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

Does this sound like the AIR pump?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 15, 2014 | 06:43 PM
  #1  
Inpheksion's Avatar
Inpheksion
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Harford MD
Default Does this sound like the AIR pump?

So I was driving and started hearing what I thought was some belt squeal. Got to where I was going and popped the hood and it didn't sound like belt squeal. It almost sounds like one of the fins or something in the AIR pump broke and is jangling around inside of it. Opinions? I was planning on still driving the car till the weekend (It is my DD) and just pulling the pump off and emptying out the bits and finishing gutting it. Would this be okay, or could driving it like this actually cause problems (other than be annoying until the weekend)? The worst thing I can imagine happening would be a little piece makes it out of the pump, and just gets stuck in the AIR tubes, which I am removing anyway.

Any help and insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2014 | 07:18 PM
  #2  
bogus's Avatar
bogus
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Default

they implode... as they age, they simply come apart. You will want to do bypass to do it right.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2014 | 07:50 PM
  #3  
Inpheksion's Avatar
Inpheksion
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Harford MD
Default

Thank you for the info!

I've seen a few threads on how to gut them (want to keep it looking factory), so I was planning on simply doing that. MY main concern is if it is unsafe to drive for a few days like this. I wouldn't imaging so, unless by some small chance the pump managed to completely lock the pulley, although I feel like that is highly unlikely.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2014 | 01:40 AM
  #4  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Take off the serpentine belt and spin the pump by hand to verify that it is indeed the problem. If not, try the other accessories.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2014 | 10:04 AM
  #5  
leesvet's Avatar
leesvet
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Default

Take the discharge hose OFF and see if there are any chunks.....

if NOT and the pump pulley spins freely, THEN you may have an idler/tension failing.

A failing tensioner sounds like a horrid squeal / squeak and it can be confirmed by ANY movement of the tensioner at idle.

Once you lose bits of the air pump vanes...it will either seize or explode and THEN you will be screwed...

replacements are $50. Be sure to NEVER allow one to get wet or oiled. That's how/why they break and die.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2014 | 10:10 AM
  #6  
DanielRicany's Avatar
DanielRicany
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Default

Get a long screw driver, place the tip on the pump and the handle on your ear. Go around to each accessory and whichever one sounds the most pronounced is faulty.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Does this sound like the AIR pump?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:44 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE