Noisy Secondary Air Pump (How to repair)

[ClubAddict]

Hi all,

This is for anyone with a secondary air pump that is noisy during cold start up. The top of these pumps is held together by rivets which wear/break over time and allow play which makes the pump increasingly noisy.

The options for this are:

1. Buy a new pump for around £100 which still has rivets and will eventually wear.
2. Buy a used pump for around £30 which still has rivets and will eventually wear (probably a lot sooner).
3. Repair your existing pump for less than £10 and eliminate the rivet problem for good.

Anyway, I found the guide below on a site for Mk4 Golfs which worked perfectly for me and I consider myself an amateur with car repairs.

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/141240.aspx?PageIndex=1

Below are a couple of differences I found.

1. Step 4 indicates the bracket allen bolts are horizontal from each other but on my car they were vertical, the first just above the pump and the other a few inches higher up in the engine. I found the upper bolt to be awkward although more easily accessed from above. I couldn't undo mine for some reason but worked round it.
2. Whilst it would be better to remove the pump I did manage to drill and replace the rivets with the pump in situ. I still had to disconnect the bolts, plug and pipes which allowed me to rotate the pump and get at all the rivets.
3. Under "Parts required" the writer does say that 45mm bolts may have been ok. I did use 45mm bolts and they worked just fine.

That's it. I hope someone finds it useful.

Andy.

 

[azzy964]

Cheers Andy, thats great. I've gotta do this to mine as it's been bugging me for a month or so. I found this pretty good thread on here too: http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=326292
which is exactly the same, all pretty straight forward.

Any ideas what will happen if I don't do this asap?

Cheers
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[ClubAddict]

Hi Ad,

I didn't actually check if there was another thread on this so apologies if there's any crossover or confusion between the two.

I'm not sure what will happen if you don't do it. I've read elsewhere that the noise will get progressively worse but as to actual damage it can cause I don't know I'm afraid. What I can tell you is whilst checking my pump before repairing I noticed that a couple of the rivets had stretched but a couple of them had broken completely. I can only assume that if too many of them break then you may lose the top of the pump, it could damage other parts when it comes off or more importantly, without the closed unit it could presumably suck anything into your intake??

Personally I wouldn't risk it and mine is running loads better since I did it.

The guide does show the car raised on two axle stands but I managed it with just one at the side of the pump.

Andy.

 

[azzy964]

Finally fixed it last weekend, it was really easy, the hardest part was getting the pump in and out, quite fiddly! I havn't noticed it running better but the loud noise has gone on start-up and the pump doesnt run for as long either.

Yeh, I only raised one side too.

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[ClubAddict]

Cool, glad you sorted it. Mine seemed to run a bit better at start up but possibly mine was a little further along than yours then. Very fiddly yes but that's a £10 job that would cost £100+ at a garage.

 

[chrismcl85]

What kind of noise does this give? I got a noise only on cold start up which goes away when hot. I thought it was possibly the tensioner up the top. Might get mine checked out just in case.

 

[ClubAddict]

There is a very simple check to see if it's the secondary air pump. Just apply pressure to the domed top of the pump with your hand. If the noise is coming from there it will reduce whilst you have the pressure applied. Just be careful of hot surfaces and rotating fans when doing this though. With regards tensioners I only have basic knowledge so wouldn't like to advise on those. Hope that helps anyway.

 

[Scranny]

Sorry to 'jump' on this thread but I am hoping that 'ClubAddict' might pick up on my message and be able to offer me some advice. I note from an old post that you had issues with the oil pump on your Seat Leon. I, too, have the same problem and, as I am also in Leicester, thought I would drop you a line!

My regular mechanics are good honest guys but not Seat specialists. They have quoted me around £450 to replace the oil pump due to the labour charges involved - although I seem to remember reading one of the posts suggesting it was not actually that time intensive a job. My car is X reg with 125k on the clock so I'm really not sure it is worth spending that kind of money.

Any help greatly appreciated - not just from 'ClubAddict' !!

 

[ClubAddict]

Hi Scranny,

I just got notified of your message so jumped on to reply. Have you had a definite diagnosis that the problem is your oil pump? On my car although some people told me it was the oil pump from the symptoms my normal mechanic straight away knew that it was actually the oil pick up pipe and not the oil pump. It was about a £20 part but needed bottom of engine taking off to fix. Was about £300-£350 if I remember correctly. Someone reputable that a friend recommended me quoted me £600+ and said it was the oil pump but of course they were wrong. The pick up pipe is apparently a common problem with these cars.

I'd be happy to put you in touch with my guy but he is based in Loughborough so you'd have to travel there if you wanted to use him. He would be able to assess and quote for it and then you can decide whether to have it fixed or not.

As to whether it is worth it, only you can decide. I had my Cupra until about 150k. I never wanted to get rid but things kept going wrong every 4-6 weeks due to age/wear and tear etc so I had to make that decision. I now have a Toledo 1.8T but knowing what things can go wrong I plan to do some preventative upgrades before things actually start to go wrong.

Anyway, I hope that helps even a little. I'm happy to chat more about it or provide my guys number if you want it. Just let me know?

Andy.

 

[Scranny]

Hi Andy - thanks so much for the super quick reply! It certainly wouldn't do any harm to get a second opinion so perhaps you could pass on the details please?

I have been advised that as long as I drive very steadily - bit like an old lady - the car is ok to use. It is when the revs get above around 3k that problems will start. Tbh, if it wasn't for the flashing oil light I don't think it is obvious that there is a problem as the car is driving fine and there are no unpleasant sounding noises.

At the mo the repair costs are going to be around 50% of the worth of the car so really have my doubts if it is worthwhile replacing. May just end up driving it until it literally dies on me and then sell for scrap! Sad day as I have been very pleased with this car.

Cheers

Dave

 

[ClubAddict]

Hi Dave,

Mechanics firm is Performance Cars, telephone number is 01509 231800. Ask for Sean as he's the business owner and just tell him Andy Vernal recommended him. Don't worry, I'm not on commission. ;-)

As for driving around in it, I'm no expert, but when mine went there was a lot of rattling so I pulled over immediately and got it towed home. Turned out that by doing that I had saved the engine. But if you tell Sean all the symptoms he may be able to give you an idea or just ask you to take it in. but you can trust him. He's the sort of guy that built his built his business on reputation alone. Doesn't overcharge and if he has your car he'll always warn you if he spots anything that needs further work or looking at etc.

They are great cars and I've been really lucky to get the tolly I have now. They'll keep going if you look after them.

Andy.

 

[Scranny]

Hi Andy,

Many thanks for those details..... I will tell Sean you expect 10% !! Really appreciate your help with this - thank goodness for the internet!

Cheers

Dave