Air Pump?
 

So, took my 8 in for 72,000 mi oil change and to get this really high pitched whine looked at. Every time I let the car sit for awhile ( about a day or so ) and start it up, there's a horrid whine for about 20 seconds, and it's been getting worse lately. They called me and said that it is the air pump, which is part of the emissions system and that with labor it's like 500 some dollars to fix. I'm not sure if it's really getting worse or not, because I just got a beater 1990 miata and haven't been driving it as much so I might just be noticing it more often.

Anyways, my question is, how important is it to get this fixed? I just got laid off and I don't know if I have that kind of money available to me right now, sorta dips into my reserves pretty quickly. Do I only need to get it replaced when it needs to get inspected and pass emissions?

Oh, and the stupid extended warranty I got doesn't cover it, which is like, the 3rd thing in a row it failed to cover. Worst like $1500 I ever spent!

Do you still hear the noise after the car warm up? Because on my you can hear it when you start the car and it circulates the air to improve emissions but it stops after that. I think you will still pass emissions (DEQ) like that.

CHR is correct... the air pump is there to pump air through your exhaust manifold to your cat in order to get it up to operating temp faster... (why it only runs for 20-30 seconds at start up)

If it were me. . . I would deal with the whine and get a midpipe (no cat to ruin).

But I think PA has emission testing, you'd need your cat. I bet you can find someone that has removed their airpump that is willing to sell it to you. Its a pretty easy job to do yourself.

hmmmm, yes the whine goes away after start, for now I'm just letting it go, and trying to see if anyone has one

My Dealer told me I need to replace my air pump for $550 lol but my air pump has never made any noise what so ever. Maybe mine just died.

wow... 500 bucks for a bosch air pump?

A good new pipe (RB Dual Res): $350 (i think) < $500 OEM Airpump.

Easy decision there.