Can you drive with a bad air injection pump?
The short answer is no, you should not drive with a bad air injection pump. The air injection pump is a critical component of a vehicle's emissions control system, and a malfunctioning pump can lead to various problems, including decreased fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and potential engine damage.
What is an Air Injection Pump?
The air injection pump is responsible for pumping additional air into the vehicle's exhaust system. This extra air helps to further oxidize any unburnt fuel, reducing harmful emissions and improving the overall efficiency of the catalytic converter. The air injection pump is an essential part of a vehicle's emissions control system and is required by law in many regions.
Symptoms of a Bad Air Injection Pump
Some common symptoms of a malfunctioning air injection pump include:
- Illuminated check engine light
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Increased emissions and/or failing emissions tests
- Rough idling or stalling
- Unusual noises coming from the engine compartment
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
Consequences of Driving with a Bad Air Injection Pump
Driving with a malfunctioning air injection pump can have several negative consequences:
- Increased Emissions: Without the proper air flow, the catalytic converter cannot effectively reduce harmful emissions, leading to higher levels of pollutants being released into the environment.
- Decreased Fuel Efficiency: A faulty air injection pump can cause the engine to run less efficiently, resulting in decreased fuel economy.
- Potential Engine Damage: If the problem with the air injection pump is severe enough, it can lead to unburnt fuel accumulating in the exhaust system, potentially causing damage to the catalytic converter or other components.li>
- Failing Emissions Tests: In many regions, vehicles are required to pass emissions tests, and a malfunctioning air injection pump can cause a vehicle to fail these tests, leading to fines or other penalties.
For these reasons, it's crucial to address any issues with the air injection pump as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your vehicle and to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
What causes an air injection pump to fail?
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.
Can you drive with an injection system failure?
Technically, you can drive with a single point injection system fault — but it's not recommended.
What happens if secondary air injection pump fails?
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.
Can you drive with a bad injection pump?
Driving with a broken fuel pump inevitably causes significant driving performance issues. For instance, one of the minor issues it causes is lower gas mileage. Plus, prolonged use of the vehicle with a failing pump may cause damage to the engine itself.
What does an air injection pump do on a car?
The SAIS injects oxygen-rich ambient air into the exhaust manifold downstream of exhaust valves. It does this for approximately 30 to 90 seconds to allow the engine to get to operating temperature. The SAIS then shuts off.
Is it bad to drive with that bad air injection pump?
However, doing so is not advised. This stems from the fact that a faulty secondary injection pump can cause a host of drivability-related issues, most of which can vary significantly in severity, on a case-by-case basis.
Can a car run without secondary air injection?
Which begs the question: Does a car need a secondary air injection system to run? Strictly speaking, no, it doesn't.
How much does it cost to fix an air injection system?
The average cost for an Air Injection System Control Valve Replacement is between $544 and $589. Labor costs are estimated between $170 and $215 while parts are typically priced around $374. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
What does deleting secondary air pump do?
This option removed the most obvious air pump components from the engine bay, providing a cleaner appearance and reducing the difficulty and time required to change the LH spark plugs.
What happens if the injection pump goes bad?
No Power at All
The engine may misfire or fail to start altogether if the fuel injector pump isn't working.
