Hello,

I know that when my '01 vRS starts up from cold the seconday air pump starts and then stops when the car has warmed up. However, for a week or so the pump has been very noisy - sounds like exhaust is blowing, except the engine sounds normal after the pump has gone off.

Is it possible a hose is loose? I've tried checking hoses but, to be honest, I don't know which hoses are relevant as I don't know where the air pump is! Can anyone describe exaclty where it is?

Also, does anyone know the cost of replacing the air pump if it is knackered?

cheers.

Can't help you with location but mine was replaced under warranty (thank god!) - pointed out by the dealer while in for other work .

I was told the cost was about £400 :eek:, although if it's just noisy I'd probably live with it for that money.

found this link on here not long ago, good step by step instructions for fixing sec/air pump. hope its of use

Step-by-step guide for repairing the Secondary Air Pump (with pictures) - uk-mkivs

Thanks. That guide does sound like the noise I'm getting. However, I don;t have the following...

Tools used:

Trolley Jack

Axle Stands x 2

T20 Torx screwdriver

or MECHANICAL ABILITY

Mine sounds awful too :( Are they actually needed? My car runs like crap when the air pump is going then as soon as that stops its smooth as silk :confused:

mine might be suffering from this, only when its started from dead cold. It doesnt sound mechanically wrong just burbles like a scooby for 30 seconds or so before it gets a bit warm.

Mine sounds awful too :( Are they actually needed? My car runs like crap when the air pump is going then as soon as that stops its smooth as silk :confused:

What does the secondary air pump actually do ????????

according to the guide its used to get the cat upto temp and feeds air to the crank case breather. id describe the noise very differently to what the golf lot say it sounds like, most of my noise seems to just be the Carbonio sucking extra hard (ooh err!) while it warms up over the first 30 seconds or so.

Well the noise seems to have stopped now.

However, this seems to be because the air pump is now not starting at all!

So it looks like it might be deceased, as it was a cold start this morning.

Backing up a further question - is it actually necessary or does it just reduce emissions?

Well the noise seems to have stopped now.

However, this seems to be because the air pump is now not starting at all!

So it looks like it might be deceased, as it was a cold start this morning.

Backing up a further question - is it actually necessary or does it just reduce emissions?

as above, its to help the cat get up to temp quicker. helping it last longer. so its not really needed. i cant speak for skodas but the later versions of my engine in my vectra hadnt got secondary air pumps anyway! so it cant be all that necsary

What does the secondary air pump actually do ????????

It helps reduce cold start emissions by pumping filtered air into the exhaust manifold. The air mixes with the exhaust gases and helps burn pollutants and generate extra heat to bring the cat up to operating temp more quickly.

Hope this helps.

bill.

Was just wondering, as others are, what happens if you run without it???

Was just wondering, as others are, what happens if you run without it???

I dont know.... I suppose it might put on a CEL light ?

If your feeling brave, you could try pulling out the relay and see what happens.

Go on...I dare you

bill

I dont know.... I suppose it might put on a CEL light ?

If your feeling brave, you could try pulling out the relay and see what happens.

Go on...I dare you

bill

In the forces I learned never to volunteer for anything................

The pump warms the cat up quicker on cold start. Without the pump the emmisions would be worse, but would the engine be pumping slightly unburnt fuel through and is there a possibility this could damage the cat?

I personally wouldn't have thought so but who knows.

I didnt think that the car would drive unless you left it to idle for a few moments before?

Im sure that i read the above to vag20v as someone with a golf had the secondary air pump go

I didnt think that the car would drive unless you left it to idle for a few moments before?

Im sure that i read the above to vag20v as someone with a golf had the secondary air pump go

I drive away straight after startup. No problems.

I drive away straight after startup. No problems.

Me too and mines got 100k on the clock.

So does this fix just reseal the pump? as thats the way it looks.

I had the same problem from cold start with mine.I put it in to the local skoda dealership who done a diagnostic check which came up secondary air pump was faulty.They said it was £271 for a new one and £100 to fit.All it does is warm up the cat quicker so that we dont pollute the atmosphere as much.When i asked if the acr would drive ok they said it would be fine and wouldn't affect performance or emissions for mot.Eventually when it does pack up completely they said the engine management light might come on which they can cure as and when for £30.Its alot of money for naff all really unless your an eco warrior of course.Hope this helps.