C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Smog/air pump noise (???)

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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 05:53 PM
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Default Smog/air pump noise (???)

1992 Corvette. This old guy would appreciate a tutorial on the smog/air pump related to 'noise'. ( I thought my engine bay was clean until I saw the photo)

At times, when driving, and coming to a stop at idle, I can hear a faint 'thump thump thump' (similar to a fan) emanating from the engine bay near the fire wall, not from the left front area where the pump is located.

The noise is not evident under acceleration, just at idle, and it is not RPM related, and not constant.

The photo shows the location 'I think' is the source of the noise. I cannot reproduce the noise in my garage.

What is the name of the unit in the photo, and would it transfer the pump noise?

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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 06:28 PM
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My 1986 is making the same noise and I can't find it either. Same symptoms.
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by tilac999
My 1986 is making the same noise and I can't find it either. Same symptoms.



Good..... there is safety in numbers.
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 10:08 PM
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thats an air pump diverter valve(anti reversion)
its function is like a one way valve, it allows air to flow into the exhaust but keeps exhaust from flowing out.
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ladystoy69
thats an air pump diverter valve(anti reversion) its function is like a one way valve, it allows air to flow into the exhaust but keeps exhaust from flowing out.
Perfect explanation..... thanks for keeping it simple and concise.

Does the air pump work continuously, or is the operation governed by an O2 sensor, or other sensor?

Would the air pump noise be transmitted through the hose up to
the valve, and amplified by the valve housing?
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 10:59 PM
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Operation: Pump Type - The spinning vanes of the air pump force air into the diverter valve. During acceleration air is forced through the diverter valve, the check valve, the air injection manifold, and into the exhaust stream. During deceleration the diverter valve blocks air flow, preventing a backfire that could damage the exhaust system. When needed, the diverter valve will release excess pressure to the air cleaner.

other then that i dont know sorry, i have eliminated all mine but think i recal some sort of a electric valve to control it but i could be wrong or maybe that was to devert it from exhaust to cat converter.

on a 92 it may work a lil differantly then mine did anyhow but the basic operation explained above would still basically be same.
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 11:14 PM
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It appears that deleting the pump and related components (as you have done) is a plus:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...mp-Removal.php

Just wonder how my CA smog people will respond?
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 11:19 PM
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ummm i dont think i would try it in CA. .
they dont even seem to care if you pass without emission stuff, far as i know they also do a visual check and that would be enough to fail you no mater what the exhause sniffer says.
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Old Aug 4, 2013 | 11:26 PM
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Thanks for taking the time to respond, Jerry. Much appreciated.
Will leave leave air pump, etc. in place, and ignore the 'sometime'
noise. Certainly not a big deal.
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Old Aug 5, 2013 | 03:42 AM
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The routing of the air from the AIR pump is controlled by the ECM.

I don't know how it works on your year, but on my car the air sometimes gets diverted to the outside world through a muffler and sometimes goes to the exhaust manifolds or the catalytic converter. All controlled by the ECM.
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Old Aug 5, 2013 | 05:21 AM
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Is it possible to find a smaller belt and bypass the smog pump pulley? I don't want to do an elimination kit.
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Old Aug 5, 2013 | 06:14 AM
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Originally Posted by tilac999
Is it possible to find a smaller belt and bypass the smog pump pulley? I don't want to do an elimination kit.
nope not on an 86. but your options are remove the pump and replace with an eliminator or gut your air pump.. gutted it will still be there for belt routing, the pully and bearing will still function but the internals just wont pump any air (i ran gutted pump a long time before getting the eliminator.
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Old Aug 5, 2013 | 05:15 PM
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My pump seems to be fine, not loud at all. I think I need to look into the divert silencer or an AIR valve problem. Sounds like a "chuffing" sound/exhaust leak. It's intermittent.
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Old Aug 5, 2013 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by tilac999
My pump seems to be fine, not loud at all......... Sounds like a "chuffing" sound/exhaust leak. It's intermittent.
Yep...... good description.
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Old Aug 7, 2013 | 05:05 AM
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I'm going to try and disconnect the power to the solenoids and valves and see if the noise goes away.
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Old Aug 7, 2013 | 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by tilac999
I'm going to try and disconnect the power to the solenoids and valves and see if the noise goes away.
i suppose it could be that your hearing the air pump venting off into atmosphere, but from the discription of exhaust leak sound it could be that one of the valves is getting tired (weak)and or leaking.
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Old Aug 7, 2013 | 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by tilac999
I'm going to try and disconnect the power to the solenoids and valves and see if the noise goes away.
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Old Aug 7, 2013 | 10:12 AM
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You can replace those check valves on the exhaust, I deleted mine and you can have my valves if they are hard to locate.
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Old Aug 7, 2013 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by S S0DEN
You can replace those check valves on the exhaust, I deleted mine and you can have my valves if they are hard to locate.


Please explain more....... with reference to the photo in my first post, can the valve just be gutted?
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Old Aug 7, 2013 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by S S0DEN
You can replace those check valves on the exhaust, I deleted mine and you can have my valves if they are hard to locate.
nice offer

trying to keep my 84 stock. changed the valve on it, and it looked like the one in your pix. not sure if they use the same valve over the years, but.

any way found a new one at napa for $18. wasn't to hard to find.
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