Hey community! I need a little advice please on the air pump in my XJR. I'm a bit of a layman on this stuff. My air pump is making noise. Is it possible to bypass the air pump completely? As in take it off. If I do this will it interfere with the engine management systems and overall behavior of the car? The car resides in Michigan so I am not worried about emissions. Many thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

What model of an XJR (year?) do you have? I am not aware of an air pump on an X308 (98 - 2003).

 

Hi Jim, it's a 1999 XJR.

 

What market? (Where do you live?)

I don't see an air pump on the AJ engine.

 

I think the car originally came from Arizona. I bought the car 2 years ago in Michigan though.

 

I don't think you have an air pump. They were last used on the x300 series 6 cylinder '95-'97. Where exactly is this accessory that's making noise?

 

He may be referring to the supercharger. Just a guess though until he returns. In that case I believe it is possible to remove the belt temporarily, run the engine and determine if that is indeed the source of the noise your hearing.

 

The x350/351 have 2 air pumps that i know of: air injection and suspension. definitely no air pump on a aj26 xjr

 

Sorry about my delay in getting back. Weird about the air pump. I will ask my mechanic about that.

I am getting a loud winning noise coming form front of the engine bay. It is louder inside the car though. I took it to a Jag shop and they replaced the supercharger pulley and belts. The noise continued after that so took it back and he said it was the actually the alternator. Went to a different mechanic and he took out the alternator and said that it was fine. But he did replace the tensioner pulley which was worn. The noise still persisted and he said that it must be the air pump. He said that if it failed, it MAY not be a big deal.

 

You need a better mechanic. Look at the drawings in the PDF I sent you. THERE ISN'T AN AIR PUMP ON THIS ENGINE.

Go to Auto Zone or Pep Boys, buy a mechanic's stethoscope; being careful of where you put the sender, listen for yourself, by touching the various parts (use the PDF!).

Just a guess: the water pump is bad (this presumes you have taken off the belt to the blower to rule out supercharger related noises).

Also, please update your data to show where you live and your signature to show your car. Makes it easier for people trying to help you.

 

Well, here is a clue. When I turn the ignition one click before the engine fires up, that's when this whining noise comes on. When I turn the key all the way for the engine to start, the whining increases little. But press the accelerator and the whining does not increase. ... Another car builder friend of mine said to pull a fuse, then turn the key. Repeat until noise doesn't come on when turning the key. Find out what that fuse is for. Problem traced. I think I will try this but its a pain if I'm by myself.

 

Lucky guess; The interior-heater pump.

Located on the left (driver) side of the engine, rather deep and partially hidden, but follow some of the hoses.
Should be rather easy to determine if that's the culprit.

E.

 

Has anyone mentioned the intercooler pump?

 

Listen carefully: are you sure it is from the front? Fuel pumps come on at that ignition position.

Open the hood, get another driver to turn the ignition on and listen. Do it again at the trunk.