Running with the air pump relay pulled out...

[StreetPizza]

Any negative effects with doing something like this? My air pump has been giving me problems, most notably a horrendous farting/grinding noise every time the revs drop down near idle. It was also making idle speeds erratic, and generally making the car feel really rough. After changing the oil today (oh, and big thanks to J4P RX and Andyp for their guides on that. Awesome stuff ) I figured, what the hell, and experimented by pulling the airpump relay fuse thing... No more farting noise, smooth idle at about 700 rpm, generally really good. As you can probably tell though, I\'m not much of a mechanic. Would it be harmful to the car to run with the relay removed, at least until I get the money/time to either get the airpump replaced, or have it removed entirely?

Oh, and whilst I\'m asking things, who would be the nearest rotary specialists to me? There are a few things that could use the attentions of an expert, if not now, then at least in a couple of thousand miles.

Thanks again, guys

[Donato]

I had similar problems with my airpump recently, i disconnected the electrical connector at the top of the airpump and it lasted a little longer then the bearings seized and snapped the alternator/water pump belt (of course i was first in a queue at the traffic lights!! :rolleyes: ) From start of grinding noise to seizure was just about four days of driving everyday so if the noise returns then get it sorted sharpish.

Previous to this i posted about running without the airpump connected and was told the car would run very rich at idle and the bearings would seize eventually. Car was off the road until i got another pump. they are not cheap, £800 from mazda but Jimmys do a reconditioned one for less than half that...

I was lucky as Joel sold me his spare one very cheap (thanks again Joel) Worth posting to see if anyone has a spare one...

If you ain\'t getting a grinding noise of it now then hopefully it should last a bit longer than mine!!

Cheers

Donato

[FDRZRich]

Running without the pump will eventually kill the cat, but I did it for a while as the bearings in mine collapsed. Must be all the heat from the turbos!! I managed to get a second hand one for less than a ton, you could try GP Autos in portsmouth - 02392 831213

[davefrith]

GP Autos is Reworx

Dave

[StreetPizza]

I was getting worried for a while there. £100 sounds a lot better than £800, that\'s for sure. I\'ve been trying not to drive it too much, but it\'s made a few journeys, and apart from running obviously rich at low RPM, it\'s been OK. I\'ll just have to keep my eyes peeled for a second hand one then, not such a nasty hit to the wallet as I thought it might be.

Good, now I can start worrying about other things, like the handbrake which is badly in need of adjustment, and the fact that kids (or drunk blokes) keep thieving the valve caps from my wheels.