'98 S70 SAS valve needed also?

DanK · Post by **DanK** » 25 Sep 2007, 20:15

1998 S70 GLT with 156K miles. Had air pump replaced in Feb '07 with 138K miles. SAS valve was not replaced, only air pump. Noticed today that the air pump was whinning loudly again. If I replace the SAS valve, will I save the air pump? No CEL on yet. Thanks.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Sep 2007, 20:48

Usually when the pump goes, it goes. If it's just whining at this point it could be salvageable, if not too far gone. I've seen where drilling 2 small holes at the very bottom of the pump will allow the water out of it and keep it moisture free. Some people have squirted oil in from these holes as well, but I don't know if that really does any good. The reason it begins to whine is because of moisture that a defective SAS valve let's into it, oxidizing the bearings (that's called rust). Nice design by Volvo huh? Putting the SAS valve above the air pump virtually guarantees any condensation that it doesn't stop to drip into the pump. It's too bad that you didn't change out the SAS valve when you did the pump exchange. Btw, after the whine comes a grind and then finally it will seize and stop making noise completely. In the meantime you'll get an engine light (and codes) for a non-functional secondary air pump. Good news is that all this pump is good for is passing emissions testing, so if your state doesn't have it, you can ignore the pump all together. It only comes on at the beginning of your drive and with certain conditions when you come to a stop.