For relieving stress: I really doubt it, I mean since your air pump isnt doing anything, it probably isn't stressing the engine a whole lot anyway.

FYI: I thought i needed a new seal too for mine, it was leaking quite badly. But I took the hoses off, bled them out, put new clamps on and tightened them well, and now it doesnt leak at all - it wouldnt hurt to try that first!