Secondary Air Pump Mod Validity

[troopa4life]

I was doing some research on the failures Toyota owners have experienced with the secondary air injection pump and came across the thread below. I wanted to see if any 4Runner owners have done this as well and whether it’s actually effective. I’m planning on doing this mod after the warranty expires but just wanted to see what all of you experts thought about it.

https://www.metaltech4x4.com/blog/lexus-gx460-secondary-air-intake-pump-mod-the-unimod-/

 

[dylans]

You've got my attention. I'd definitely try it. Can't see why it wouldn't work... But I haven't really looked at the pump in the 4runner yet. I'm gonna check it out.

 

[<<<<]

interesting...

 

[Agent_Outside]

It would work just fine. Most car companies just pipe the secondary air pump to pull filtered air from the engine air box.

The only thing your loosing with this setup with the external filter is water resistance.

 

[troopa4life]

Agent you bring up a good point, in the event you were fording water you would run the risk of water entering through there. I’m wondering if the original filter element can be replaced?? I still think this is something that the 2013+ runners can use to increase the longevity of the AIP granted that the UNI filter is replaced on a regular basis (yearly).

 

[Taco04]

I have had one on my 4runner for over a year. This is a well known problem on Tacoma's since they were one of the first victims to receive the crappy air pumps. Any way below are some pics of the one on my 4Runner never mind the air pumps location it has been moved to make room for a couple of other things. The only thing I have noticed is it makes the pump a bit louder as it probably breaths a bit better now.

With the factory cover on. Not worried about ingesting water on mine the truck will be floating before this thing takes in water on so I will have far greater issues....

 

[troopa4life]

[MENTION=110414]Taco04[/MENTION] thanks for the feedback looks good sir! You’ve been holding out on us for a year huh ?

 

[gringo8251]

Yep, this calls for an inspection when I get home.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Isn't this the air injection pump that only runs at start-up and shut down?

If you're really worried about water, why not run the filter out on some fuel line and mount it on the firewall just under the hood? If you've got water at that height you've got more important problems to worry about.

 

[dylans]

I looked at the brand of filter and they're a pretty well known brand for atv and dirt bike filters. They're made of an open cell polyurethane foam. They're oiled like a kn so you just clean them and re oil when necessary.

Not worried about water here. I've read about the success of this modification so I went and ordered the UP-107 filter. $15 on amazon.

 

[troopa4life]

I ordered mine as well.

 

[rayofsi]

seems interesting! ordering one!

 

[borfoo3]

So just to understand why this is done: is basically out of concern that the OEM foam filter will break apart and crumble into the pump impellers??

Is this an actual issue or good marketing? Never heard of such a failure on T4Rs

I'll admit its a tempting mod that looks cool for $15 but doesn't seem like it 'fixes' anything

 

[c10bonanza]

When I was shopping last year for a vehicle, I was considering some of the older body style GX460s. I seem to recall some issues those vehicles had with the OEM filter deteriorating and people either removing it completely or putting an aftermarket filter on like this.

I’d forgotten all about it since then and don’t recall anyone having had an issue in the 4Runner. I suspect it is an overblown issue, but I’m interested in hearing others feedback.

 

[e60ral]

they explain the reasoning in the link, it's to prevent air pump failure by removing the foam filter that degrades and damages the pump

 

[dylans]

So just to understand why this is done: is basically out of concern that the OEM foam filter will break apart and crumble into the pump impellers??

Is this an actual issue or good marketing? Never heard of such a failure on T4Rs

I'll admit its a tempting mod that looks cool for $15 but doesn't seem like it 'fixes' anything

Purely preventative. But considering the well documented history across other toyota and lexus vehicles with this same pump and foam filter design... For $15 why not.

I haven't read of any failures on the 5th gen either, but were it to happen in the classic way (foam filter failure), I'd be out something like $600 for a new pump. I like experimenting too.

:tea:

 

[Heavy_GD]

Here I am, logging into T4R after a trouble free weekend, ready to see you glorious savages ripping up the newbs over tire size posts and damned if I dont end up with a mod I didnt even know I needed.

 

[Craigy]

Us GX460 guys have been doing this for a couple years now.

I don't think anyone has reported problems.

 

[borfoo3]

Purely preventative. But considering the well documented history across other toyota and lexus vehicles with this same pump and foam filter design... For $15 why not.

I haven't read of any failures on the 5th gen either, but were it to happen in the classic way (foam filter failure), I'd be out something like $600 for a new pump. I like experimenting too.

:tea:

The documented history that I know of was based on the older Lexus/ Tundra/T4R V8 design pumps. Their design was prone to ingesting water and that caused all sorts of mess. Thankfully seems the 1GR pumps don't have this issue. No issues with the foam whatsoever that I know of.

Guess it doesn't hurt to experiment.

 

[Hemibee]

I just did the UniFilter mod on my 2nd Gen Taco. The truck has 53000 miles on it and the foam filter was still intact but brittle. The entire mod took a total of 5 minutes to do and most of that time was spent looking for the T25 driver.


When this mod first came about on the early 2nd Gen 4 bangers the cost of the air pump was $1200 to $1400 but currently sells for $600. The pumps have not been the only casualties of the foam failure. The two injection valves have also been part of some of the failures and they reportedly are running around $700 for the pair and they are only sold in pairs.

To reply to the water ingestion comment, the original foam filter would not keep this from happening so there is no added risk that I can see.

Yes, UniFilter sells filters you clean and oil like a K&N or TwinAir Filter but the filter for this mod is not one of those. This filter will need to be changed instead of cleaned and oiled. How long will this filter last? I don't know, I will be inspecting it at normal service intervals and replace it when needed.