Pinto Car Club of America

So the original smog pump was making a very loud clicking sound every second or two. Louder than the engine running, even when revving. So I went to the parts store to find a replacement and it would cost me $60 for a reman. Well, I don't have $60. So I went to the junker and pulled one for $13.12. It works, but it still makes a slight clicking, Not the same tone as the old pump though, it's quieter, just more frequent. So I pulled one more, they sold it to me for $7 since the last one didn't work, but I'm hesitant to install it and just be disappointed.


I've replaced the air pump belt, as well as the alternator/fan belt. That alone quieted things down a good deal, but the smog pump is still making noise.

If I go to disassemble one of the, what should I look for for wear? I have popped the back off about a 1/2" off the original one, and there are no plastic parts in it like I have heard on google. Instead, the "fan" has a metal flap that seems to adjust within the assembly as it turns, and the "motor" part that turns is suspended by needle/roller bearings. I don't have a small enough bolt puller to pull the front plastic pulley off the unit to fully disassemble it though.