well, i have isolated one of those most fun and memorable rattling noises to what seems to be the smog / air pump. it sounds like a bearing is going loose again. I had this happen at the beginning of the year and replaced the pump. of course, now it is out of warranty (90 days refurb.) and I can't predict when I think this thing is going to lock up on me. could be a couple days, could be a couple weeks.

anyhow, I have two questions for curiosity's sake:

1. does anyone know how to prevent this pump from going out on me? any belt adjustment or magic voodoo?

2. what would be wrong with not using the pump for a few weeks or months even?
(I am figuring that I can just take the belt off for now until I put another pump on so I can be drivable. I just hate the suspense of waiting for a noise to reveal it's true self in the form of disabling my car.)

I know it pumps clean air into the intake manifold helping to freshin up your smog. I just passed smog, so I am not so concerned about it working right now. however, I don't want to run the car without a functioning pump if it is going to gum anything up or what not and hurt my odds of getting my '76 volvo smogged again.

sum: Q-1: can I help the pump out before it dies somehow? Q-2: any problems/damage driving without a working smog pump?

yee har...

thanks...