Horrible noise coming from driver's side engine compartment

[95SevilleSLS]

So the noise only comes on after a cold start-up (3-4 hours or more sitting). It seems to be coming from the drivers side right by the wheel. It sounds like an electric fan that has a bad bearing, but none of the cooling fans are running when this sounds comes on and it isn't in that area anyway. I actually sounds like it's coming from the tranny side cover, but when I use the stethescope, I can't hear anything. I can't hear anything anywhere. It also after about 30 seconds (about the time the engine revs down) the weird noise also revs down and it only happens that cold start and you can start it after it's warmed up a bit and it won't do it again. It's REALLY embarrasing and I am at a loss. This car has caused me way to many problems and if this isn't an easy fix, I'm done with it. Any help is appreciated.

02 Seville STS 90,000 Miles

[Bruce Nunnally]

water pump belt and/or tensioner?

[Ranger]

It's the AIR pump. Drop the splash shield and look up in the fender in front of the LF wheel (or there abouts). I think the new ones have a splash shield to prevent water ingestion.

[Logan]

Air pump. #2 in the picture. You can see the control arm behind it.

I think there is a updated intake hose to keep water out.

[Ranger]

Guess it's not in front of the wheel well. That's the horn bay. Right next to it.

[Logan]

Guess it's not in front of the wheel well. That's the horn bay. Right next to it.

Your right, it's behind the spash panels. I just posted a pic to better understand where it was.

[95SevilleSLS]

Yep, I think that's it. I could feel the very bottom of it when it was vibrating and when it shut off, that's when the noise quit. How much for one of those puppys?

[lothos]

Not sure which one of these you need. This is from RockAuto.com, and there's 5% off if you check the link in my signature.

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PUMP,SECD AIR INJN(W/BRKT) w/CALIF EMIS LEV(NC1) or FEDERAL EMIS NLEV(NF7)

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[93STSpieceofcrapmoneypit]

This car has caused me way to many problems and if this isn't an easy fix, I'm done with it.

I feel your pain brutha, I feel your pain!

[BodybyFisher]

This car has caused me way to many problems and if this isn't an easy fix, I'm done with it. Any help is appreciated.

Some thoughts come to mind here

First, is this the car you bought from another state that you have had problems with since you bought it? or am I mistaken. Tell me the history of how you came to own this car. I think I recall you having a head gasket problem, is that right or no? Clear this up for me.

[95SevilleSLS]

This car has caused me way to many problems and if this isn't an easy fix, I'm done with it. Any help is appreciated.

Some thoughts come to mind here

First, is this the car you bought from another state that you have had problems with since you bought it? or am I mistaken. Tell me the history of how you came to own this car. I think I recall you having a head gasket problem, is that right or no? Clear this up for me.

Close, but no cigar. That was the DTS I had for about a month. I got rid of that as soon as I could. That one had even more problems. This is one I bought from a local dealer and it was a one owner car. The previous owner took care of it, but I'm guessing didn't drive it well. The dealer had replaced one shock already and there is the drivers side that needs to be replaced ($500), I need to fix the P0741 someday, the steering shaft is clunking again, it needs a stabilitrak sensor, waterpump needs to be fixed (if that's what it is, it's leaking coolant every once and awhile), and now the AIR pump. My wife doesn't even want to drive it anymore because the AIR pump has gotten so loud. Everyone stares at her at work when she starts the car. It's a bit expensive to keep going. But I'm sure once all of it gets fixed it will be a decent car because you can tell it has been somewhat taken care of.

[BodybyFisher]

Because of statements like this "This car has caused me way to many problems and if this isn't an easy fix, I'm done with it", you sound frustrated. I would consider selling it, if you are not up to problems. It is not going to get better, the car is 6 years old and has 90K on it, all things that rotate will fail soon. You are going to need to realize that. Unless you are into PM, and DIY, I'd advise you to dump it.. Get a car that your wife is not embarrised starting and one she wants to drive. My wife has an 02 Monte Carlo with 45K on it and it has only needed intake manifold gaskets and general maintenance (brakes etc), but it is a MUCH less sophistocated vehicle with passive struts but I HATE riding in it, its not a Cadillac, its 3.1 engine has no torque and I have no feel of the road. Yesterday my son let me drive his new 05 Nissan Maxima, nice car, supposedly it's V6 has 270 HP, but you could fool me, don't get me wrong its a nice car, but is not a Cadillac. You either LOVE these cars and put up with the annoying problems or you don't. But don't for a second think that other cars don't have problems.

Look at what you just itemized, you will need struts, the P0741 can be frustrating if its not the solenoid and you need a torque converter, the AIR pump, intermediate steering shaft, water pump leak if you are lucky and its not the crossover. I could tell you what you want to hear but you are frustrated, consider getting a car with a warranty or one that is less sophistocated.

Consider this, mine is a 96 (12 years old) with 115K on it, and I have replaced EVERYTHING since about 70K.. you are driving an 02 (6 years old) with 90K... Right now, I have a list of problems that would knock you over (brakes, engine mount, leaking water pump body seal, window switch is intermittant, cracked windshield, key fob problem, both rear knuckles, brake shudder from the rear, oil leaking from case half, no oil pressure at idle with 10W30, headlight delay goes on forever, stabilizer link noise, drivers seat spring sagging).... Amazingly I don't moan do I?

[95SevilleSLS]

Because of statements like this "This car has caused me way to many problems and if this isn't an easy fix, I'm done with it", you sound frustrated. I would consider selling it, if you are not up to problems. It is not going to get better, the car is 6 years old and has 90K on it, all things that rotate will fail soon. You are going to need to realize that. Unless you are into PM, and DIY, I'd advise you to dump it.. Get a car that your wife is not embarrised starting and one she wants to drive. My wife has an 02 Monte Carlo with 45K on it and it has only needed intake manifold gaskets and general maintenance (brakes etc), but it is a MUCH less sophistocated vehicle with passive struts but I HATE riding in it, its not a Cadillac, its 3.1 engine has no torque and I have no feel of the road. Yesterday my son let me drive his new 05 Nissan Maxima, nice car, supposedly it's V6 has 270 HP, but you could fool me, don't get me wrong its a nice car, but is not a Cadillac. You either LOVE these cars and put up with the annoying problems or you don't. But don't for a second think that other cars don't have problems.

Look at what you just itemized, you will need struts, the P0741 can be frustrating if its not the solenoid and you need a torque converter, the AIR pump, intermediate steering shaft, water pump leak if you are lucky and its not the crossover. I could tell you what you want to hear but you are frustrated, consider getting a car with a warranty or one that is less sophistocated.

Consider this, mine is a 96 (12 years old) with 115K on it, and I have replaced EVERYTHING since about 70K.. you are driving an 02 (6 years old) with 90K... Right now, I have a list of problems that would knock you over (brakes, engine mount, leaking water pump body seal, window switch is intermittant, cracked windshield, key fob problem, both rear knuckles, brake shudder from the rear, oil leaking from case half, no oil pressure at idle with 10W30, headlight delay goes on forever, stabilizer link noise, drivers seat spring sagging).... Amazingly I don't moan do I?

It's just weird because I owned a 95 seville SLS and a 97 Seville STS, 136,000 miles and 157,000 respectivley, and the 95 had a few simple problems, but neither one of them caused me any headaches. I'm wondering if they didn't have problems with that magnetic ride control when it first came out. I don't understand why shocks would need to be replaced at 90,000 miles. My 93 Sixty Special still has original shocks. My 81 Caprice still has original shocks and both of them aren't causing problems. It just feels like they were trying to make them too sophisticated in those years and ended up paying for it.

I don't think 90,000 is very many miles. In the place where I live, most people can go 150,000 miles without any problems. Are you from a bigger city? I know this Caddy came from a bigger city and I believe that is part of the problem. Cars are not driven very nicely because people are trying to keep up with traffic and all sorts of stuff like that.

I'm sure I won't sell it, I'm sure I'll suck it up and fix it like I usually do. My wife loves that car, I just mentioned that she is embarrased to drive it now because of the AIR pump.

Which leads me to another question, how long of a job is it? Is it pretty simple? Just take off that shroud and then it's right there? Or do I have to go from the top and take off a whole bunch of crap. Like my dad used to say, "They shove 10 lbs of sh$! in a 5 lb bag in these newer cars."

[BodybyFisher]

I needed new struts at 56K miles, they were shot and I was hitting the ground, but yes, my car has been in the New York City area since it was new.

Someone will post the AIR pump R&R, I think Logan has had to replace one..

Good luck with this repair, it should not be too expensive to fix

[BodybyFisher]

I don't want to freak you out, but its just possible that your car has MORE than 90K on it, the odometers are SO easy to turn back. I can say this, my 91 and my 96 started needing maintenace around 70K. Every car is different, I didnt have problems with springs or struts with my 91, but my 96's belly was on the ground at 56K. Setting aside the possibilty that your odometer has been tampered with, your car could just be needing some maintenance, and you have run into some bad luck.

With regard to your P0741, Shankton from another thread is in the process of analyzing that code on his car right now, you should check into that thread once in a while..

I need to start a blog detailing the work/replacements I have done to my car

[jasper60103]

FWIW, my 04 Deville had the AIR pump replaced. It took on water according to the dealer.

It was a warranty fix, so I don't know what the cost would be.

[BodybyFisher]

FWIW, my 04 Deville had the AIR pump replaced. It took on water according to the dealer.

It was a warranty fix, so I don't know what the cost would be.

Its funny you say this, I was going to suggest that maybe his AIR PUMP took on water. I wrecked a suspension compressor in my 91 going through deep water once..

[95SevilleSLS]

FWIW, my 04 Deville had the AIR pump replaced. It took on water according to the dealer.

It was a warranty fix, so I don't know what the cost would be.

Its funny you say this, I was going to suggest that maybe his AIR PUMP took on water. I wrecked a suspension compressor in my 91 going through deep water once..

I was thinking the same thing because it seemed to start after my waterpump (or crossover) started leaking and I thought maybe by chance it leaked into the AIR pump.

The AIR pump isn't too awful bad on price. It's $126 for the pump kit, not just the pump, off of rockauto.com. That's not bad. I'm sure I can do it myself too.

I don't think the odometer was rolled back because according to the history report, it was imported into the US at 78,000 miles and I bought it at 81,500 miles because the dealer drove it for a month. That's not saying that the person who had it in Canada couldn't have had it rolled back, but it didn't happen when the dealer got it.

[jking220]

I need an AIR pump now too I think. Never had a problem till I did my front motor mount a couple weeks ago.

While I was under the car trying to get the motor mount out of the car, my dad saw the intake hose for the AIR pump inside the fender/bumper. The screen on the end of the hose had worn through in some spots, and he decided to pull it out of the fender to show me. I think when he did this, dirt and debris fell down into the AIR pump intake. The pump now makes the horrible sound you are describing on startup.

I just wanted to point this out as this may be another reason for failure, and you may want to check if your inlet screen is still intact, unless the "kit" comes with a new intake hose and screen.

I also seem to rememeber someone on here saying someone left the entire bottom cover/intake hose off the AIR pump on their car, which I would imagine would cause problems.

[BodybyFisher]

Yes, that was Dana

[Logan]

The air pumps seem to be a high maintence item. I'm on my 3rd one.

New motors can be found on eBay for less then a $100 bucks.

There is a updated hose per a GM TSB for water intrusion. I got mine after the 2nd motor failure. About $60.

I think there is a PCM software glitch too. If I leave work in a certain way. I get the GM TSB 'headlight dimming' air pump issue for a second. Then again 2-3 times, then I get po410 or po420. What ever the air pump code is..

Air pump code set. Clear code.

If I change the driving procedure in the slightest way. No code for months.