Replacing Secondary Air Injection Pump

[dmacsboysrule]

Ok. New to this forum, so bear with me. I'm pretty sure I've got the loud buzzing/whining sound I hear coming from my passenger side air intake area on my 1999 Boxster: sounds like the bearings are going out on the secondary air pump. I've done some searching online and I can't find any blow-up diagrams that would point to any other type of fan or pump (e.g. radiators and radiator fans are up in front of car, only comes on once in a while for about 60 seconds at a time, etc.). Recently had all of the SAI check valves replaced to try and clear P0430 and P1411 codes. Those have since cleared and not come back. But now the pump itself has started buzzing/whining.

Does this diagnosis sound right to anyone???

And if yes, how difficult is it to replace? Seems like I should be able to put the cabrio top in "service mode" and get to it from from under the fire wall cover (have never done this yet, so a little nervous about trying for the first time...), or perhaps through the rear passenger side splash guard??? Also, does anyone know where a "rebuilt" pump can be purchased? New ones are stupid expensive, and a used one could be a gamble. A little advice is needed here.

Thanks :)

[Tool Pants]

It is an electric smog pump. I comes on only when the engine is cold, runs a while, then shuts off as the engine heats up. The pump is not known to go bad. But.

Have someone show you how to remove the engine lid. The pump will be staring you in the face. Locate the electrical connector to the pump and practice removing and putting the connector on.

Start the engine when it is stone cold. Listen to the sound the pump makes - it sounds like a vacum cleaner. Seconds later remove the electrical connector to the pump while the engine is running.

I was hearing a bearing noise and thought is was from one of the pulleys for the serpentine belt. Engine was cold. So I remove the electrical connector to rule out the pump it out as the source of the noise as the pump is noisy.