Hi All,
I have been reading up on several posts regarding deleting the mechanical air pump on M104s due to pulley bearing etc. Many have gone the route of a simple delete and using a shorter belt.

I would be curious as to your long term experience going this way. Any noticeable negatives? Increased belt wear, idler pulley wear?

For any air-pump experts, I have another question regarding the clutch engagement. I have over the past few months the dreaded squeal at cold start-up for about a minute and then goes away syndrome, so it seems to indicate the pump bearing is going bad and the pulley bearing is fine as no noise from it after the first minute nor at speed.

Unplugged the clutch wire, still happens like clock work, cold start up 1 min screech then smooth?? Okay, remove the clutch plate assembly....Still happens, like clock work????? What could possibly be engaging with both the wire unplugged and clutch assembly (external) removed?

This one has stumped me, at first I thought friction possibly but the repeated timing of it cutting out leaves me wondering, unless that little bit of heat generated from friction is what causes it to free up a minute later.

Any ideas?

This is what's leading me down the delete path, at least to bench the pump and tear into it for a while.

TIA

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Stable Mates:
1987 300TD 310K mi (Hans)
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee OM642 165k mi (Benzrokee)