what does a air pump sound like when they are getting ready to go out? I have a sound that I thought was alternator bearings going out, but the noise seem to be coming from lower passenger side of the motor, and only when the motor is at operating temperatures.

I just about got all little noises stopped and or quieted down and running smooth.

 

HUH? Air pump? Perhaps you are referring to the A/C compressor;which sits on top of the RF engine? As far as I know,no A I R (air injection recovery systems) were used on any GM product later than about 1985 or 1986! It seems to me that you should look at the idler/tensioner assembly which is located below the A/C! Easy fix! Do a search on this site! All the best to you!

 

Of all of the AIR pumps I have replaced (4 total), they all were locked up so I never did get to hear them die. You could try unplugging it and seeing if the noise persists.

Step, there is an AIR (air injection reaction) pump on the 2nd gens. Not sure about the 1st gens. On the 2nd gens, it is located under the passenger side of the radiator. It is an electronic pump that sends fresh outside air into the exhaust stream ahead of the catalytic converter to supposedly improve the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

 

that's where the noised seems to be coming from.
Is there a plug or fuse that can be pulled somewhere? to temporary disable it?

 

already changed the idler and belt tensioner both.

the noise is much lower that them
I was wondering if the intake hose might have sucked in some water.

 

it was the air pump. I found the fuse for the pump and pulled it and the noise went away, plug it in and it came back. ah another thing to fix this weekend.

 

Last time I heard one getting bad it sounded like a really old vacuum cleaner with bad bearings in it LOL

 

that is a pretty good description of it. I didn't know they were electrical, I seen it under there while I was doing some work on the steering, at the time I didn't know what it was. it sounded like bearings of some kind going out on something. but it wasn't there all the time.

 

It was a long time ago when I read it but there is something about installing a new pump and running longer hoses, read up before you pay out and ruin a new one

 

yeah I think I remember something about longer hose that went up and around the battery or something like that.

I am still trying to get it off. damn they are expensive $185

I don't know if i would trust a used one