Possible AIR pump going?

[StuntmanMike]

I'm looking to buy a '00 Formy with 65k, and one issue with it is a strange noise from under the hood.

It's a kind of whirring noise coming from underneath the hood. I popped the hood and tried to figure out what it was, but couldn't trace it. Sounded like a sucking noise almost, but it also had a whirring, rotating sound to it, if that makes any sense. It did it at idle, and I'm pretty sure I heard it during hte test drive, and then the car was still making it after the test drive before I shut it down.

I posted about this in the Firebird Forum, along with the car details, and a few people said it sounded like the AIR pump.

If so, is there any surefire way to diagnose this? And how much of a job to replace it? I'm wondering if I should have him fix it, or just take some money off the price and I'll do it myself.

Thanks for any suggestions/info!

[greatwhiteZ28]

thats normal, does it have a after market lid, most likely and the breather filter. does it turn on for like 2 sec then shuts off, and every now and again?? well the breather filter enhances the noise that the stock air box kept quite,,, its noraml. and if it really is going bad just delete it.

[StuntmanMike]

No, it was there the whole time, as far as i could tell. No lid, the car is totally stock except for the wheels.


What happens if I delete it? Will the car pass emissions testing w/out it? I'd rather keep the car legal.

[2001NBMZ28]

To verify if it's the air pump pull the fuse for it while it's making the noise, that'll cut power to it.

[StuntmanMike]

To verify if it's the air pump pull the fuse for it while it's making the noise, that'll cut power to it.

Ah ha! Great idea, that makes sense. Didn't know there was a fuse for it. You wouldn't happen to know which one, would you? I'm not sure if there's an owner's manual or not.

Now where is the pump, is it engine driven, or is it electric and hidden somewhere?

[greatwhiteZ28]

electric and its drv side by the head light

[StuntmanMike]

electric and its drv side by the head light

Thanks! Is it easy to change?

I found one on Ebay for 100 bucks. Maybe I'll just get him to knock a few hundred off the price.

[greatwhiteZ28]

its just for emissions. really worthless for gains or hp loss. most delete it for appereance purposes when installing headers soo there isnt that tube clutering everything up.

[greatwhiteZ28]

if there big on e checks around you i would leave it but if not just yank it out and go to any TUNER to have them delete from your system soo you dont throw a SES light. casue after removal of it it will throw the light, but its no big deal

[StuntmanMike]

Yeah, I'll leave it in. I have to pass emissions tests to get a sticker, so I don't want any trouble with that.

[Bouvers]

what does this pump do exactly does it throw air into your intake andif so what for?

[SStriker]

A.I.R. Puts Fresh air into your exhuast so the gases burn better i believe. EGR recirculates exhuast gas back into the intake to burn left over gases..

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

My AIR pump was going out on my Z that I sold and same thing with my truck. Usually if it's the pump you'll hear it after cold starts and for several seconds after warm starts....but it'll shut off after that. If it makes the whining sound all the time i'd look somewhere else...like the water pump.

I pulled the relay for the pump and tuned the codes out on my truck...solved the annoying sound.

[StuntmanMike]

Thanks for the info.

I talked to the seller tonight, he's a used car dealer, but this is his personal car. He said he'll go halfs on a warranty with me ($250 for 6months/7500 miles), and if there's a problem with it he'll pay the deductible for me.

Would it be the water pump w/only 65k miles?

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

Would it be the water pump w/only 65k miles?

Doubt it...I was just using the water pump as a example. Even with a warranty i'd make them fix it before you buy it.