http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1474/wtfbbq2jm.th.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wtfbbq2jm.jpg)

This thing is rattling like crazy, but I have no idea what it is, and I can't really afford to take it to a shop, my hanes manual doesn't say what it is, so I thought I'd ask you all... so... what is it?

first one to tell me the right answer gets a dollar...

and for the record the answer "a pulley" does not count.

If I had to venture a guess, I would say its your A/C compressor.

No, that's the one about it, I know which that one is, if not I'd be the worst HVAV technician ever...
it looks like it's connected to part of the emessions stuff...

Thank you for trying though.

OHHHH, my car has the same thing.... its an air pump. It pumps air into the exhaust manifolds and catylitic converter. You'd better bypass it soon, because if its making noise, then its going to sieze up on you and snap your belt. Mine ddid, but I went to the junk yard to get another one. You can't pass inspection without it.

Oh, and I'd also move that yellow amp wire away from the engine if I were you. It could chaff, and then you could fry the whole car if not properly fused.

could be air pump might be idler pully either way you need to replace it asafp

it's not an amp wire, but I know what you mean, it's not fused because... well, it's not touching anything and I keep an eye on it constantly.

Air pump eh?

just checked it out, that's it, you got paypal pete? If you do PM me you address and I'll send you your dollar, as promised.

PeterGMC25@aol.com

bet you didn't think I was serious...

Yeah, you're right :-) I figured I'd help yah out anyway, seeing that these damn air pumps can cause all kinds of problems when they go. Thanks.

Pete's got it. Air pump. Used to pump oxygen into the exhaust for "post combustion burn". The oxygen helps burn off unburned hydrocarbons. By way of the diverter valve, it will pump oxygen into the exhaust during cold starts, or, when your fuel management system is in "open" loop.

Jim S.

OHHHH, my car has the same thing.... its an air pump... You can't pass inspection without it.
I beg to differ, sir.
In most states you can delete it, plug the exhaust ports and apply a sticker on your radiator mount declaring that it has been removed.
I'll see if I can find a picture of the sticker that is required for that purpose.

This is what it looks like:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/351400airpumpdec.jpg

Here's (http://www.impalasuperstore.com/naisso/superstore40/shopexd.asp?id=1094) where you can get it...

That won't cut it in PA. For some counties, they actually made a visual emission insection part of the safety inspection. You may be under the 5k mile
exemption, but, you won't pass the safety inspection if the emission system has been tampered with. I'm a certified emission inspector, and personally I think the whole emission program has become nothing but a "cash cow" for the state. Not to mention MCI (for transmitting the data via phone line). $4.65 per call/test. You do the math!!

Jim S.

All the states are going that way, New York started it last October. Like you said, it's a cash cow, they charge the dealer a dollar for each transmission, and 2 are required for each inspection, so some dealers are playing it cute and listing the inspection at $14.95, but the fine print say's it doesn't include the cost of the sticker or the phone charges. I am going to put my 1994 Caprice with the LT1 back on the road, so it doesn't need to be tested.

Yes, here in NY my Caprice failed inspection because the air pump line going into the catylitic converter was broke, and I tapped the line and put a bolt into it to stop it from leaking, but they made me re-attach the air line before passing it.

most counties in nc have gone to new inspection $30 for 96 and up all visual check and computer check of obd