What is it?

[logantv]

My 1992 325is doesn't have this piece, but I'm trying to replace it for my neighbor's 1998 328is. Under the hood on the passenger side between the strut tower and the firewall is a black plastic turbocharger type part. It has a hose coming out that goes up by the headlight and doesn't connect to anything. On the input side it has a vacuum line and an air hose coming from the head. I'm going off memory and it was last week, but I can probably come up with better details if I need to. DOes anybody know what this is? I'm guessing it's something for emissions, and in Illinois they don't check emissions, so I can just unhook it to stop the impeller from squealing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Logan

[Dudesky_E36]

That's probably the secondary air pump. I know it turns on for a while just after starting the car to lower emissions, but that's all I know about it.

[Delmarco]

pictures

[4evrwyntr]

That is the secondary air pump. Sounds kind of like a vaccuum for maybe 5 minutes after you start your car? Listen carefully next time. It's just there to supplement air to your engine while it's cold, or something to that effect. I've never heard of any "upgrades" you can perform on this... but you never know. And... NO TURBO FOR YOU!

[Cruzin 323is]

pretty hard to visualize what your taking about...

[4evrwyntr]

I'll take a picture of mine. And then we'll compare.

EDIT: Okay, so I took the pic, but I can't post it. But it's crappy anyway.

[4evrwyntr]

Okay, I'm stupid, I found the attachments button. Is THIS what you were talking about? It is the terminating end (where the air goes in) just behind the passenger side headlight. It goes into a little black box near the rear of the compartment, passenger side.

Sorry, like I had previously mentioned, the camera sucks, needs lots of light, and it was dark out when I took the picture. The flashlight was small and didn't help. But I think this is what you were talking about - the secondary air pump.

NEvermind. I can't attach the file, it's too large. I have a 39.1 KB limit...

[Dudesky_E36]

My car's a '92 so I don't have it. I hate referencing another board, but here is all you need to know and see:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=92029

[logantv]

I know it's not a turbocharger, and thanks a bunch for the help from everybody. I couldn't find it in the Bentley manual anywhere but I try to stay on my neighbor's good side since he's a state cop .