duckyjp

ok I was driving my car today just cruising, no hard driving or anything and it started to make a funny whirring or rattly noise off and on. I pulled into a parking lot to listen to it because it continued at idle too. Not continuously, but off and on frequently. I was worried it was coming from the engine but now i think it is from the air pump or the pulley attatched to it. It was from that area anyway. As i rev the car the intensity of the sound increases as well. At idle it is a sort or squeaky rattle or whirr. What could this be? I'm guessing it is the pulley on the air pump but how do i fix it? What do I need to lube or tighten or replace? A belt, a pulley, the pump? Is there something else this could be? Have you had a similar problem? I have had no problems recently and this one popped up out of the blue. BTW, the engine only has 17k on it, vacuum is just a hair less than 20, idle is smooth, temp gauge is normal and oil is properly filled. Don't think i blew the engine especially since i was walking it around town and have been lately. I did take about a 3 hr trip home for thanksgiving but it had been fine since. Let me know if you need any more info.

duckyjp

Well, after looking around here for awhile I realized that the air pump sucks and that was probably the problem. So I learned I could just unplug it and seer if it stopped. Sure enough it did although the idle got a little shaky (common). ANd it was fine. Sure enough, when i plugged it back in it was rattling again. So i need a new air pump. Is there anyplace that shows how to replace/install a new one? I am looking into thepartstrader.com and would like to do the switch myself. Also is it safe to drive 2 or 3 hours w/ stock cats in place and airpump unplugged? Or is it safe to drive with it squeaking? I have to get it back to school while I wait for the part.

REDLINE

Yeah, mine is suddenly making this weird chirping, rattling sound. I can only hear it when idling since its not that loud. But it does souund likes its coming from the airpump. Almost sounds like the bearings might need lubrication or something.....is there a replacemtnt for this airpump other than the $1300 from Mazda? I thought about the parts trader, but I'm not sure how long the used ones will last either...

-Thanks.

duckyjp

I would look for a used one on the forum. I have gotten offers anywhere from twenty to eighty for a used one. I have a parts trader post too. I figure for that price, who cares if it breaks again. It's not a part that's in demand as tons of people are eliminating them when they get midpipes, etc... That brings the price way down for unlucky souls like us.

REDLINE

Really? We have that many people out there that are removing their airpumps? Wow! Thats great news for us. I thought the demand would out weigh the supply....