Air Pump Noise

I just purchased a 2001 Aurora with a 3.5L engine and noticed the air pump has a loud whining noise on start-up for about 20-30 seconds.

Is that normal?
How loud is the air pump suppose to be?
Is it suppose to be lubricated?

Any info would be helpful - Thanks!

Must be a California model, my 98 doesn't have one unless it is hidden, you sure it is a air pump?

Do you mean the Electronic leveling Control compressor, a/c compressor, lumbar support air pump, or the air induction system pump?

The noise is coming from the Air Injection Reactor (AIR) pump in the air intake area of the 3.5L engine.

The air pump is poorly located on the 2nd gen Aurora with almost unshielded exposure to dirt and moisture. Does the pump make the noise everytime you start the car or just once in a while? Are you sure it is the pump? If so, take off the splash shield under the front bumper - the pump is underneath on the driver's side. Undo the pump's hoses and thorougly spray compressed air in there (not from a can, the real thing). My pump's bearings were exposed, I don't see why you could not spray a bit of wd40 on there. Good luck.

Thanks kobalt!

The pump makes noise everytime when it runs. However, it only runs whens the engine is cold.

I'll try what you suggested - thanks.

Excellent, let me know how it worked out.

Air pump had to be replaced. Good news was that it was covered under warranty because it is an emissions component.