Secondary Air System - United Bimmer Community

**Rooz** · 11-23-2005, 06:04 PM

Car gave me an engine code today...

P1421 Secondary Air System Bank 1

Now, I know that our cars have a secondary air pump, to reduce emissions. Now that's an emissions deal only, from what I know the pump allows some fresh air into the exhaust in the first two minutes after the engine starts to help reduce air pollution (as if I gave a crap)....

But I read around and found that the vacuum valve in the system is likely to fail first. If it fails it allows moisture from exhaust to reach the air pump, and therefore cause it to die....

Since this doesn't affect the vehicle just the fart that comes out from it am not worried about it, but first I want to wait to even see if the Obd2 even triggers it again.

But just to be on the safe side, wanted to ask... Am I right on this so far?

**Rooz** · 11-24-2005, 08:13 PM

I guess no one has a clue, lol ?

**xsperf** · 11-24-2005, 08:30 PM

spieluhr i think has a clue.. i think he has the same problem

**94bmw325i** · 11-24-2005, 08:47 PM

yeah he was talking about it not too long ago. Aren't you getting track pipes, so you won't pass emmissions anyway?

**Rooz** · 11-24-2005, 09:00 PM

right, but I don't want to see that Check engine light come back though...

**Spieluhr** · 11-24-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

spieluhr i think has a clue.. i think he has the same problem

i do have the same problem. and you are completely right. the secondary air pump will not affect the engine what so ever. If you want to get rid of the CEL, you can either replace the unit

or you can call Active Autowerke and buy a secondary air pump simulator for $150. They sell it when they make headers because the after market headers aren't made to accept the sec. air pump.

it's not a big deal, just depends on how you want to get rid of that stupid CEL.

**Rooz** · 11-24-2005, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

i do have the same problem. and you are completely right. the secondary air pump will not affect the engine what so ever. If you want to get rid of the CEL, you can either replace the unit

or you can call Active Autowerke and buy a secondary air pump simulator for $150. They sell it when they make headers because the after market headers aren't made to accept the sec. air pump.

it's not a big deal, just depends on how you want to get rid of that stupid CEL.

How bad is the labor on it, do you know?

**Spieluhr** · 11-24-2005, 11:26 PM

here is a really good write up...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...threadid=92029

I am going to buy the simulator. I just don't see the point in buying a more expensive air pump that would be more of a pain in the ass to install than a little black box with three wires.

and OT: those splitters looks sick man. You did a great job painting them. And I am sure M-mouldings are on their way.

**Rooz** · 11-25-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

here is a really good write up...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...threadid=92029

I am going to buy the simulator. I just don't see the point in buying a more expensive air pump that would be more of a pain in the ass to install than a little black box with three wires.

and OT: those splitters looks sick man. You did a great job painting them. And I am sure M-mouldings are on their way.

Thx for the DIY, right now, the next mod will be track pipes... Am probably going to keep my molding just because they save me from a lot of dings in my doors.

**Spieluhr** · 11-25-2005, 01:10 PM

^^^
should save up for a supercharger system.

**94bmw325i** · 11-25-2005, 08:29 PM

he'll probably want track pipes with a supercharger system, so I dont know if it matters which one he gets first.

**B_w.** · 11-28-2005, 10:34 PM

Quote:

should save up for a supercharger system.

super chargers suck. get a turbo

**komodo** · 11-28-2005, 10:39 PM

^^ Superchargers are supposted to be more reliable.

**B_w.** · 11-28-2005, 11:02 PM

a properly designed turbo like a tt turbo and probably even an aa turbo will be just as reliable as a well designed s/c. s/c's can be crappy too.

**komodo** · 11-28-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_w.

a properly designed turbo like a tt turbo and probably even an aa turbo will be just as reliable as a well designed s/c. s/c's can be crappy too.

True enough.

Poor quality FI is a bad idea period.