My mechanic told me I don't need any of that vacuum system and I bought a plate from MazdaTrix (or someplace like that) that blocks off where the vacuum goes into the intake (?).

I searched the forum and there doesn't seem to be anything about this except how to use vacuum caps and how to FIX the vacuum. But I want to remove it all.

Is there any problem with doing this?

 

are you referring to the brake booster ports @ manifold?

 

Well, my mechanic pointed at the vacuum pump and said we can take that off - with all the other vacuum lines. I'm no mechanic, but if you can tell me which things we NEED (that we might confuse with something we DON'T need) - that would be great.

Some of them have - what look like - soleniods on the ends of them

I'll try to take pictures next time I'm around the car and point out which ones we are looking at removing.

 

Head for the faqs at the top of the forum in the stickies and read up on rats nest removal. If your mechanic is calling the air pump a vacuum pump, run far far away.

 

^ That was my first thought also. Besides DIY man, learn, gain confidence, satisfaction and save big $.

There is nothing that you want to do that hasn't been done by someone in here.

And welcome to the dark side......

 

Thanks. Actually he called it an "air pump" but said it is for the vacuum system. I will look for the rats nest removal thread.

Thanks for the tips. THIS is why I'm asking before letting him do it.

 

The air pump is NOT for the vacuum system. It pumps fresh air into the cats to aid in emissons and cat longevity.

 

There is no vacuum pump on our cars. If your mechanic mistook your cat's airpump for a vacuum pump, you'd best be doing it yourself or finding someone who knows what they're doing.

The only vacuum-operated things you really need are : Vacuum brake booster (plugs to back of intake mani) and vacuum advance for distributor (plugs to second port on the spacer under the carb.

It also helps to have a PCV valve.

Jon

 

This isn't good news, but it reassured my thoughts. I came home last night and said, "You know, I don't think he knows as much as I thought........."