So, I took the smog pump off today...
04-19-2013, 10:46 PM
#1
So, I took the smog pump off today...
... and put a new one right back on! HA! Gotcha!! That was fun...
Seriously, I actually went and searched to maybe find tips on this site for replacing the pump, you know actually putting another one on and all I get are deleting threads and people having civil wars over whether to keep it or not. After a few pages I gave up on seeking tips and just popped the hood and dove in.
As it turns out, it's not too difficult of a job. I have this unmolested, uncut, nothing bypassed or screwed with, just nice '89 Firebird and I'm DETERMINED to keep it that way. Anyway, I discovered a few things while changing the pump and thought it might be worth mentioning for those rare individuals who actually replace them which I'm sure is about 3 people total on this site including me.lol
Mine was starting to sound awful, something like an airplane propeller with beach towels wrapped around it. I decided before it seizes and kills a belt and maybe something else that I'll order a new one. I got the "oh it will be noisy just like yours." and "They all are noisy...bla bla bla" statements from friends around and a few "expert" mechanics. Yea, good thing I don't listen to everything I'm told.
I got the new pump (it's a reman by the way), so it looks exactly like the one on the car which is always nice. The box said "Made in USA", which comforted me right away. If it had said "Made in China", I would have made a POT of coffee and put in Filter "Hey Man, Nice Shot" and played it on repeat loop and prepare to go back to the store 3 times minimum for replacements or a different one or some parts to rig it with. This time I simply played the Eagles and had one bottled water.
I loosen the pulley bolts, then take the tensioner off and remove the belt. After removing the pulley I discovered right away that the pump has been replaced before since the top bolt is holding nothing.lol The PO "missed" the hole...idiot. The bolt was beside the pump mount which was just beautiful and I chuckled. It was just as funny as one bolt holding my starter which I discovered earlier this year while tending to an unrelated matter.
Now, after removing the tube from the back I'm ready to take it out. Turns out, the pump is just the right size to be a complete pain to get out of the car from the top or the bottom, no matter how you turn or twist it. I immediately thought of the starter again and how hard it can be to get out. Finally, I loosen the radiator shroud which allows me to get it out a little easier. As I'm trying to get the pump out, I notice "pieces" of metal falling out of it. I then proceed to pull the main valve and all hoses off and find metal in the main valve and metal tube, but nothing past the main valve and nothing in any of the hoses up to the check valves.
I tested the check valves and they were ok. I cleaned out the main valve and tube with compressed air and got every little chunk of metal out of it. A word of caution...make sure none of the main valve "openings" are pointed toward you while using compressed air in one of the other ones (this is tricky while holding it). I then put it all back together, installed the pump and got BOTH bolts through the pump mounts, and put the pulley and belt back on. I fired it up to check my belt and the pump and what do you know...just perfect. Despite what "people" were telling me just last week, it barely makes a sound which I can't even hear unless the hood is open and I lean down to it and listen very carefully while making sure I don't get my ear caught in the belt.
So, the plain jane '89 Firebird continues to be unmolested, uncut, and NEVER hacked
Seriously, I actually went and searched to maybe find tips on this site for replacing the pump, you know actually putting another one on and all I get are deleting threads and people having civil wars over whether to keep it or not. After a few pages I gave up on seeking tips and just popped the hood and dove in.
As it turns out, it's not too difficult of a job. I have this unmolested, uncut, nothing bypassed or screwed with, just nice '89 Firebird and I'm DETERMINED to keep it that way. Anyway, I discovered a few things while changing the pump and thought it might be worth mentioning for those rare individuals who actually replace them which I'm sure is about 3 people total on this site including me.lol
Mine was starting to sound awful, something like an airplane propeller with beach towels wrapped around it. I decided before it seizes and kills a belt and maybe something else that I'll order a new one. I got the "oh it will be noisy just like yours." and "They all are noisy...bla bla bla" statements from friends around and a few "expert" mechanics. Yea, good thing I don't listen to everything I'm told.
I got the new pump (it's a reman by the way), so it looks exactly like the one on the car which is always nice. The box said "Made in USA", which comforted me right away. If it had said "Made in China", I would have made a POT of coffee and put in Filter "Hey Man, Nice Shot" and played it on repeat loop and prepare to go back to the store 3 times minimum for replacements or a different one or some parts to rig it with. This time I simply played the Eagles and had one bottled water.
I loosen the pulley bolts, then take the tensioner off and remove the belt. After removing the pulley I discovered right away that the pump has been replaced before since the top bolt is holding nothing.lol The PO "missed" the hole...idiot. The bolt was beside the pump mount which was just beautiful and I chuckled. It was just as funny as one bolt holding my starter which I discovered earlier this year while tending to an unrelated matter.
Now, after removing the tube from the back I'm ready to take it out. Turns out, the pump is just the right size to be a complete pain to get out of the car from the top or the bottom, no matter how you turn or twist it. I immediately thought of the starter again and how hard it can be to get out. Finally, I loosen the radiator shroud which allows me to get it out a little easier. As I'm trying to get the pump out, I notice "pieces" of metal falling out of it. I then proceed to pull the main valve and all hoses off and find metal in the main valve and metal tube, but nothing past the main valve and nothing in any of the hoses up to the check valves.
I tested the check valves and they were ok. I cleaned out the main valve and tube with compressed air and got every little chunk of metal out of it. A word of caution...make sure none of the main valve "openings" are pointed toward you while using compressed air in one of the other ones (this is tricky while holding it). I then put it all back together, installed the pump and got BOTH bolts through the pump mounts, and put the pulley and belt back on. I fired it up to check my belt and the pump and what do you know...just perfect. Despite what "people" were telling me just last week, it barely makes a sound which I can't even hear unless the hood is open and I lean down to it and listen very carefully while making sure I don't get my ear caught in the belt.
So, the plain jane '89 Firebird continues to be unmolested, uncut, and NEVER hacked
04-19-2013, 11:06 PM
#2
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Car: 1989 Iroc-z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Auto 700R4
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Re: So, I took the smog pump off today...
Mine lock up on me back in the late 90's when I was driving it around one day. Made a hell of a squealing sound from the belt. Luckily it happened right next to a napa store. Went in and they had it in stock. Went home and got some tools to do the job. All was ok after. Mine didn't give any signs of locking up. It was always quiet then boom. As long as everything is hooked up correctly, you wont hear it at all when its running. It great knowing that there are people that still want to keep the emissions working on these cars, even though there state doesn't require it.
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