Hello,
Would appreciate help on my XJR noise issue.
Once I turn the key and BEFORE starting the engine, I hear a winning noise from the engine. This just started yesterday and now I am afraid to start the engine. It sounds like wining electric motor somewhere in the front part of the engine.
Any ideas?

XJR 1998 300,000 km

 

I think there is an electric pump for the supercharger that starts when the car is turned on, prior to ignition, so maybe it's that. Is the whining there after the car is started too?

 

Thank you for the quick reply.
I haven't started the car, trying to avoid some serious damage since I was not sure of the cause.
The car had low coolant in the previous week, whiched I topped up, no overheating occurred. Can that cause damage to the supercharger pump?

 

I'll have to bow out here, and leave it to someone that is more knowledgeable on the XJR cooling system. I'm sure someone else will come to your aid!

 

The pump for the intercooler circuit runs whenever the ignition is switched to the on position so that is likely that pump that you hear running. I would not think that the pump would have been damaged by the cooling being low but possibly that part of the cooling circuit became empty and the pump is now running dry.

There is a large recessed Hex cap at the front of the intercooler assembly that you can remove to check if the cooling circuit is full. I have used a Hex head bolt turned upside down with a pair of vice grips to open the cap as i did not have a large enough wrench. If needed, add coolant until it is filled and then replace the cap. The pump should hopefully now run without any grinding sounds.

Do you know why you were low on coolant?

 

Thanks, the support and help is great.
I think you are right, it is the inter cooler pump, the noise is coming from the lower right side of the radiator, where the pump is located.
I found a tiny leak from the radiator that is causing the low coolant, car stayed idle for over 6 months and coolant went low. Is there a solution that does not include changing the radiator?

Again, thanks a lot for the help.