On my way to school today i noticed a chirping noise that almost sounded like a throw out bearing. About 2 miles from school a loud screeching noise (typically associated with a seizing bearing) was coming from under the hood. I pull into school and notice that the belt that goes around the alternator, air pump, etc is ripped and just laying there. I turn the alternator pulley and it spins freely. Go to turn the air pump pulley and *frozen*. Well i get home call Mazda and they dont *surprise* make a replacement bearing or cartridge. New Air pump is $974. 20! OUch! Any suggestions on what i should do? Anyone wanna sell me a used Air pump? i need help. Thanks

Darril

 

my friend on this board "meloco" has a air pump for sale for cheap... private message him or email him at meloco5@home.com

 

CHeck your P.M. I have what you need.

 

I bought a used one when mine locked up. Just unplug it for now and you can still drive till you get a new one. Its clutch driven so if its unplugged it will free wheel. I got a used one for about 80 bucks. Check the parts trader and you can usually find one for around that price.

 

Wow, thanks for the help guys. MeLoco please check your PMs.

Darril

 

I think it's time for the greddy air pump removal pulleys

 

How can I prevent Air Pump Wear?

 

You can't. It's just one of those things that goes.
What you MIGHT be able to do is open it up and oil it a bit, but I have never known someone actually going through this hassle to do so.

 

Correct, you can't rebuild these air pumps of ours i heard. So just buy a used one. Like you said they do cost a pretty penny. I got ripped off when mine went bad. I paid $400 for a used one with labor at a rotary shop. I didn't know much about my ride back then. Now you could just come here and fellow FDer's could help you by selling you a used one for cheap. Just pay for the labor or do-it yourself if your machanically inclined.

 

I have one as well if you still need it.

 

I paid $500 for mine and it was probably from the same race shop as tlmuas went to. If you have a '93, was your air pump working beore you brought it in the shop? Oh and I had the damn greddy kit installed but no one knew what size belt to use and they would not disable it.

 

Yank it off and **** off a tree hugger!!!
Disable it??? Just unplug it the damn thing at the top. Whats this disable stuff!!!??

 

When mine siezed, the wheel locked and the belt burned off. I didn't think unpluging it would free spin the wheel. I didn't even know what that part was and didn't have my 2nd car at the time. oh, I also heard to pull the fuse but have no idea if that will let the wheel spin freely as well.

 

I don't know how much truth there is to it, but it has been said for a long time that using air intakes that don't suck in cool air can cause the air pump to prematurely fail. Do you have an Apexi, HKS, or Amemiya open intake?

Wade

 

Mine died promptly after running an open intake.

Well probably after about 6000 miles on an open intake.

Live and learn.

thesaint

 

same here i tossed mine after about 6k with Camerons intake (pettit racing) heh he forgot to tell me that when i picked it up.....bum. no worries though no more annoying air pump sound plus i can see my turbos now! well one of em

 

Why does anyone still have an air pump?

Kevin T. Wyum

 

I think it's just an overpriced wearable part, just like an alternator or water pump. My friends is going on his auto and his was stock when he bought and now uses a Tri-Point intake, so I don't beleive hot air has anything to do with it unless it's the heat from the engine.

 

MIDPIPE !!! YANK THAT POS off!!!!!, but for emissions purposes, u might want to get another

 

Got Mine for 30$

 

ummm...Do people still use those things? I wouldnt pay 500 dollars for something that takes up space.Unless u need it for emissions, then thats a different story.

Andres