Secondary Air Pump / taking it apart / $1400 / If you own a Tacoma you should read this..

Hello everyone,

For those of you who do not know about the secondary air pump, It basically pumps air into many of the Toyota engine exhaust system for emissions purposes (very rough description I know). The pump sucks air in and pumps it down a tube to a check valve. I would highly suggest you go check that valve right now to see if it is clean up in it. All you have to do is take the tube off and look in there. If there are bits of plastic and foam, you are going to need a new pump soon. First I would call toyota to see if you are covered by the either of the emissions acts (Federal mandates) or Toyota warranty. The next thing I would do if I were you is TAKE OUT THE FOAM FILTER BEFORE IT BREAKS YOUR IMPELLER, the FILTER is causing this $1400 problem!!!!!!! (Although then there is no filter, so this is an at your own risk type deal, in case you did not gather)You only have to take one bolt off and carefully apply small amounts of pressure around the housing to unseal it. I used needle nose pliers, closed them, put the pliers in between the top and lower housings and opened the pliers, forcing the top off of the bottom (read below, be careful, it breaks easily). However if you have said debris in the check valve I would go trade the truck in to the dealership, dont look back, save yourself (ethically questionable). Your impeller probably is already damaged and it is only a matter of time. Honestly you screw them or they screw you, better pick one, because it will happen. Toyota has not acknowledged the problem in the Tacomas. The rep gave me a case number, but said the best I could hope for was maybe a reimbursement way down the line from now.

Well the really bad news is, the pump is $1400 at the dealership and I have not been able to find anyone who makes new ones for our wonderful trucks. Junk yards are pulling in about $250 for used ones (keep in mind, these are all extremely likely to fail due to the design especially with age), so you're buying time for $250. Better yet, the new pumps are the exact design, so it will likely fail again.

A company is selling a bypass for $260, but I have read about several people who have the newest available version of the bypass and it is causing codes to be thrown (the old ones even more people are having issues). The company said that if you purchase the bypass that you should be able to go on and forget you ever had the problem. Hm, $260 seems like a lot for 'should', especially when others are currently having problems. Doesn't seem like a good option, none the less, it is probably illegal in most states (or wont pass an emission inspection).. Irrelevant for most, but not for me in my case.

Since I have nothing but $$$$ to loose apparently I might as well try to take this thing apart. Problem is, it does not want to come apart. I am trying to be careful not to break anything, so I still have several options. Once it is completely broke, no choice but to buy a new one.

Right now the foam filter has deteriorated in my pump, and fell down into the impeller, which broke some fins off and sent those and foam down to the check valve. The impeller is now likely to be off balance, so I have thought of a option, that require disassembly.

1. Round off the impeller blades as evenly as possible and remove the foam filter, then reinstall.

Problem: I need to be able to disassemble the pump without damaging it.

If you are parting out, and want to sell me yours send me a PM. No Junk yard or pick n pull near me even has a Tacoma that I can find in Eastern VA. I am going to keep checking others tomorrow.

Emissions Diagram:


EDIT & update:

I man handled the pump and cracked the plastic casing just a bit (SEE POST # 26 FOR PICS). JB Weld will probably do the trick and not cause issues (the crack is not in a terrible spot). To get it apart I took the 5 star bolts out, used a flat head and needle nose pliers to gently pry apart little by little and worked my way around the top. Plastic cracks easily, dont try and get it completely off on one side, all at once (if that makes since...).

I found another an 08 tacoma at a yard about 100 miles from me that I bought the pump off of. Roughly $140 with a one year warranty. Once the warranty runs out I am going to take it apart and take the foam out. I kept the old one just in case..

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secondary-air-injection-switching-valve.381997/

 

what year is the truck and miles

 

Yes I saw this, 24 pages of randomized info is a lot to attempt to read look through with so many links and such, thank you for reference though. I was hoping someone had on hand knowledge and I could also help to localize some information for someone looking in the future. Just my single first post covered about 2 days of researching...

It is an 05 with 169K, not covered by any emissions acts or warrantys. Meep

 

Question.
What if you don't have one of these?
Is it missing or what am I missing here.
Why would some have it and some not if it's the same motor?
Anyone?

 

When the truck is worth 5 on kbb to a private seller in good condition a 1400$ air pump may park this thing.

If you were supposed to have one and it is 'missing' you would have codes being thrown (unless maybe it was bypassed). ?? I am pretty sure 05-15 have it at minimum.

 

Does anyone know for sure what year/engine size are compatible? I think I read all 2.7L work with each other from 05-2011 but not sure...

 

I could be wrong but I don't think my 2009 4.0 has one. I know my reg cab 2.7 09 does have one of these. Maybe only the 4 cylinders have them?

 

Where is it located? A picture of the engine bay might help.

 

In my truck it is between the headlight and the air intake/filter on the passenger side. I took it out so a picture would not help from my end. It is not covered by anything on my truck, in a open spot. Tube that exits pump goes along side engine head to the valve which is mounted to the head. (May not be the same for your truck?)

 

I wondered what that was. I will def check mine.

 

I remember it being said the 2.7l have had them since 05 and the V6 got them from 2012+

 

Looks like they were an option on either motor since 2006. Most 05-11 1GR trucks it seems don't have the pumps. My 2009 1GR doesn't, still has an old school EGR valve. Looks like they're more common in the 2TR trucks until 2012 when it became standard equipment on both models.

 

This^^^

 

All these other people have one in there truck and i don't.
Ultimately i woundering why some have them and some dont?

 

Thats my understanding as well.
But why? And is my truck missing an advantage or not, not having 1 of these?

 

Is the engine the same fom 2011 and 2012?
I believe it is. Wounder why added so late?

 

If your truck didn't come with one that means it will pass emmisions without it. It's one less high dollar part to fail so consider it a win that you don't have one

 

Thats how i have cone to feel about it. Win,win.

But i might be missing out on 5 or so ponys because of it man...