Secondary air injection
I have a secondary air injection pump that has gone bad. I just replaced the timing belt and a few other things on the Audi Quattro TT '03 model. MY engine light is on because it states I need to replace the secondary air injection pump. Is it safe to drive a couple thousand miles before I replace this part. At the time I am running short on funds due to other medical issues going on with my wife. Will driving the car without replacing this pump immediately damage the car or further damage the car in any way?
Thanks,
David A>
My car has 142000 miles.
My car has a manual tran
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If you referring to Code P0411 or related codes involving just the secondary air injection system, and no other vehicle components, there is no harm in putting off the repair, excepting of course engine emissions (pollution) will be slighter higher than if the air injection system was functioning properly. No harm will come to the engine or other systems. The problem can be diagnosed and repaired using YourMechanic’s mobile service which is more economical than shop repairs. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed, and repaired as needed, by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an air pump diagnostic/replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Possible Fixes. When the P0411 code is set, it means that the PCM doesn`t detect an appropriate drop in the voltage from the O2 sensor, which would indicate air being injected into the exhaust stream. The problem isn`t necessarily the pump itself, though, so other components in the system should be checked first.
Trouble code P0411 points toward a problem involving the flow of fresh air into the engine or exhaust system in a car or truck.
Additionally, unless your car is older than 15 years, you won`t be able to drive it. Some cars can run with a pump failure of this nature, only increasing emissions output and leaving your check engine light on.
The system is critical to help cars achieve government emissions standards. So, the law says you need a secondary air injection system. Which begs the question: Does a car need a secondary air injection system to run? Strictly speaking, no, it doesn`t.
A fault in the secondary air system can usually be identified by a scratching or whistling noise, or by the secondary air pump no longer working. For vehicles with OBD, a diagnostic trouble code may also be saved in the engine control unit.
The secondary-air pump draws in ambient air and injects it into the exhaust manifold downstream of the exhaust valves. There is a separate integrated air filter if the air is not drawn in from the intake system but rather directly from the engine compartment.
While O2 sensors will have a natural lifespan, there are a few things that can cause them to fail more quickly. Contaminated or dirty fuel injectors, engines that burn oil, and even a very dirty air filter can cause O2 sensors to become faulty.
Yes. While the damage may seem small initially, the longer you drive with a bad oxygen sensor, the worse the damage will become. Eventually, you may experience rough idling, poor acceleration, engine misfires, an illuminated check engine light, and failed emission tests.
Engine Stall
The failed secondary air injection pump can cause fluctuation in power. For instance, in one minute your vehicle is performing well and in the other minute, you may face a drop in revs. Thus, you need to replace the pump to avoid continuous engine stalls and ensure a smooth drive.
The basic procedure is to put solvent and compressed air into the SAI system on the top of the engine and clean the ports from the bottom until air runs freely through the passages. The supplies you will need two bottle of carburetor cleaner.
The function test for the secondary air pump can be performed when the engine is cold, as the pump will then be audible for up to 90 seconds. However, the test can also be carried out with the engine at operating temperature using a diagnostic tester or an external 12 volt voltage source.
The average cost for an Air Pump Replacement is between $491 and $594. Labor costs are estimated between $76 and $95 while parts are priced between $416 and $498.
The function test for the secondary air pump can be performed when the engine is cold, as the pump will then be audible for up to 90 seconds. However, the test can also be carried out with the engine at operating temperature using a diagnostic tester or an external 12 volt voltage source.
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. Blocked or leaking lines can also cause the failure or malfunction of the control or combination valve, resulting in the failure of the secondary air system.
This means that the ECM didn`t receive a signal from the oxygen sensor, which monitors the oxygen content in the exhaust system. The secondary air injection system feeds fresh air into the exhaust, which helps heat the catalytic converter.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
How do you know if your secondary air injection system is bad?
ANSWER : Hi David,
Generally when the secondary air pump goes bad, this will cause the motor to run rough due to the incorrect readings being generated by the oxygen sensors as well as overall lack of horsepower. This is all caused by the imbalance created by the air injection pump not inducing additional air onto the exhaust. By this not happening, this causes the oxygen sensors to read incorrect exhaust gases which then get translated to the computer as the engine needing more or less fuel. When this happens, this can cause the motor to be over or under fueled depending on the air needed in order to run properly. Ultimately, this will also cause the car to fail an emissions test as well depending on the requirements of your state. Should you need additional help in determining if your pump is bad, I would recommend having one of our certified mechanics come to your location to inspect your car.
Generally when the secondary air pump goes bad, this will cause the motor to run rough due to the incorrect readings being generated by the oxygen sensors as well as overall lack of horsepower. This is all caused by the imbalance created by the air injection pump not inducing additional air onto the exhaust. By this not happening, this causes the oxygen sensors to read incorrect exhaust gases which then get translated to the computer as the engine needing more or less fuel. When this happens, this can cause the motor to be over or under fueled depending on the air needed in order to run properly. Ultimately, this will also cause the car to fail an emissions test as well depending on the requirements of your state. Should you need additional help in determining if your pump is bad, I would recommend having one of our certified mechanics come to your location to inspect your car.
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Hot air mixed with cold blows from air conditioning
ANSWER : Hey there. You will most likely have to have a mechanic bypass the heater coolant lines to have this resolved. Your A/C may not be controlling the air flow inside the evaporator correctly out of the vents and may be the blend door actuator stuck in the heat position. Have the AC system diagnosed first before bypassing the heater.
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Cold mist/smoke like air comes out of the air vents when cold air is on.
ANSWER : If you are using regular outside air a/c instead of recirculated air you may be getting a large amount of outside air humidity and can cause a mist to come out of the a/c vents. You should make sure the a/c evaporator drain is cleared and drains freely or the water in the a/c cannot drain fast enough and the blower will pick up the water and blow it out the vents.
Read Full Q/A … : Secondary air injection
Secondary air injection
ANSWER : If you referring to Code P0411 or related codes involving just the secondary air injection system, and no other vehicle components, there is no harm in putting off the repair, excepting of course engine emissions (pollution) will be slighter higher than if the air injection system was functioning properly. No harm will come to the engine or other systems. The problem can be diagnosed and repaired using YourMechanic’s mobile service which is more economical than shop repairs. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed, and repaired as needed, by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an air pump diagnostic/replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Secondary air injection
air conditioner not blowing air from dash vents, but blowing air from side vents
ANSWER : A few different items can cause the air to not blow out of the dash vents. The most common are a blend door or a control switch. The best method for the AC diagnosis feature can be found in the vehicles owners manual. I recommend having your AC checked by a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to have the problem diagnosed and repaired correctly.
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Air conditioner blows hot air on the left side and cold air on the right side
ANSWER : A common issue across many makes and models with dual AC in the temperature blend door actuator failing and causing drastic temperature differences between the driver and passengers sides. Have the HVAC system inspected by an experienced professional to find the specific cause. A certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the AC and assist with proper repairs.
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My heater is blowing air through the driver side air vents but is blowing cold air through the passenger side and rear console ven
ANSWER : Hi there:
Climate controlled vehicles have multiple electrical relays that open and close vents to maintain the desired temperature. In some instances, these relays can wear out overtime. However, it’s also common for debris to clog up vents (especially side vents) which may restrict the flow of cool air. The best way to determine why your AC is not working efficiently, it might be best to have a professional mechanic complete a AC inspection; so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.
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Air conditioner blowing warm air. Heat blowing warm air. Neither hot or cold
ANSWER : If the A/C system is full and pressures are reading correctly, and the cooling system is in proper working order (thermostat opens, no overheating, etc.), then most likely the problem lies with the dash. The climate control head unit may be at fault. One or more blend doors behind the dash may be stuck or broken. If you’re unable to fix this issue yourself, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technician can come diagnose the issue with your A/C firsthand and help you fix it accordingly.
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