smog pump seized

[cavscout]

I was about 1 mile from at the gas pump recently when my 72 240z refused to start. I had my wife crank over the engine until I saw smoke coming from the smog pump, air pump, whatever it is called. The pump would not turn and the belt was up around the rim of the pulley, causing the other belts to be frozen. I had no tools, so I cut the belt and drover her home.

My question: is it safe to drive the car without that belt? Will not having this pump working affect the performance or gas mileage of the car? I am not really concerned about emissions at the moment, I just need my baby to get me to work!

[EScanlon]

Unless you are required to have that air pump as part of your emission system by the DEQ laws in your state, most people remove them ... other than those who are maintaining a "show" quality engine bay. Even that can be debated (there are ways of faking the air pump).

As long as the belt that propelled the air pump did NOT also propel another component (alternator, A/C compressor pump, fan, water pump...etc.), the only change ~might~ be a slight change in the air/fuel mix. That's only because the air pump pulls air out of the exhaust and pumps it back into the intake to burn whatever gas didn't burn the first time.

That's a very simplified version / explanation. There are other guys here that know the specific details as to what to expect, adjust, ignore, and I'm sure they'll post also. But this will at least allay your main concern.

E

[beandip]

Actually the pump provides air into he exhaust manifold to provide some Oxygen in a attempt to further burn the gasses that are leaving and consume them eliminating some . Strictly a emissions thing . Will not effect performance. If you look there are small tubes attached to the casting of the exhaust manifold . this is where this happens . My tubes were plugged by the PO of my car as well as the pump removed. The EGR valve is what introduces exhaust gasses into the intake as part of the emissions system , and could be considered part of the pumps application . Gary

[EScanlon]

oOPS I had it bass-ackwards but still generally correct.

Thanks Gary, now you see why I take mine to a mechanic.

E

[jezze]

I took my pump off when I had my L24. I thought it would make the car go faster, but it didn't.

[Arne]

True, the air pump has no real effect on performance, other than a small amount of additional drag. (Assuming it's not siezed.) If it's working, no reason not to have it. But if it's bad and you don't need it to pass emissions, it doesn't hurt to remove it either.

[beandip]

For information. the way things are going in some states . If you have a pump hang on to it just in case the regulations are changed and we are forced to go back to them . The core charge alone is $200.00 for one of the darn things.

[ktm]

I removed mine a while ago, as well as the associated appurtenences (anti-backfire valve for one). It is currently sitting next to my work bench.