I've never understood the purpose of the air pump ...

What exactly is its purpose?
How important is it?
If it fails...how drastically is performance affected?

As it stands at this time, the air pump is making a "growling" sound as you start the car up and it quiets down about 10-15 seconds after the car starts to idle. I'm sure I'm seeing/hearing the beginning of a problem. I want to take care of this before it gets too cold and I end up getting a call from the wife - stranded someplace unpleasant.

And last, but not least, how many $$$s for either a new, or re-manufactured (if possible) unit.

Thanks in advance for any information.

BTW, this AP is in a '77 280E unit, the engine is the 110.984 series.

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
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“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~