Ford Repair: thermal reactor pump, thermal reactor, ford taurus

Question
I have a 2000 ford taurus and the engine light came on about 2 weeks ago. I took it to my dealer and he said the thermal reactor pump was gone and the cost to fix $768. whats a thermal reactor pump do?

Answer
Sheila-

  Was this mechanic by any chance a bit old?  I don't know of anyone other than the old-timers who would call a smog pump a "thermal reactor" pump anymore.  And that's all it really is...a smog pump.  Ford's fancy name for it when it came out in the 60's was Thermactor...but I haven't heard that outside of textbooks in years.  As for the price, I'd say it's on the high side of fair.  You could prbably find a shop that would do it for less, but then again they might want more.  If you trust the shop I'd say it's an ok price.  It's better than gambling on a cheaper shop who you don't know.  Hope this helps.

Steve