Smog pump

[capriceowns]

Today I was driving the caprice, and I heard a lot of squeaking and somrthing pounding so I pullled in a mcdonalds lot and saw that my crappy alternator belt gave way, and was ripping its self a part. I called up my dad, he picked up a belt, and we changed it in the parking lot, lol. it wasnt too hard.

but I noticed my smog pump doesnt have a belt, and I have no idea what that pump does. what does it do?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by capriceowns

Today I was driving the caprice, and I heard a lot of squeaking and somrthing pounding so I pullled in a mcdonalds lot and saw that my crappy alternator belt gave way, and was ripping its self a part. I called up my dad, he picked up a belt, and we changed it in the parking lot, lol. it wasnt too hard.

but I noticed my smog pump doesnt have a belt, and I have no idea what that pump does. what does it do?

It pumps air into the exhaust system, generally by injecting it into the head, aft of the valve but ahead of the manifold, in order to more completely burn hydrocarbons present in the exhaust, and supplying more oxygen to the catalytic converter to aid in catalysis of the exhaust gasses.

It's required for the proper operation of the emission control systems.

Google "Air Injection Reaction".

[capriceowns]

Will not using it effect the way my car will run?

[HLandin]

Originally Posted by capriceowns

but I noticed my smog pump doesnt have a belt, and I have no idea what that pump does. what does it do?

It should run off the serpentine belt. If its not on the belt, that could indicate issues (like the belt not routed properly). The smog or air pump supplies air to exhaust manifold on startup and to the cat during normal running for more complete combustion, just like silicon212 said. The smog pump is part of the A.I.R. (Air Injection Reaction) system, which consists of the smog pump along with the diverter valve, check valves, and hoses.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by HLandin

It should run off the serpentine belt. If its not on the belt, that could indicate issues (like the belt not routed properly). The smog or air pump supplies air to exhaust manifold on startup and to the cat during normal running for more complete combustion, just like silicon212 said. The smog pump is part of the A.I.R. (Air Injection Reaction) system, which consists of the smog pump along with the diverter valve, check valves, and hoses.

In 1987, there was no serpentine belt per se, it used standard V-belts as on older cars with the exception of the alternator/fan belt, which was a V-ribbed belt (as on a serpentine system). The smog pump belt runs between the water pump pulley and the smog pump - there's no other pulley it runs on.

Not having this belt likely won't affect the way the car is running in the short term, but it could lead to premature cat burnout (insufficient oxygen in the cat for complete catalyzation and an increase in temp). It might also screw with your oxygen sensor, which is downstream of where the air is pumped in - in all cases.

[capriceowns]

I didnt know that, about the cat burnout. I'll get a belt for it and just leave it alone.

I also had this metal tube come off my cat that goes to my egr, but it rotted through and wasnt connected. I fixed that though

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by capriceowns

I didnt know that, about the cat burnout. I'll get a belt for it and just leave it alone.

I also had this metal tube come off my cat that goes to my egr, but it rotted through and wasnt connected. I fixed that though

That shouldn't go to the EGR - only the smog pump. EGR on these engines is contained completely within the intake manifold.

[capriceowns]

thats weird, idk what it goes to, I thought it was my EGR. ill have to look into it some more, it seemed important, lol.