Volkswagen vehicles with VR6 engines contain an SAI (Secondary Air Injection) system. It allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperatures faster.
However, these pumps are prone to failure and often cost a fortune to fix.
With the help of this VR6 12v SAI delete a guide, you can remove the SAI system from your VR6-powered vehicle.
That being said, the SAI system’s only purpose is to control emissions, so they can be removed safely without any negative effects.
What Does VW Secondary Air Pump Do?
In simple words, an SAI system pumps fresh air from the intake to the exhaust header.
Adding air to the exhaust header pipes ensures that remnants of fuel in the exhaust are burnt completely, as burned fuel is more environment-friendly.
Moreover, the after-burn process also generates heat at the front side of the exhaust, which in turn enables the catalytic converter to heat up to its operating temperatures quickly.
Since the SAI has nothing to do with the combustion chamber, it doesn’t meddle with the combustion cycle either. This means that the engine power is not affected by the use or removal of its SAI system.
VR6 12v SAI Delete Guide – Step-by-Step Instructions
The VR6 12v motor can be found across varying models of Volkswagen, but the engine layout is more or less the same for all of them.
That being said, here’s the step-by-step guide to removing the SAI system –
Create Clearance for Working Around
The SAI pump is located in front of the engine, underneath a handful of components.
In order to gain access to the SAI pump, pull off the lock carrier and lift/push the radiator toward the front of the vehicle. This should create sufficient clearance for pulling out the pump.
However, depending on your vehicle’s model, you may have to remove the air intake, battery, or any other component that gets in the way.
Disconnect Electrical Connector and Hoses
Once you’ve located the SAI pump, unplug its electrical connector.
Remove the plastic hoses that connect the SAI to the air filter box; it goes from the SAI pump and around the oil dipstick towards the air filter box.
You’ll find more plastic hoses that go straight to the SAI valve – remove those too.
Unscrew the SAI Pump from Its Bracket
The SAI pump is mounted to a bracket with three 6mm Allen bolts. They’re located above the pump, close to the intake manifold.
Using an Allen wrench, unscrew the bolts.
Pull Out the SAI Pump
After removing the Allen bolts, the SAI pump should be loose enough to get pulled out.
And be careful not to get the pump tangled with anything when taking it out.
Remove the SAI Valve from the Engine Head
The SAI valve is attached with a 5mm Allen bolt. Unscrew the bolt with an Allen key and wiggle the SAI valve out.
Once you take it out, you should see the SAI hole in the engine head.
Plug the Hole with an Expanding Plug or Aftermarket SAI Plugs
After everything is removed, the SAI hole has to be closed off.
For this, you can use an expanding plug of ¾” in size.
You could also use an aftermarket SAI plug for the VR6 to block off the hole.
Finishing Off
Finally, there are 2 things you should do to finish the SAI removal.
First, loop the vacuum hose on the SAI solenoid. This prevents bad fuel mileage by retaining fuel trim levels.
Second, use electric tape to cover all the electrical wires that were connected to the SAI pump.
Once you’re done, put back the other components that were removed to create clearance, e.g., the radiator, air intake, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without a secondary air injection pump?
Yes, you can drive without an SAI pump, as it isn’t involved with the combustion cycle of an engine. Moreover, removing it doesn’t affect vehicle performance by any means.
However, the SAI system helps vehicles to meet government emission standards, so you may need to keep it on depending on the region.
Can secondary air injection cause a misfire?
Yes, a misfiring engine could indicate a faulty secondary air injection (SAI) system.
When the pump malfunctions, the air/fuel ratio is affected, and it leads to a misfire.
What causes the P0411 code?
The P0411 error code usually indicates a problem within the secondary air injection (SAI) system. Common reasons are –
- The air injection pump has stopped working
- SAI solenoid is malfunctioning
- Wiring issues in the harness for the SAI system
- The SAI system has too much carbon build-up
Final Verdict
Instead of repairing a defective SAI system, it is often much easier and cost-effective to just remove the SAI entirely.
However, you may have to check the emission laws of your region to know if you can legally remove the SAI system or not.
With that being said, I hope to have helped you with this VR6 12v SAI delete guide!
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