!AIR burn up cats?
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TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by 1BADFNZ
AIR pumps fresh air into your cats to help them light off faster when started cold. Emissions use only.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Charleston SC
The cats don't work like they're supposed to until they reach their operating temp. The AIR systems injects fresh air to help "dillute" the exhaust coming out your tail pipe until the cats heat up (which can't be that long if you think about it)
Originally Posted by 1BADFNZ
The cats don't work like they're supposed to until they reach their operating temp. The AIR systems injects fresh air to help "dillute" the exhaust coming out your tail pipe until the cats heat up (which can't be that long if you think about it)
and it doesnt really get "cold" in cali anyway. TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 882
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From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by jrp
and it doesnt really get "cold" in cali anyway.I discovered that after I started my job while working on machine parts that are 314 C
Now you and I may think that's hot as hell but to someone in a steel mill.... that's cold **** LOL 
Originally Posted by 1BADFNZ
The AIR systems injects fresh air to help "dillute" the exhaust coming out your tail pipe until the cats heat up (which can't be that long if you think about it)
The AIR pump does inject fresh oxygen, which heats the cats faster than the exhaust normally would. An overly rich mixture will cool the cats off, as well as a lot of stop and go driving. The cats never really work efficiently unless the car is at freeway speeds for some time. This will sustain a very high catalyst temperature which burns the excess hydrocarbons in the exhaust. The AIR system will come on at cold start up, and sometimes during a lot of city driving....you may notice it kick on at long stop lights and things like that. It is to help keep the cats up to temperature.
