Al Gietzen wrote:

 > There is one thing to remember about the Mazda air pumps. From what

I

have

seen,
 > when they fail, they lock up solid.

Certainly this is a possible failure mode.  However, from what I have been
able to gather talking to mechanics (and my own experience) is that the far
more likely failure is simply wearing out of the vans and they get noisy and
don't pump anymore.  This is not Mazda pumps in particular; but the Mazda
pump appears to be very similar to those used on many other vehicles.

Locking up of the pump could have more serious consequences, since burning
out (and losing that belt, could take out the alternator belt as well.  Then
you can hopefully still fly as far as your battery (batteries) will take
you.

FWIW.

Al

 
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