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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 03:49 AM
  #1  
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Default SECONDARY AIR

Hey everyone. My 95’ 993 C2 secondary air pump failed and the local Porsche dealer disabled it. They said I could drive it this way until I was ready to bring it in for service.
1) is driving it like this potentially problematic?
2) if not how long can it be run this way without it causing further issues?

TIA!
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 04:43 AM
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I don't think it will hurt anything for the SAI to not operate. In fact, many 95 owners remove the system completely from the car.
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 05:27 AM
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Hi Mathew,

1: Not problematic, the air pump is used to inject a little air into the exhaust manifold so any excess unburnt fuel at startup is consumed and does not contribute to emissions. It only runs literally for a few moments at start-up and then turns off. It is of no operational consequence and does not impact the ongoing performance or durability of any component in the car.

2. The only issue is in some states you will not pass the emissions test and the annoying light on your dash will remain on. The pigtail wires leading to the pump are a known issue in our cars from heat-related wire insulation failure. The wires can be easily repaired or replaced at a substantially lower cost than $1700 for a new pump. Dealers do not tend to fix components, just replace them a good reason alone to develop a relationship with an independent shop who will work with you to fix rather than replace lowering your cost. The pump in my car has over 100K miles of use involving thousands of start-ups and the pump is still good to go.

If the fuse to the pump is blown or the pump doesn't run when manually switched on using the run function in the shops OBDC Reader software, It is most likely the pump or its pigtail wires. Ask your dealer what OBDC codes it is throwing and post them here for a discussion on how others have addressed the issue. Or better yet consider getting a good reader that will read all the codes your car produces.

Here is one posting related to the subject, I believe there is a good DIY posting on how to fix the wires on this site.:
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...g-harness.html

Andy
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 05:33 AM
  #4  
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Originally Posted by pp000830
and the annoying light on your dash will remain on.

Andy
Does the 95 (OBD1) have a dash light for the SAI?
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 08:46 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by IHTFP
I don't think it will hurt anything for the SAI to not operate. In fact, many 95 owners remove the system completely from the car.
Correct.

Originally Posted by IHTFP
Does the 95 (OBD1) have a dash light for the SAI?
No. I’ve been SAI free for ten years or so.



Andreas
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by IHTFP
Does the 95 (OBD1) have a dash light for the SAI?
Maybe not, I can't answer that.
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 08:57 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by IHTFP
many 95 owners remove the system completely from the car.
I feel this is not a good idea as the system doesn't influence performance and the day will come when you may want to sell the car where tampering with the system is illegal and will most likely be a problem for the buyer if they live in a state where emission inspections are required. Also over time not pushing air regularly through the system from the pump may result in carbon clogged air injectors an even bigger issue when selling the car, conceivably lowering its value a material amount because of its inability to pass the readiness state for emission testing.
Andy
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by pp000830
Maybe not, I can't answer that.
What? You did answer, and it was incorrect. It's been known for years that '95 993s don't experience CELs because of clogged SAIs.

Just a thought, but maybe, just maybe, shotgunning every answer isn't the best approach to helping people, especially for the new folks here who are relying on more senior members for accurate assistance.
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 06:49 PM
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The only money worth spending on your SAI system is the $30 for the port block off plugs set. Only good comes of this, unless somehow some commie state would give you some visual inspection fail. Not sure if that is an actual risk or just paranoia. Link:
https://patrickmotorsports.com/produ...13-200-aib-pms

Edit: p.s. I'm only talking about '95s since I assume a '96+ will throw codes if you remove the SAI.

Last edited by TheOtherEric; Sep 21, 2019 at 12:06 AM.
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 07:00 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by TheOtherEric
The only money worth spending on your SAI system is the $30 for the port block off plugs set. Only good comes of this, unless somehow some commie state would give you some visual inspection fail. Not sure if that is an actual risk or just paranoia. Link:
https://patrickmotorsports.com/produ...13-200-aib-pms
Thanks everyone and Eric. I just ordered these port block off plugs. My pump failed and the local Porsche dealer wants $3500 (Canadian) for the parts and labour. I’ll worry about that should the day come that id like to sell.
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by MathewSaid
My pump failed and the local Porsche dealer wants $3500 (Canadian) for the parts and labour.
Words cannot accurately describe the insanity of that quote. Wow.

Remove the bloody system, install the Patrick plugs, and move on.




Andreas
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 09:45 PM
  #12  
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For $3000 I will drive up to Canada and install my old system on your car 😛
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark in Baltimore
What? You did answer, and it was incorrect. It's been known for years that '95 993s don't experience CELs because of clogged SAIs.

Just a thought, but maybe, just maybe, shotgunning every answer isn't the best approach to helping people, especially for the new folks here who are relying on more senior members for accurate assistance.
But but but he's the Shade Tree Fixer?!?
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 10:18 PM
  #14  
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For an outsider looking in, and understanding little of the technology, should most or everyone do this SAI plug substitution?
Fre or
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Old Sep 20, 2019 | 10:59 PM
  #15  
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If I do the sai block off plates will that trigger any codes in my '97 ecu?
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