OK, so it appears my water pump is leaking coolant. 1994 4.0 AJ6, 137k+ miles. Probably related to my brush with overheating a month ago when the upper radiator hose split while driving. I plan on removing it, inspecting it, replace gaskets as necessary, replace the whole pump if needed. Car runs fine, just leaks coolant when sitting and cool. One friend suggested I just tighten the bolts on the pump, but if I'm in there, I may as well refurbish it as best I can.

To get to it, I need to go through the air pump (air injection). I know that many of the V12's simply delete it, as it didn't come on some models. Emission inspection is not a concern in my county. It will free up a little power, less to go wrong, cleaner engine bay, easier to get to things like the water pump.

So, if I chose to remove it, I want to leave most everything else intact (e.g. the plumbing on the solenoid vacuum valve - the Denso unit in the pic). As I see it, the only thing I need to worry about is the hose that goes to the air switching valve (red arrow in pic). Do I just leave that on? Maybe a filter on it?

Anything else I need to worry about? Pros, cons?

Also, to remove the fan, is it enough just to remove the four bolts on the pump side, or the bolts on the torquatrol side? The manual is not clear, and I've never removed the fan before.

Padre

 

So I went ahead and deleted it. No problems. Left the vacuum lines and solenoids intact. Stuffed a foam filter in the air intake line to the solenoid, plugged up the air vent line that goes to the air filter (post-filter).

Started it up, no codes, no hesitation, all seems fine.

Let it warm up.

The leak is still there, which was expected, but I still can't see it. All is dry on top and sides of the water pump, but I can't see under or behind it.

Sigh, Padre

 

Old thread, but I currently have my intake manifold off for a headgasket change on my XJ40. I have previously removed my Air Pump but didn't plug any holes which caused delayed starting on a cold start. I am considering removing the piping and plugging the holes on the exhaust manifold or putting the Air Pump back. Can someone more knowledgeable tell me the concerns with removing the piping and blue solenoid?


Item 12 connects to the Air Pump and Item 5 and 6 connect to the exhaust manifold

 

Does anyone have pictures of a Euro-spec AJ6 engine? I know those didn't have the pipes running to the exhaust manifolds, would like to compare the piping to see if I can safely removed mine without disrupting anything. No emissions where I live.