Hasn't whined at all since putting the car back together. Checked all connections and all seems well. Manually put 12v to pump and still no whine. Even tried tried the seafoam in line on a cold start idea. Issues started intermittwnt and would eventually start working. But now is 100% dead. Any ideas besides spend $500 for a new pump? And diy fixes or common solutions?

If no go with manual 12V input it's 99% cooked...if you have a Durametric you can also power it up to 'double check'

I have one if you need one. No emission here.

What's involved in running without one and not having CEL or readiness code issues with emissions?

Pull out the pump.
Plug the vacuum line from the pump that goes to the electrical secondary air solenoid with a ball bearing, leave the electrical part plugged in to the harness. Been a while since I did this, but pretty obvious when you are in there which solenoid you are plugging the vacuum line for.

Supposedly you wont get CEL with this, but I had the code turned off in my tune just to be safe. I still pass readiness check

Does pulling the pump cause any problems with day to day running of the motor? Or is it a "transparent" removal?

Transparent, only runs on startup I believe.

Good to know. Sure makes accessing that side of the motor easier if it were simply "gone."

Thanks for all your advise, guys!

Thank for the pump Flewis763!

On another note for those interested, the C5 A6 SAI is identical with a different Bosch PN. My guess is they are the same and it is different bosch PN for Porsche part number to be on it. Or a slight bolt pattern difference. But what this means is you can buy the $200 Bosch audi pump and if the bolt patter is different you can swap the guts over to the old SAI housing. A little craftiness could save $400.

Here is a link to the audi pump torn apart for reference.
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-...build-1727056/