Loud air pump?

[slickster]

The air pump is loud what can this be. Where is the pump and how can I take it off for inspection

[Blk Mamba]

It is located under the air box of the intake system. It's not bad to remove, mine was noisy for a year and a half, not a bad job to do, just inconvenient.

[Lignum]

Mine is loud also. Apparently, it is under the airbox and the wiper fluid reservoir. I guess wiper fluid likes to slosh out and ruin the pump. I haven't gotten around to taking a look at mine yet.

[Blk Mamba]

This might be useful in the future.

OK, heres what you do to get the car back up to ride height (if its the compressor that died, not the bags that blew.)

This works a little easier w/ 2 people, and an air compressor with a rubber tipped air nozzle (worked well for me, the tube type may as well if thats all you have) a small 5 gallon (@ 80ish psi) tank should have enough air in it. It doesnt take much air to get the bags back up

Pop the trunk, you will need access to the air ride switch. Remove the air box (if you have it, or other intake assembly) to reveal the suspension compressor beneath. locate the air line coming out of the small tank attatched tot he pump. remove the air line. Push the colored ring in and pull the tube out to remove it.
with the air ride switch in the on position,and the air compressor all ready to go, have a buddy hop in the car and turn the key to 'On' but dont start it. in a couple seconds you will hear the compressor kick on/grind/howl (whatever noise it makes if any) and/or you will hear the solenoids 'click' from the rear bags. once you hear either of those, start pumping air from the compressor into the air line you removed. that will start to inflate the rear bags. keep filling until the suspension pump stops, or the rear solenoids click shut, or until you get whatever rear height you want.
once you get to the desired height, go to the trunk and flip the air ride switch off so that the computer doesnt make the solenoids open again and you lose all your air. FYI having the air bag switch off will also make the 'air ride' light come on in the dash.

thats how you can manually add air to the bags and still drive around with a broken compressor. I did that for a week when mine went out..



also, my pump died because of the windshield washer reservior. You cant fill it more than 3/4 full otherwise it will slosh out of the little vent hole in the top of the cap and leak down onto the suspension pump and corrode it until it dies.

[slickster]

So if its loud does that mean it will go out?. It still pumps

[Blk Mamba]

The post above tells what to do when it goes, I wouldn't buy a pump till it did go, unless yours is really corroded bad.

[slickster]

I concur...

[fastblackmerc]

Remove the pump and drill extra drain holes in the well it sits in.

[SC Cheesehead]

The air pump will normally make some noise when it is energized, you may want to have another member familiar with the cars to listen to it first, as it could just be routine funtioning of the compressor.

[slickster]

I hade a mm in 05 and a 2000 town car. This is way louder

[fastblackmerc]

Try disconnecting the "muffler".

[RF Overlord]

So if its loud does that mean it will go out?. Yes.

The pump in Phoebe became quite noticeable for while, got loud for a few months, then quit. The replacement from Arnott is barely audible inside the car, and only if you're listening for it.
I wouldn't buy a pump till it did go, unless yours is really corroded bad.The problem with that strategy is that you can't predict when it will quit, and if it does so when you're on the road and the bags deflate, you're kinda SOL.

If the pump is really that loud, it WILL fail and at the most inopportune moment. If you plan on keeping the car for more than 6 months, I'd replace it now while it's convenient, rather than wait for it to fail and have to scramble to make the repair.

[Lignum]

Yes.

The pump in Phoebe became quite noticeable for while, got loud for a few months, then quit. The replacement from Arnott is barely audible inside the car, and only if you're listening for it.The problem with that strategy is that you can't predict when it will quit, and if it does so when you're on the road and the bags deflate, you're kinda SOL.

If the pump is really that loud, it WILL fail and at the most inopportune moment. If you plan on keeping the car for more than 6 months, I'd replace it now while it's convenient, rather than wait for it to fail and have to scramble to make the repair.

Do you happen to have a link to the replacement?

[RF Overlord]

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_FORD_Air_Suspension_Parts _yid1_pid9_gid45.html

[GetMeMyStogie]

Mine was very loud due to the mounting bushings wearing out. I shut fine up for free by removing it and wedging some styrofoam underneath it before putting it back. It still runs fine.
The styrofoam trick makes it quieter, but you can feel the vibrations more readily. I'd recommend recommend taking it out and having a look to confirm that's the problem. If you see an shiny spots on the pump, that's where it's making contact with the fenderwell, and the source of excessive noise.

[Lignum]

Mine was very loud due to the mounting bushings wearing out. I shut fine up for free by removing it and wedging some styrofoam underneath it before putting it back. It still runs fine.
The styrofoam trick makes it quieter, but you can feel the vibrations more readily. I'd recommend recommend taking it out and having a look to confirm that's the problem. If you see an shiny spots on the pump, that's where it's making contact with the fenderwell, and the source of excessive noise.

Good point, I'll check that out before I buy a new one.