Secondary Air Injection Pump

Secondary Air Injection Pump

The secondary air injection pump (also referred to as a smog pump or SAI pump) is responsible for lowering the number of carbon emissions that come out of the tailpipe of a vehicle. This is necessary since a vehicle engine is never 100% efficient in the combustion process.

Can I drive without secondary air injection?

The air injection smog pump pushes air into the exhaust system right after the exhaust manifold, to help intercept and burn those unburned fuels. The system is critical to help cars achieve government emissions standards. So, the law says you need a secondary air injection system.

What happens when secondary air pump fails?

If your secondary air injection pump has failed, you may notice that the catalytic converter is not working as well as it should. This problem can lead to a loss in power and performance from your engine. The catalytic converter is the engine’s first line of defense against harmful emissions.

Does the secondary air pump run all the time?

During a cold start, the secondary air pump may only be in operation for a maximum of 90 – 120 seconds. The secondary air pump is not designed for continuous use!

What happens if you remove smog pump?

The tube into the head would rust through and sound like a bad exhaust leak. As for removing the pump, you won’t pass the visual portion of the inspection if you do remove it. I ripped off my smog stuff a long time ago just because I got bored and don’t have emissions.

Can a secondary air pump cause a misfire?

Can a Secondary Air Pump Cause a Misfire? Yes, a misfire is a common sign of a faulty secondary air system. If the pump isn’t working properly, there will be too much fuel and not enough oxygen in your vehicle, which often results in a misfire.

How do I know if my smog pump is bad?

One of the first symptoms of a bad or failing smog pump is a rough running engine. When a smog pump fails the finely tuned air-fuel ratios can be upset, and it will negatively affect the performance of the engine. The engine may have trouble idling, and may drop in engine speed, or stall when the pedal is pressed.

How do you test a secondary air pump?

The secondary air valve can be quickly inspected in an easy way:
Loosen the connecting hose on the secondary air non-return valve leading to the secondary air pump. If there are deposits on this side of the valve (finger test, see Fig. Inspect the secondary air pump and replace it if necessary.

What does an air pump check valve do?

The air pump check valve is the valve that allows air supplied from the air pump to be pumped into the exhaust stream to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide tailpipe emissions.

How much does a secondary air pump cost?

The average cost for air pump replacement is between $465 and $554. Labor costs are estimated between $77 and $97 while parts are priced between $388 and $457. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

How do you fix a secondary air injection system malfunction?

What repairs can fix the P0410 code?
Replacing the air injection pump and power relay.Replacing O2 sensors that respond too slow as they age.Replacing the air injection pump intake filter clogged with debris.

What causes a secondary air injection system malfunction?

A faulty pump is generally the most frequent cause of the system failing. Ingress of moisture can cause damage which results in seizure of the pump. Faulty ground and voltage supply can also cause the pump to fail.

Where is the secondary air injection system located?

The secondary air injection pump is usually located on the engine or at least in the engine bay. It can sometimes be hidden deep into the engine bay, but mostly you will find it installed pretty visible on the engine.

What is a smog delete kit?

Apart from sapping some power, this system is an air injector so that the bike meets EPA standards but robs the engine of its true grunt. Remove those parts and shave over a pound off your bike using this Smog Delete Kit. There’ll be no more popping on deceleration and a much better throttle response.

Maya Lin-Takahashi
Author

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.