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

4.0 v6
My system went out with 49,000 miles on it.

 

The check valve going bad has nothing to do with causing the impeller on the pump to break into pieces. If I was replacing a $100 check valve this would be a completely different story. Check valves would typically be expected to fail naturally due to age and use before a pump in most settings.

I do not see how the foam contacting the impeller is not the sole issue for the impeller breaking.

@JdevTac

 

I'm not saying the foam isn't related to the fan going out. I'm saying that's not the only problem with these pumps.

Edit: I posted that in regards to someone saying that if they take out the foam they are free and clear but that's not the case by what's been documented.

 

True. I have heard of motors going out also and I am sure there are others. However mine would still be alive at 170K and 12 yrs old if the foam hadn't wrecked my day.

 

Didnt mean to imply that the check had anything to do with the impeller. I was thinking perhaps if you had a functioning pump and were to remove the filter there would be more deposits on the valve, this may lead to more problems if the valve sticks. Removing the filter may increase the life of the pump but may require maintaining the valve function. Just thinking on your problem.....

 

Good replies, but at this point- is all speculation and theory. Minding one positive bypass experience. My'13 taco only has 24k miles on it so I don't think I have anything to worry about for a while and I don't want to fix something that isn't broke, but I would like to avoid this issue all together... ounce of prevention and all that...

Here is a question: does anyone have this issue with the 4.0 other than the 2012 models that we can confirm?

 

Well I'm at ~60k which is prime time for pump failure so I'll be posting about it if it goes lol.

I think for 13+ were good to go but like you said, all speculation based on anecdotal accounts at this point. Too early in the game.

 

Good luck with your pumps fellows. Let us know how it turns out OP. Signing off for the night.

 

There is some sort of federal emissions act which covers some vehicles but from what I have gathered it is even less time/miles than the dealership warranties out there. If you are/get to the end of your warranty I would at least think about taking the filter out. Yes you will have to check your valve more frequently, and yes the valve may have increased chances to fail. You can buy a lot of check valves for $1400.

Yes, a lot of this is speculation, but the foam issue is definitely a real problem. Obviously how anyone wants to approach the situation is up to their own judgement, at least now they have been made aware haha.

I will keep this updated with what I do.

 

I have 70K on mine. Pump is still well and ticking, who knows in what kind of internal shape it is in, however.

 

Wow bro the whole thing about the pony was a joke!
Calm down. You could use a little sarcasmin your life!

 

As stated above the foam isn't the only issue with this system. The valves get moisture in them and fail, mine did this at 29k and then at 53k failed completely. I took my pump apart to check before installing the new valve set and the foam was in tact. I had a lot of moisture in the valves and the rubber around the plunger of the rear most valve was deteriorated.

 

Exactly this

 

What happens when the valve does break? It should affect the engine right? This is just a preheated no?

 

Puts the truck into limp mode, pretty much renders it undrivable. Bunch of crap if you ask me, limp mode for a system that's used for a brief moment at start up.

 

Regarding the valveset. How much are these and are they easily obtainable? I would imagine not so the case on being easily obtainable unless through dealer only right?

 

This.

 

Dealer only of course and about $500 for the set.

 

Speaking of valves and moisture. When I was installing the bypass for the system I decided to look behind the valves just for giggles. Keep in mind my truck had been out of commission for close to 1 month while I waited on Toyota Corp and the dealer to do something. Fed up with the waiting game and getting rides to work I decided to order the bypass. Just wish I would have done that sooner.

Anyway here is what my valves looked like after a month...still had moisture behind them.
2012 4.0 V6 with roughly 49,000 miles

 

That's how mine looked as well, one thing is for sure they all seem to go about the 48k-55k mileage range it seems like.