If you’re wondering what a secondary air injection pump is, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll go over the purpose of the secondary are pump as well as the symptoms you should watch for that indicate the pump is failing.
A secondary air injection pump is vital for controlling emissions and maintaining optimal engine performance. If this pump malfunctions, it can cause several issues that impact both the driving experience and the environment.
Keep reading to learn the signs of a bad secondary air injection pump, what causes it to fail, and how much its replacement cost will be.
What Does a Secondary Air Pump Do?
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.
The pump lies after the exhaust manifold and before the catalytic converter of the vehicle and it can reduce carbon emissions by pumping fresh air from outside into the exhaust stream. By the time fumes leave the tailpipe, there are fewer hydrocarbon pollutants in them. This promotes a safer environment by cutting down on air pollution outside.
If there is ever a problem with your secondary air injection pump, then more hydrocarbon pollutants will be in the fumes which come out of your tailpipe. You won’t realize this until you receive an emissions test.
Either that or you’ll experience a lot of unfortunate symptoms that will affect your engine. Both scenarios are not something you’ll want to happen. They can make your life rather difficult if you do.
Top 5 Bad Secondary Air Injection Pump Symptoms
Secondary air injection pump failure is easy to recognize if you know which symptoms to watch out for. Below you’ll find the five most common symptoms of secondary air injection pump failure.
If you notice at least two of the symptoms occurring, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a faulty secondary air injection pump and you need to get it serviced right away.
1) Check Engine Light
One of the early symptoms of a bad secondary air injection pump is the Check Engine warning light turning on. The engine control unit can automatically detect when the secondary air injection pump has a problem.
Since the functionality of the air pump impacts the engine, any problem with it will activate the Check Engine warning light on the dashboard.
To confirm the actual cause of the check engine light, you will need to use a car code reader to retrieve any error codes that were stored. Code P0410 and P0411 are common trouble codes related to the secondary air injection pump.
2) Failed Emissions Test
The purpose of the secondary air injection pump is to reduce hydrocarbons in your emissions system. So, if you have a bad secondary air injection pump, then it means your emissions system will be allowing too many hydrocarbons to be released into the atmosphere.
Not only does this spell trouble for the environment, but it also spells trouble for whenever you get an emissions test. If you happen to live in a state which requires emissions testing, you will fail the test if your secondary air injection pump is bad.
3) Weak Acceleration
A faulty secondary air injection pump will cause problems for the air-to-fuel ratio in your internal combustion engine. If this ratio is too lean (not enough fuel), then your engine will have trouble generating speed whenever you step on the gas pedal.
Poor acceleration could be caused by several mechanical issues, but a bad secondary air injection pump is certainly one possibility. A failed emissions test in conjunction with weak acceleration is a decent indicator that it is the pump’s fault.
4) Engine Stalling
You may be driving normally and then suddenly experience engine stalling or hesitation in your vehicle. A secondary air injection pump that is wearing down can cause inconsistent power gaps from the engine.
One minute the power may be fine, and the next the RPM drop too much and the engine shuts off. If the pump is not replaced, the engine may continue to stall at the worst possible times.
5) Low Idle
When your engine is idling, check the tachometer and see what the current RPM is. The normal RPM of an idle engine is somewhere between 600 to 1,000 RPM. But in situations when the secondary air injection pump is not working, you can expect the RPM to drop. This may cause the car to vibrate or even stall as noted above.
If you’ve already experienced engine stalling, poor acceleration, and a check engine warning light, then you need to have the secondary air injection pump checked out immediately. If it is proven to be the problem, have it replaced by a certified mechanic.
Possible Causes of Failure
1) Effects of Age and Heat
As vehicles age, its components are subjected to wear and tear and this includes the secondary air injection pump. The pump’s internal parts may degrade over time, compromising performance or leading to complete failure.
Additionally, excessive heat can accelerate breakdown of the pump. If the cooling system is not properly maintained, high temperatures may damage pump components. To avoid problems related to age and wear, it is important to keep the vehicle well-serviced and monitor the pump’s lifespan.
2) Issues With Control and Vacuum
The secondary air injection pump relies on additional components like the control valve and vacuum system to function properly. The control valve directs airflow from the pump. If it malfunctions or sustains damage, it can cause pump failure. Likewise, issues with the vacuum system that operates the pump can lead to pump failure.
The serpentine belt powers the pump through the engine drive system. Over time, the belt may wear out or become damaged. This can result in loss of drive power to the secondary air injection pump. In some cases, simply replacing a worn serpentine belt can restore proper pump operation.
3) Blockages and Leaks
Blockages can happen in the hoses, air filter, or intake leading to the pump. These obstructions inhibit proper airflow into the pump which in turn can cause failure.
Leaks can also develop in the system, causing loss of vacuum or issues with the control valve. A leak results in the pump being unable to maintain the required pressure.
Replacement Cost
We recommend Parts Geek for the best prices and selection.
Replacing a faulty secondary air injection pump can be an expensive repair in some cases, with costs varying depending on factors like labor rates, parts prices, and vehicle make/model. Here are some details on typical costs:
The air injection pump itself will likely cost $100-$400+ for most vehicles. Domestic (and aftermarket) pumps tend to be on the lower end while European luxury brands (and OEM pumps) are more expensive. Additional parts like hoses, connectors, and mounting hardware can add $50-$100.
Labor will often be 1-3 hours for pump replacement at $100-$150 per hour. The pump is usually located in a tight engine compartment, requiring removal of other components to access it. This increases work time. Total labor costs typically range from $100-$450.
With parts and labor combined, expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $250 to $900 to replace a failed secondary air injection pump. But with some vehicles or having the work performed at a dealership may bring the total costs over $1,000.
- 6 Signs of a Bad Fuel Pump Relay (And Replacement Cost) - January 28, 2025
- 12 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Bleeding Your Brakes - January 22, 2025
- 7 Reasons Your Heated Seats Stopped Working (And Repair Costs) - January 8, 2025
I hear many people are conserned of their wehicle. You don’t have to.
The secondary air injection system is only ment to lover hydrocarbs that leavs the wehicle.
This happends only for aboat 90 seconds when the engine is cold.
The secondary pump runs only for this 90 sec.
After 90 seconds, the exhaust is hot enough for the exhaust system with the cathalytic process to work as it is ment to do, and burn most of the hydrocarbs. After 90 sec. there are no use for the pump anymore. It stops, and a valve shut that system down.
All of this happends AFTER the engine, and don’t affect the engine.
It works the way that it is blowing fresh air that containd oxygen into the stream of exhaust that contain too much unburned hydrocarbs, and this oxygen make them burn, so that the chatalysator will heat up quickly, and then start to clean the exhaust.
This happends all in the exhaust pipe, and should not affect the engine.
But … if it not works properly … you may have problem with the certification of the wehicle … if its engine is cold …
I can of course not stay responsible for this.
Its just ment to explain whats this system does.
p2432 code 2006 pontiac g6 been to the dealer new pump new sol new brain couple hours of reprograming alot of money same code
Besides the code, what symptoms are you experiencing with the car? Check the wiring and the grounds associated with the secondary air injection system.
Can a secondary air injection pump failure cause my cooling fan to activate more often when I shut off my car ?
I have a 2012 Malibu 2.4 4 cyl throwing code p0411, I checked all fuses and nithing is blown, all wiring and harnesses look in good shape that i could see and checked to throttle body and what not, I am assuming my secondary air pump may be the issue, does anyone have an opinion before I go and replace it?
I am trying to replace my Air Injection Pump on my ’99 Pontiac Firebird and they can’t be found. All discontinued. What is someone to do to pass emissions? any help would be appreciated soon! Need to pass NYS Inspection.
Check that part number against other GM models. Perhaps this pump was used in a Chevy or a Cadillac? Have you tried looking on the used market?
Hey my CELite is from a “Secondary Air Injection System: Incorrect Flow Detected”. I wanna go on a road trip not tinker with my car for weeks. Will it hurt my catylitic converter or my engine if I don’t fix this right away? Car runs fine, somewhat smoky engine in certain light conditions, but oil levels seldom dip. Exhaust a bit dark when cold. Occasionally smell a weird gas smell nothing serious. 149,000 miles. I don’t want to be an idiot and mess up my engine but I am stir crazy just want to go on a long drive. Try to fix everything I can myself to avoid getting ripped off but don’t mind paying an honest mechanic to protect my investmment in my beloved VW Jetta. 2.0 litre, standard. Any thoughts?
Your right Dan an it comes down to how much money the manufacturer throws to govt. An emissions credits they buy. There are some congress people exposing this but we all know we pay at the pump.
I change mine and I regain strength but the check turns on about 2 days later and it becomes devil again. What could it be? greetings here a new follower.
I have a 1999 Mercury Mystique w/63,000 miles. There’s a loud vacuum noise when I first start the engine (cold) and after I put the automatic transmission into reverse. It will get much quieter when it’s put into Drive, and after it’s warmed up. The engine has never stalled on me, and the idle is still smooth.
I’ll probably replace the Idle Air Control Valve and Secondary Air Injection AIR Pump Vacuum Solenoid. The control valve looks easy enough, but I’m not sure where the vacuum solenoid is, yet. My “Check Engine” light has been on for at least, 90% of my car’s life. Once in a great while, it would turn off momentarily. Any thoughts on what you might do in my situation? Other people with a Mystique probably had the same problem, and might know what the problem is from experience.
I might test for vacuum leaks with a smoke test and see what codes are stored with that check engine light.
will a bad secondary air injection pump cause what sounds like a vacuum leak noise to come from inside the air filter housing on a 1996 Chevy Impala SS?
the smog pump in my 92 ford e150 is disconnected will this cause it to run at a higher rpm
Would faulty air pump lend to chevy stabilitrac dash light on and service traction control light to come on as well and soon after followed by check engine light.. p0171 (lean)…
Still showing up – even after the following //
replaced cam cover (with pvc) replaced coil pack / sparkplugs / radiator / rebuilt the transmission / new mass air sensor / new air intake tube / new oxygen sensors (x2 yes) / new air filter / new purge valve / new pvc pipe / ummm.. Oh new brakes and new tires..
2011 chevy cruze 1.8L LS and running full tank of top tier fuel – 105356 miles
I think it’s pretty unlikely. The secondary air injection pump is an emissions control device. It sounds like you have two separate issues.
Have you checked your wheel speed sensors?
Hey I install a new secondary air injection pump in my 2002 Cadillac Seville sts and its’ now working
Over I got bank 1 and2 and missfire on my 2002 745ia beamer how much to actually fix this
Depends on the root cause. More diagnostic work will be needed.
Just change your spark plugs and coils you’ll fix the problem.
Maybe, but not necessarily. Misfires can be caused by a lot of things.
Can a secondary air injection pump problem damage the catalytic converter?
Mine is making a vacuum sound, no check engine light. It takes a while to start. It’ll start right up after driving, I guess because the fuel circulated. It’s a vw beetle but cant find anything on it. How much longer can go until I can get it fixed?
Hard to say how long you can go, I’m not sure what the problem is. You could try checking for vacuum leaks. The sooner you can get it addressed, the better.
Does bad air pumps cause poor gas mileage
Yes, they are likely to make the engine run less efficiently and therefore cause worse fuel economy.
Does a 13 tundra crew 4.6 have two secondary air pumps
Yes, there should be two of them. Take a look at this page for more info.
https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota__Tundra/Secondary-Air-Injection-Pump/63023740/176100P010.html
Exactly. In my state they try and force you to buy new cars. Even paying you more than it’s worth to get it off the road. Thanks California.
I find this a complete cheat. So you add air to the exhaust, diluting the exhaust but not REDUCING the amount of absolute HC’s coming out. So in effect you are not reducing emissions but just lowering the ratio out the tailpipe. Seems like a useless effort instead of trying to get the engine to run more efficiently. Lots of old smog/ AIR systems, when removed result in markedly higher MPG/KPL which by itself would lower the overall emissions without all the added complexity resulting in a net reduction of CO and HC’s. That’s government for you. Forget logic and science.
You’re right, it does dilute the exhaust. But it’s main purpose is to help heat up the primary catalytic converter quicker so it can effectively filter out emissions sooner than without the secondary air system.
Hi,
I cannot understand how the secondary air pump can cause problem on engine performance such as weak acceleration and engine stalling since it works only during cold starts on about 60-90 seconds. Indeed, it would be rather good to clarify a bit. Thanks
Hi
Can this pump cause the anti pollution fault in peugeot 307 and the engine stalling. Idle like it gonngonna cut off..?