Any car enthusiast knows that a good air injection system can increase your engine’s fuel economy and operating lifespan. Part of keeping your car in good condition is making sure your secondary air injection system is working well. If it is broken, then you need to replace it as quickly as possible.
Overall, repairing a secondary air injection system will cost you around $450. This cost is split between the cost of parts and the cost of labor. New parts will cost about $250 while labor will usually cost another $150-$200. If you have the know-how you can save money on labor costs by replacing your air injection system on your own.
There are a lot of specifics when it comes to the costs of repairing your secondary air injection system. So we put together this comprehensive guide covering the basic costs and costs for specific models. We will also talk about what factors affect the cost of repairs.
What Is a Secondary Air Injection System?
Secondary air injection systems are emissions-control systems used in modern cars. The secondary air injection system injects fresh air into the exhaust stream of the engine, resulting in fuller combustion and fewer harmful emissions. Secondary air emission systems were introduced in the 60s as a way to cut down emissions from cars.
The exact specifics of air injection systems depend on the model, but most injection systems used a pump to cycle fresh air into the exhaust stream. These pumps have several moving parts and sensors, so there are lots of failure points.
Other secondary air pumps use negative pressure to push air through the exhaust stream. These kinds of aspiration systems are simpler and thus cheaper to repair and install. However, they are not as efficient as a pump system.
How Much Does a Secondary Air Injection System Repair Cost?
Overall, you can expect to pay about $450 to repair your air injection system. This cost will be less depending on if you are repairing an existing system or installing an entirely new one. If you are only repairing your system, you may only have to pay about $200. If you have to completely replace your pump system, you may pay between $500-$600, depending on the specifics of your car.
Here is a quick table showing the average cost of repairs based on the model of the car you have. We picked some of the more popular models so you can get a good grasp of price ranges. Keep in mind that these prices are averages and are subject to fluctuation based on the changing price of parts and labor.
| Model | Parts | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-Series | $230 | $150 | $380 |
| Ford Focus | $250 | $170 | $420 |
| Toyota Camry | $260 | $200 | $460 |
| Toyota Corolla $230 $80 $310 | |||
| Nissan Altima | $400 | $180 | $580 |
| Honda CR-V | $350 | $130 | $480 |
| Honda Civic | $200 | $100 | $300 |
Notice that certain models are significantly less expensive on average to replace the secondary air injection system. This is because these kinds of cars are made with standard parts that are relatively easy to replace. Some luxury car brands, such as an Audi or a Mercedes, might be more expensive to repair as you have to take them to a specialized garage that works on those types of cars.
Lastly, these costs do not include taxes or other fees. It also does not cover related repairs.
Cost of Secondary Air Pumps
In some cases, you can buy a secondary air pump and replace it yourself. The cost of the pump will differ depending on the type of the pump. Below is a list of some popular secondary air pump models, which cars they are compatible with, and the average costs. These selections will give you a good idea of price ranges in the aftermarket car parts industry.
| Model | Compatible Cars | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SCITOO Replacement Valve | Ford Focus 03-11 | $40 |
| Surwit Secondary Injection Pump | Mercedes Benz C230, C280,. C300,. C350, 05-15 | $75 |
| BOXI Secondary Smog Pump | BMW E46, 325xi, 330xi, 325i, 01-11 | $70 |
| cciyu Secondary Air Injection Pump | Mazda RX-8 04-09 | $117 |
| Bapmic Secondary Smog Pump | Volkswagen Jetta, Passat/ Audi A4, A6, TT $50 | $50 |
Manufacturer Parts Costs
As you can see, prices vary between $40 to a bit over $100 for these aftermarket parts. If you do buy aftermarket parts, make sure that they are compatible with the make and model of your car. The last thing you want is to spend money on an air pump that doesn’t fit your vehicle.
Instead of buying aftermarket parts, you can go straight to the manufacturer to get replacement air injection pumps and valves. Generally speaking, it will be much more expensive to go through the manufacturer than through a secondary car parts dealer. However, parts bought from the manufacturer often come with materials and service warranties.
If you buy a replacement valve or pump directly from the car manufacturer, then you will probably have to pay between 50% to 60% more than average costs. Here is a quick list of major car brands and the costs to get parts and labor from the manufacturer.
| Car Brand/Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | $1,300 |
| Nissan Altima | $1,500 |
| Toyota Camry | $700 |
| Ford Focus | $150 |
| Ford F-150 | $400 |
As you can see, buying parts from the manufacturer is often more expensive. However, you can often get good warranty deals if you buy directly from the manufacturer. For example, Nissan offers a 12-month warranty for all parts bought from their store and installed by a certified Nissan mechanic. Ford also offers a 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on all parts bought from the manufacturer.
Secondary Air Injection System Repair Examples
Let’s take a look at a specific make/model of car so we can see how costs bear out for a particular vehicle.
For a 2020 Honda Civic, the average cost for a secondary air injection pump costs about $80-$100 for the parts. Labor costs to install the same pump cost between $70-$120 and takes around an hour. So put together, you can expect to pay anywhere between $150 to $220 for aftermarket parts and installation.
For a 2020 Nissan Altima, the average cost for an aftermarket secondary air pump is approximately $200. Labor for installation costs between $100-$150. So you can expect to pay between $300 to $350 for parts and installation.
For a 2020 Toyota Camry, the average cost of a secondary air injection pump is a bit more expensive, sitting at around $250. Labor costs similarly are higher at around $200-$250. So overall, you will probably pay around $450 to $500.
Lastly, for a 2020 Mercedes Benz 300, the average cost for an air injection pump is about $500-$600 for parts and between $150 to $200 for the costs. So overall, replacement costs would run you between $650 to $800.
Out of most major car manufacturers, Honda cars tend to have the cheapest air injection system repair and replacement costs. At the other end of popular economy car brands, Toyota has relatively higher costs. Luxury brands such as Mercedes or BMW will cost more to repair.
Factors that Affect Secondary Air Injection System Repair Costs
Here is a quick list of factors that affect the cost of repairing a secondary air injection system.
- Injection mechanism. Of the two major types of systems, pump systems are usually more expensive to repair because they have more moving parts. Aspiration systems are cheaper to repair because they do not use an active pumping mechanism but rely on negative pressure in the exhaust system.
- Car model. If you have a car with special design parameters, it may cost more to repair. For example, many luxury car brands have unique parts or designs that require specialized services.
- Repair or replace. All other things being equal, repairing an existing system is cheaper than installing a new one. If you have a pump system, it is cheaper to fix the broken parts than get a new pump. However, it may not always be possible to repair a broken pump.
- Other repairs. Generally, secondary air injection problems manifest with other car problems. You may have to pay more to repair any related issues while getting your pump fixed.
How Do I Know If My Secondary Air Injection System is Broken?
Secondary air pumps are meant to help the engine run more efficiently. So there are a lot of small things that are signs of a broken secondary air injection system.
Loud Engine
If your engine is making unusually loud noises or is particularly loud when turning over. Then that could be a sign of a faulty pump. The pump helps the engine run clean, and if the gas is not burned completely, the engine will be louder.
Inefficient Fuel Consumption
Another major sign of a broken air injection system is lowered fuel economy. Air pumps exist to help burn fuel more efficiently. If you notice that your MPG has fallen and there are no other noticeable problems with your car, it could be a problem with the air injection system.
Reduced Horsepower
Another common sign of a broker air pump is reduced horsepower. Since the fuel is not being burned as efficiently, the engine cannot produce the same amount of power.
Check Engine Light
The last major sign of a broken air pump is a check engine light. Modern cars use the OBD-II generic to indicate car problems. The OB-II code P0410 means that the O2 sensor in your exhaust did not sense a decrease in O2 levels through the exhaust stream. This could mean that your secondary air injection system is not pulling in enough fresh air into the exhaust stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a secondary air injection system?
Strictly speaking, no, you do not need a secondary air injection system to run your car. However, most states have emissions standards for cars and you need a secondary pump to meet those standards.
How much does it cost to repair a secondary air injection system?
You can expect to pay about $450 to replace your secondary air injection system. These costs are split between the cost of materials and the cost of labor. You can save money by replacing your system on your own.
Can I replace a secondary air injection system on my own?
Yes, you can replace a secondary air injection system on your own, but we would not recommend it unless you have previous experience working on cars. Improperly calibrating your air injection system can harm your engine in the long run, so we recommend paying for a pro to do the job.
How can I tell that my secondary air injection system is broken?
Common symptoms of a broken air injection system are reduced engine efficiency, reduced horsepower, and your check engine light. The OB-II code for a broken secondary air injection system is P0410. Your car will flip this code if it does not sense an increase in O2 in the exhaust.
How often do I need to replace my secondary air injection system?
It depends on how much you drive, but, generally speaking, secondary air pump systems do not have a defined operational lifespan. You can often drive a car for its entire life without having to replace or repair the air injection pump. Most air pump warranties
Conclusions
Secondary air injection systems are a relatively small part of your car engine, but they are an important part nonetheless. If your secondary air injection system is faulty, then you need to get it replaced as quickly as possible. While your car can run without a secondary injection system, most states require one to meet emissions standards, and it will hurt your engine in the long run.
Fortunately, compared to many other kinds of car parts, secondary air injection repairs are relatively cheap. You can save money by buying aftermarket parts, or you can buy parts and installation directly from the manufacturer.