Air Pump Replacement
What is an air pump?
The air pump provides fresh air to various locations in the exhaust system, which helps complete the combustion of harmful exhaust gases.
How does the air pump work?
The air pump can be an electrically operated or belt driven pump. The pump sends fresh air to various locations of the exhaust system via an assortment of pipes, hoses, and valves.
What are the symptoms related to a bad air pump?
When the air pump is malfunctioning, the vehicle may perform normally. However, it may fail an emissions inspection and the Check Engine Light may illuminate with a code set for the secondary air injection system. An abnormal noise may be noted from a failing air pump.
Can I drive with an air pump problem?
In most cases you should be able to drive a vehicle with an air pump concern. The exception would be a belt driven pump that will no longer turn, this will cause the belt to overheat and break, potentially knocking the other belts off when it breaks. If a belt driven air pump is excessively noise, the vehicle should not be driven. Chances are a noisy pump will stop turning sooner that later, leading to a broken belt.
How often do air pumps need to be replaced?
Under normal conditions and vehicle life, you should not expect to replace an Air Pump. If an air pump has been damaged by water intrusion the cause of the problem must be corrected prior to replacing the pump. A revised intake tube and or baffle may be available. If not, make sure any the vehicle was originally equipped with are properly installed.