so many Camaros.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Urgent: Air pump question
alk3myst
You have a '96 MAF 5.8L with a smog pump???
This is what the smog pump on mine looks like:
It's just an idler. The OBD-II MAF system controls the mixture so well that it doesn't need extra air added to the exhaust.
You have a '96 MAF 5.8L with a smog pump???
This is what the smog pump on mine looks like:It's just an idler. The OBD-II MAF system controls the mixture so well that it doesn't need extra air added to the exhaust.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, FL
Urgent: Air pump question
yeah I was going to repost the dealer or whoever my father talked to was thinking about another Bronco or something.
I was under the truck today cleaning the chassis (there ended up being a 1" tall island of dirt and road grime at the end of the driveway ) and saw that was just an idler...the sticker on the radiator support shows air pump/idler in that location.
Now I have to figure out the exhaust....he wants duals, but most only offer side exit single. We will have to get the engine details done first, but he wants to keep it legal and go with a big hi-flow cat(s).
Another thing now is there is no undercoating at all on this truck...did they not use it on the Bronco? There is no rust or corrosion though .... it's spotless underneath now (120k miles).
I was under the truck today cleaning the chassis (there ended up being a 1" tall island of dirt and road grime at the end of the driveway
) and saw that was just an idler...the sticker on the radiator support shows air pump/idler in that location.Now I have to figure out the exhaust....he wants duals, but most only offer side exit single. We will have to get the engine details done first, but he wants to keep it legal and go with a big hi-flow cat(s).
Another thing now is there is no undercoating at all on this truck...did they not use it on the Bronco? There is no rust or corrosion though .... it's spotless underneath now (120k miles).
