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[BruceT]

Hi fellow OOF'ers :p

Ive had my Mig now for just over a week and i'm loving it!

One thing I have noticed is that when I first start the car (when the engine is cold, ie in the morning or leaving working) I get a sound from the front left (when your sat in the drivers seat) which when you first start it sometimes rattles and then its a kinda drone noise only when accelerating.

After 3-4 mins it stops.

Any idea what it is?

[TheBoy]

SIA pump, ignore it, or disconnect it. Do search for secondary air injection

[JasonH]

Very common problem. It's an air pump used to warm up the cats. Not essential and Vauxhall dropped it in later models. Very expensive to replace - like £350 - but you can just unplug it with no detrimental side effects.

[BruceT]

Does it only "Pump" as such when you accelerate?

I can hear it on start up but then quietens and I can only hear a drone when I touch the accelerater?

Im new to Migs and have no idea of this engine, can anyone post a pic of where the plug is?

[Albatross]

No, I personally disagree with the diagnoses you have been given thus far. The pump makes a continuous noise for about 4 or 5 seconds, it starts abruptly and stops again abruptly whent he car has been running for about 20 or 30 seconds whether you're moving or not.

What you're describing is specifically when you're accelerating. I don't know what it is though.

[BruceT]

Hmmm.

It does do it on a cold start-up. (The droning noise)

It then appears to either quieten or get louder when I accelerate but soon stops id say after 3-5 mins, if that sometimes

[perfferle]

Hmmm, could be one of the hyd lifters in the engine?

By the way ALBATROS that bug made me smack my screen, dammit!

[JasonH]

The pitch of the whine from the secondary air injection pump will change with engine revs (try it stationary). It's because it's a massive electrical load and at higher revs the alternator output voltage increases.

[BruceT]

Okay. I will try that tomorrow morning and see if the sounds changes when stationary.

The car seems to be running fine and is getting good MPG.(ie, quote figures) which im pleased with lol.

Where is the plug for the SIA pump then so I can try that to  

[BruceT]

Right,

Left work at 4pm.

Car not been started since 7:30am and drove to work (Few mile)

Outside temp was 18c. Started the car and got the rattle and drone.

Car in neutral reved it the noise got louder. It must of stopped about 1 minute after starting the car.

[JasonH]

The SAI pump runs for perhaps 5 seconds to 2 mins depending on how hot the engine is.

If you look up from under the front corner of the car you will see the two car horns. The secondary air pump is the big monster above that. You might need to remove the horns to get at the connector (couple of bolts).

Alternatively there is a fuse that only powers the SAI pump. On the V6 from memory its the only 30A or 50A orange fuse in the under bonnet fusebox.

I'd whip the fuse out and see if the problem disappears.

[JasonH]

Where are you in Bristol - I'm in Long Ashton. Pop round one evening and I could take a look - PM me.

[perfferle]

Very odd if the noise is coming from the the air pump, seeing that the noise gets louder when the engine is revved. The air pump motor operates at a constant speed unless - the battery is low and when you rev the engine the increased voltage from the alternator makes the air pump motor turn faster-noisyer... It is a long shot :-/.

[BruceT]

Ill have a look through the haynes and see if it lists the SIA pump for my 4 pot and see if it does it.

Im in Bradley Stoke btw

Re battery, I have a receipt from the AA from last for a new battery and its always starts nicely so dont think its the battery

[BruceT]

Haynes doesnt list a fuse for any pump

Just a thought...

My power steering fluid is low as when I check it its not at the bottom ring, ie cold temp.

Could it be the PAS pump since the fluid is low??