What causes secondary air injection pumps to fail?
Air injection pumps can fail for a variety of reasons, causing a number of secondary problems. The most common reasons are:
1) Insufficient power/ground supply
An abnormally high resistance in the power or ground circuit of a secondary air injection pump can often be detrimental. This is because attempting to run it on a weak power or ground supply means the pump in question has to work harder, generating additional heat.
2) Vacuum System Defects
Leaks or clogs in the vacuum system can also negatively affect the proper operation of the secondary air injection pump. Any of these conditions can create problems with this type of pump and cause wear and tear over time.
3) Water Contamination
Over time, water can get into your vehicle’s exhaust system and find its way into many places that are less than ideal. In some cases, this can even be the housing of your vehicle’s secondary air injection pump. This type of water contamination is a major cause of corrosion, substantially shortening the lifespan of your vehicle’s secondary air injection pump.
4) Age
In some cases, your vehicle’s secondary air injection pump may fail for reasons other than the fact that it has reached the end of its useful life.
Like any other mechanical component, secondary air injection components are also subject to normal wear and tear. Therefore, aging pumps of this type may fail from time to time.
Can I drive without a secondary air pump?
Technically, you can drive without a secondary air injection pump. However, this is not recommended, as secondary air injection pump failure can cause a variety of driving problems, the severity of which varies greatly from case to case.
A failed secondary air injection pump can cause the vehicle’s engine to respond erratically to accelerator pedal movements, especially under heavy loads. In addition, misfires can occur when driving a vehicle with a defective or failing secondary air injection pump.
Attempting to drive a vehicle with a defective secondary air injection pump may result in the motorist being unable to register the vehicle in states or counties that require emissions testing. This is because this condition often causes the engine to run too rich on start-up.
Secondary Air Injection Pump Replacement Cost
As with any repair, the exact cost of replacing a secondary air injection pump can vary widely from vehicle model to vehicle model. This is due to many variables, including the labor required for the repair and the cost of a specific replacement air pump.
However, the average cost of replacing a secondary air injection pump often falls within a general range. This range usually ranges from $250 to $450, with a relative average of about $325. The actual price of such a repair will vary depending on the complexity of the work, who is doing the work, and the price of the parts themselves.