Air pump--Help needed!

[JimM]

My air pump decided to take a rest for a few turns of the motor on Monday. After finding the screeching belt on the stopped pully (no more than 5 seconds) I shut the engine off. Restarted with one small screech and then ran fine. I can't assume that this is normal so whats up? How important is the air pump? Yes I do have to go thru smog tests every 2 years (not until August 2010). Are these rebuildable or do I need to get another one? If I need to get another, does anyone besides Bruce's carry them--I couldn't find them in their catalogs. Thank you in advance for your help.

Thanks Jim

[mbouse]

if you lived anywhere else but smog testing California, i'd suggest taking the belt off and driving the car.

since you won't move from CA, give mark allison a shout.

[So Cal Mark]

the pumps seize for a variety of reasons, but a common cause is the failure of the check valve on the air injection rail. That allows exhaust to get into the pump causing corrosion. The pumps are available at most any parts supply since it's a GM pump. Plan on replacing the check valve, and it's also a GM part so it's available and pretty cheap.
The car will run fine without the pump, albeit with higher emissions and won't pass the smog check for either visual or emissions.

[JimM]

Thank you both for the help. I will replace as soon as possible, but it doesn't sound like it will hurt anything if I run it like this for a week or two. Again Thank you for the help.

Jim