What does Subaru secondary air pump do?

What does a Subaru secondary air pump do?
The Subaru secondary air pump is part of the secondary air injection system in Subaru vehicles. Its main function is to reduce tailpipe emissions by injecting air into the exhaust system after combustion. This helps to burn any remaining fuel and reduce harmful emissions. The secondary air pump is typically turned by the engine via a belt or electric motor, and it delivers air under light pressure to the injection point(s) in the exhaust system. A check valve prevents exhaust gases from flowing back into the air injection system, which could damage the pump and other components.
Please note that the secondary air pump is only operational for a short period of time after the engine is started, typically around 30-60 seconds.

How do you know if your secondary air pump is working?

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.

How do you check if the secondary air pump is working?

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.

What are the symptoms of a bad secondary air injection pump?

Potential complaints:

• Secondary air pump does not start after a cold start.
• The engine compartment smells charred.
• Melting traces on the electrical contacts of the secondary air pump.
• P0410 “Malfunction”

What causes the secondary air 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.

What happens when the secondary air pump goes bad?

Emissions Test Failed
The secondary air injection pump decreases the amount of hydrocarbons in your emissions system; hence, if it goes bad then the emission system will release more hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. Besides, the emission test will also appear failed due to the bad secondary air pump.

What is secondary air and why is it necessary?

Secondary air injection (commonly known as air injection) is a vehicle emissions control strategy introduced in 1966, wherein fresh air is injected into the exhaust stream to allow for a fuller secondary combustion of exhaust gases.

What are the symptoms of a secondary air injection check valve?

Common symptoms of a bad AIR check valve include:

• Illuminated Check Engine Light.
• Increased Tailpipe Emissions.
• Damage to Other Parts of the AIR System.

Can you drive without a secondary air pump?

Which begs the question: Does a car need a secondary air injection system to run? Strictly speaking, no, it doesn’t.

Can a secondary air pump cause a misfire?

The secondary air pump has nothing to do with an engine misfire. All it does is make the cats work better when they are cold. the rough idle can be attributed to the misfire in cyl# 4.

What is the purpose of a secondary air pump?

The Secondary Air Injection System (SAIS) is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system. Manufacturers began introducing it in the 1960s to help reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, both of which resulted from incomplete combustion.