Hi All,
Got back today and noticed that my car was making a rattling/clacking sound that moved with the rpm. Sounds alot like the valves are hitting $hit. Anyways, so I get home and remove the serpentine belt and start her up. The sound is gone. Phew! Thought it was the motor. Anyways, I've had the air pump running on there for a while without the diverter and tubes and the sound is coming from that side (passenger) area of the car. Can I remove it and somehow reroute my belt so that things will work? The AC pump moves very freely so I don't think it's that. The alternator is only 5000miles old so I don't think it's that either (besides, it's on the driver side).
Can be one of four things:
1. Air Pump
2. A/C
3. Alternator
4. Power Steering pump.
Tomorrow, I'd like to remove the Air pump. I was thinking of spinning it up with a drill or something on the bench to see if it makes the noise. Question: Can I gut this thing if it is making the noise so I can reinstall it thus keepign the belt routing the same? I have a strong feelign it's the air pump.

 

You can remove the AIR pump and reroute the belt. I believe there is a Tech Article on the procedure, and it may even have part numbers.

Once the AIR pump is disconnected, you should be able to determine its condition fairly easily. Don't overlook the other accessories as well, like an AC clutch, PS pump. or water pump (loose impeller?).

You may be able to take your AIR pump to a parts store and have them strap it on to their alternator tester to spin it up to operating RPM. It's rumored that Autozone, Checker, Pep Boys, and other such places offer free alternator testing. It's worth a call, at least.

 

Damn,
Didn't even think about the water pump. It's only 3 years old with less than 25000miles on it. I guess anything's possible...
The A/C pump clutch is fully disengaged so I know it ain't that..unless it's a bearing in there.
Thanks for the thought Vader,
I'll begin with the air pump.

 

Ok, so I got the pump off and apart. I heard some guys talking about gutting it. How can I get the insides out. They apear to be solid in there and won't fit through the bearing race. Anyways, I'd like to not put it back at all for the time being. GM wants 353.00 for a new pump..ouch, f that.

I guess I'll try finding a short belt or something. Does anyone know what size I need and how to keep the routing the same??

 

Bone yard?

 

Thanks,
Found the tech article and everything worked great...except that I used a 970k6 instead of the 968k6. Look good and the car runs fine.

 

Checker carries refurbished AIR pumps for around 80. I found out mine was taking a dump when I spun it by hand after untensioning the belt, and I also had it running open (still do).

Ever get that thing apart? I'm looking to gut mine also. (I only run cats 1 day a year. )

 

air pumps seem to break down after a while. My beltline is much quiter without it.

 

Comes apart pretty easily. There's a bearing in there that looks kinda toasted so f-it.