Removing Secondary Air Injection System

[SBUBandit]

My '06 needs a SAI pump, and while the cost of the pump isn't cheap, its also not too bad, looks like I can get one around $100. My bigger concern is these trucks tendency to devour SAI systems. I've had the valve replaced twice and now the pump is dead. Meanwhile, the SAI system isn't even necessary. I was looking at ShortBus's TB at the midwest meet, and realized his '06 LS does not have the system at all. This of course made me wonder, did they actually make a separate exhaust manifold, and the answer is no, they didn't. There is a block bolted in place where the valve should be, and his air box doesn't have the hoses for the SAI system. So here's the question.

I am considering removing the valve, and the pump, installing the block in place of the valve, and having the codes related to the SAI turned off by PCM4Less. Any thoughts. This would cost about the same as fixing it, but it would permanent.

 

[Wishbone]

I have it on my '04, and I understand it only operates for the first 40-60 seconds on cold startup. It's just some initial emissions controls and serves no purpose after that. I'd say if you can get the codes removed from the PCM, go for it!

 

[SBUBandit]

I have it on my '04, and I understand it only operates for the first 40-60 seconds on cold startup. It's just some initial emissions controls and serves no purpose after that. I'd say if you can get the codes removed from the PCM, go for it!

Correct, all its supposed to do is warm up the cat faster to help it burn cleaner.

 

[pejeeper]

If PCM4Less can really remove the SAIS codes from the PCM then I'm in for a tune too. SO sick of that damn system...BUT is it emissions legal in New York?

If it is, then I know what I'm asking for for Father's Day.

 

[SBUBandit]

If PCM4Less can really remove the SAIS codes from the PCM then I'm in for a tune too.

I'm on it. I already sent them a message to see if they can do it.

 

[SBUBandit]

I'm on it. I already sent them a message to see if they can do it.

Heard back from PCMforless, and yes, they can turn off the codes for the SAIS. Can't imagine they'd be able to tell emissions wise if it weren't there. It only runs on cold startups for the first 30 seconds. If you take the car in for inspection good and warm, it won't run anyways and the cat will already be up to temp, so it wouldn't matter anyways.

In theory you could leave the valve and pump in place and just unplug the valve and it would look like they were there, but I plan to pull the pump and valve and replace the valve with the filler block that came on trucks without the SAIS.

 

[wink]

I've been thinking about doing this for some time (over a year), you may have just motivated me to actually doing it.

 

[SBUBandit]

I've been thinking about doing this for some time (over a year), you may have just motivated me to actually doing it.

About 50% of my motivation is the fact that the SAIS system is ignorant. I have no problem with helping the environment, but replacing parts of a crappily built, unnecessary system every year just isn't going to happen. The other 50% is the fact that this allows me to justify a tune to the wife.

 

[wink]

Any idea on the part number for the block off plate?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

I am leaving mine in place and having the code for that and the fan clutch removed next week when my pcm goes in for the new tire size and gear ratio. They will remove any code you like.

 

[The_Roadie]

I've struck out every time I've gone looking, including today. Trivial to fabricate one out of 1/4" aluminum plate, I'd imagine. Or go to the dealer. It's either a $0.79 part or $79, hard to predict.

 

[SBUBandit]

It's either a $0.79 part or $79, hard to predict.

No kidding, I've gone in for parts and have them just give them to me cause it wasn't worth their time to ring it up and I've had parts that fit in the palm of my hand that I thought I was going to have to call the bank to approve the charge.

On a side note, I saw first hand that Short Bus's truck has that plate, if it were to be found unattended....just sayin.

 

[SBUBandit]

OK, here's an update. I not only found the part, I found the GM part number!

The part is simply called "Cover" which is why it took me forever to find in diagrams, but its part number 12574378, and it costs $6.04. I am ordering one Thursday so I can pick it up at the dealership Saturday when I have the oil changed on my car. Then I'll yank the whole SAIS system out of the truck and put the cover in. All that will be left is having PCM4Less program out the codes and give a big middle finger to the EPA and call it a day.

Just a side note for fun, I found the part at one junkyard, they wanted $40 for it.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

For that price, I may go ahead and pull mine and cap it off.

 

[The_Roadie]

...I may go ahead and pull mine and cap it off.

... as long as you're done having kids, that's a winning procedure to have done.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

... as long as you're done having kids, that's a winning procedure to have done.

The wife would MURDER me. She wants 2nd little one bad...

 

[rryyyaannn]

I'm dealing with the same issue on my 06 TB. I pulled the hose off the valve and still had air blowing through it on a cold start. Does this mean the pump is still working. I'm going to pull the valve and clean it to see if that helps. Next step is to cap it off, glad I found out that this was possible.

 

[wink]

I used a piece of scrap aluminum.

 

[SBUBandit]

I used a piece of scrap aluminum.

Nice work, well now you have a part number should you ever decide for $6 to get the actual part that goes there.

 

[The_Roadie]

Nice work, well now you have a part number should you ever decide for $6 to get the actual part that goes there.

Something tells me an aggressive lifted offroader like Wink, who carries his mud proudly like a badge of honor, and can fabricate things out of metal other than beer cans, is going to save his $6.

But we all appreciate the part number for the archives.

 

[rugbydelboy]

Something tells me an aggressive lifted offroader like Wink, who carries his mud proudly like a badge of honor, and can fabricate things out of metal other than beer cans, is going to save his $6.

But we all appreciate the part number for the archives.

I keep getting this code (P0410)and in Canada the E Test has changed and I know my truck will not pass in 2 years with the check engine light on and stored codes such as this.....maybe I missed something............................. I can make a plate out of Aluminum....the joys of being a millwright........but how do I remove the codes from the Logic so the truck will pass the new test????????????????

 

[The_Roadie]

A PCMforless tune can suppress the code so you can pass. Lots of other benefits from a tune, too.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

I had pcmforless remove my code and left the system intact last year. No issues at all. No Codes and performance is perfect.

 

[rugbydelboy]

I had pcmforless remove my code and left the system intact last year. No issues at all. No Codes and performance is perfect.

Is there anyone in Canada, specifically near Toronto who can remove ths code???

 

[Shdwdrgn]

Don't forget to also pull the fuses under the hood (#54, 55, 56)... No sense wasting juice having the computer try to run that pump and solenoid if they're dead and/or blocked off.

For anyone who has access to HPTuners or similar, find code P0410, uncheck the SES indicator, and change the mode to "No error reported". I've had mine changed and the fuses pulled for the past several weeks. It's so nice not seeing the SES on my dash! And as far as I can tell, this also is correctly preventing any error codes from being stored for the absence of the SAI pump.

 

[tricguy007]

The only problem with the factory one is u have to shim out the bolts because the bolts r longer and the mounting surface is shorter but the one limeswap sells is made for the longer bolts and its a buck more ($7)

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Don't forget to also pull the fuses under the hood (#54, 55, 56)... No sense wasting juice having the computer try to run that pump and solenoid if they're dead and/or blocked off.

Guess I could do that.

 

[DenaliHD66]

What is this SAI valve? Where is it located? Is it only on certain years/models?

 

[SBUBandit]

What is this SAI valve? Where is it located? Is it only on certain years/models?

Secondary Air Injection. A little gift from our friends at the EPA. When the vehicle cold starts, the Catalytic Converter isn't as efficient as when its hot, so the SAI blows air through a valve mounted on the manifold. The extra oxygen being blown into the exhaust cause the cat to heat up faster.

 

[DenaliHD66]

So not everyone has this?

 

[The_Roadie]

Started in 2003. Improved in 2005 with a pressure sensor in the valve to confirm the pump is blowing.

 

[Wooluf1952]

The SAIS started with the 2004's. My 2003 doesn't have it.

 

[tmm217]

Wow what a great savings and no headache way to fix this SAIS. I was going to try to get this running again put if its just gonna be a problem this plate is the way to go. My dealer got this plate next day and yep only $6.59. Thanks again to the guy that found this part, I wouldve never thought there was a block off plate made for this.

 

[CaptainXL]

I wouldve never thought there was a block off plate made for this.

Supprised? My truck doesn't have the SAIS so it comes from the factory with a block off plate.

The SAIS started with the 2004's. My 2003 doesn't have it.

So for vehicles made after 2003, why do some continue to not have SAIS?

 

[tmm217]

Supprised? My truck doesn't have the SAIS so it comes from the factory with a block off plate.

Just consider yourself lucky! This system has never really worked for me. You do have the I6 right?

 

[Wooluf1952]

So for vehicles made after 2003, why do some continue to not have SAIS?

They continue to not have it because it wasn't a dealer option and magic isn't real.

 

[rugbydelboy]

They continue to not have it because it wasn't a dealer option and magic isn't real.

So after reading this full thread to get rid of my P0410 code all I have to do is to put the blanking plate in between the valve and the block and clear the code or do I still have to find someone in Ontario who can go into the PCM to remove the code from there???????

 

[AtlWrk]

---

So after reading this full thread to get rid of my P0410 code all I have to do is to put the blanking plate in between the valve and the block and clear the code or do I still have to find someone in Ontario who can go into the PCM to remove the code from there???????

You have to have the PCM reprogammed to ignore the codes completely.
And the plate goes on instead of the valve, not with it.

 

[Shdwdrgn]

Also if you are going to use the blanking plate, you should probably close off the air line between your intake and the air pump.

 

[mrphoenix80]

My question is this. Does the A.I.R. system actually cause the Cat to warm faster for reduced emissions, OR does adding clean air to the exhaust lower the Parts Per Million of hydrocarbons by adding more parts of clean air?
IF Polution is the problem Dilution is the Solution!