Ok, I'm going to be removing some of my AIR pump components (just the tubes going to the exhaust manifolds), and I want to make sure my Haynes manual has given me the right instructions.

The only reason air goes to the manifolds is to warm up the O2 sensor. Otherwise, at the correct temp, it either goes to the cat or the silencer. If I install a heated O2, I won't have to worry.

I want to keep the diverter valve, that dumps the air to the atmosphere, so save the cat.

I want to disconnect the electrical connections to the switching valve, because when the circuit is open, air gets sent to the cat... is that right?

 

i just blocked them off(the air tubes) with bolts for now till i get headers installed

 

AlexJH, I also want to do this. I was thinking about putting a tube directly from the pump to the cat. That way you could eliminate the diverter valve altogether and clean up that side of the engine bay. I was told that unplugging the connectors at the div valve wouldn't throw any codes and the car would run fine. I don't know what kind of tubing to use, it will get pretty hot where It would have to run. Let me know if you find out anything more.

 

I removed the entire system. I plugged the holes in my manifolds ,and removed the pump. All thats left is the tube that comes up from the cat ,and I capped that. I have had no problems so far. Sure makes getting to the plugs easier.

 

I took EVERYTHING off, pump,tubing,etc. and then I pluged the holes with a little plug. the ones that have the alen head spot on them. looks great and makes it REALLY easy to work on :-)

 

Alex,

Leave the diverter valve alone. It shouldn't hurt anything. Without port air injection you may spew a little more HC while the engine is warming up, but it shouldn't cause any serious problems. If you disconnect the solenoid(s), you may get an error code since the ECM may scan for a load (resistance) on those outputs depending on the year of your car.

 

jagone,

there are two solenoids controlling the AIR pump. The diverter valve solenoid is important because when the engine is running rich, it vents air to the atmosphere to avoid damaging the cat.

The switching valve is the one to disconnect to run air to the cat all the time.

I just wanted to make sure the Haynes manual was correct in it's descriptions of the wiring.

Vader,

Error codes aren't a problem because I can burn my own proms.

 

I didn't know that AlexJH, How do I tell the diff? Are they both contained in the "black box" over the valve cover? I have already removed the A/C stuff, and I thought I was going to be able to clean up the rest of the stuff on that side of the engine by plumbing a line straight to the CAT. Any other ideas?

 

Well yah, remove the cat!

Auggie

 

Do you or anyone else recall the size of your allen plugs for the manifold? The size to plug the riser holes after removing the air tubes.

 

1/4" NPT , available at any hardware store . good luck .

 

Awesome, Thanks

 

can i take everything off and leave the smog pump on? i dont feel like rerouting the belt right now was thinkin i could just cap the tube coming outta it

 

It'll be fine if you leave the smog pump hooked up. The smog pump itself just blows air constantly. I would disconnect the diverter valve if you are taking it off. Pretty sure it's 12mm or 13mm bolts that hold it on. THat's the part that directs the airflow anyway and since the rest is coming off, pull that too. No real need for it if you don't have an emissions inspection.

 

do i need to cap off the tube that goes down to the cat?

 

Yes otherwise the fumes will come "up" the tube from the cat instead of the otherway around. I'd personally cut it off right at the cat and then bend it closed/weld it closed/crimp it as best you can. Or, get rid of the cat if you feel like it (Depending if you have visual emissions inspections or not). Of course, your car may run a bit richer without the cat, so a small retune may be needed.

 

You don't have to re route the belt, just get a shorter one.

 

Whats the size of the belt?

Ive searched and some say its 1inch shorter, but in the tech articles it says you need to only get a smaller one if you are using underdrive pulleys.