Air injection belt replace or not?

rrental · rrental's Garage

Finally got some time to go over the engine bay. Planning to replace some belts and found half a belt in the far left corner. It's the air injection 70t belt.

I have been reading up a bit and it seems the air injection is only needed for smog purposes.

I don't have the time to remove the complete system but would it be ok to leave it without a belt, as in non working?

Thanks!

billjam · billjam's Garage

Yes, leave it off.
Consider it weight saving.

rrental · rrental's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by billjam

Yes, leave it off.
Consider it weight saving.

A massive 0,2 lbs weight saving! Looks like a PITA to put a new one on.

Tt surgeon · 07-26-2012, 08:15 AM

I would ditch the air injection and plug the holes while you're at it....

Telerding · Telerding's Garage

I'd be careful about just removing the belt. I have heard and experienced on US cars that stopping the air flow can lead to burnout of a check valve that keeps exhaust gas/flames from exiting into the air injection pump hoses and the pump itself. Some of the hoses may be just rubber. Could lead to an engine fire??

I would recommend that if you want to leave the air injection system disabled, that you remove all the components and plug any exhaust fittings. Save the parts, though, as next owner may live in a state that requires smog equipment.

rrental · rrental's Garage

Thanks for the replies! did have some time left today and decided to rip the system out. Left the tubes on the bottom for this winter when I got a bit more time.

Took a 2 hour test drive and all is well!

fredmeister · fredmeister's Garage

There are lots of postings on removing the spider web and plugging the exhaust ports with fittings.
As long as the govt wont bust you for smog equipment, you should be good.

Pelican sells the little plugs which also are used for 914 brake calipers, dont remember the part number/name.

But what I want to say is buy a few spares because occasionally they blow out on the road in the most inopportune times making for a noisy exhaust leak. First time it happens you will crap your pants thinking you broke a header, blew an exhaust port gasket or some other expensive problem.

Fred