1999 Jetta - Secondary Air Pump Replacement

[rmwilson]

I recently got a check engine light on my '99 Jetta and had Pep Boys run a full diagnostic finding that the Secondary Air Pump needs to be replaced. They quoted $337 for the pump, $71.88 for three air pump mounts, and $245.98 for labor. I was wondering if this sounds reasonable?

I found the air pump for around $260 from Checker and the mounts for around $12 each online. Is this a remotely easy fix? I have a friend who is pretty experienced working on cars but he doesn't really know anything about VW's and doesn't want to commit to doing it unless he has good and reliable instructions.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am broke and need to pass an emissions test.

Thanks!

[AgGTI]

Have you checked the two pipes between the pump and airbox are still intact. You can check the pump is running by removing the return pipe at the intake end and when the engine is dead cold it should pump air out of the end for about two minutes or so. The SAI is only used for cold starts to help emissions.
Did you have all the codes on the diagnostic, was there more than one?

[rmwilson]

Thanks. I haven't checked that yet, but I will try.

The codes I received were
P0121 - Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance Problem
P0411 - Secondary Air Injection System Incorrect Flow Detected

[-vdub-]

i had a p0411 and it was a hose under the engine dress that was discintigrated and had the consistancy of bubble gum. when you start it in the morning is there an electric motor type noise that you hear for a couple minutes and then goes away?

[Pssst...passed you]

Ummm, like....wht they said....i would just remove the whole thing. it is not needed.

[Ninja Please]

It is unlikely that your SAI pump is bad. It is more likely a pinched hose (super common), blown fuse (behind driver headlight), or bad valve.

All of which are cheap fixes. a lazy mechanic would just diagnose the replacement of a pump which is expensive and annoying to replace. I would do some tests to see if the pump getting elctricity, the pump is turning on, if air flow is happening, diverter valve is functioning, and if the solenoid valve is working before I would pay someone.

The SAI pump is an emission mitigation system and is not needed for car functionality but makes the world a little cleaner. Most states require the system to qualify for a tag, so you better check before ripping it out.

[AgGTI]

The SAI problems could eminate from the vacuum harness area under the steel plate where the N249 solenoid for the SAI exists (in front of the intake manifold in the area of the dipstick. Could be a bad hose under there or possibly a leak in the suction jet pump. Just something else to check. Wondering if the OP had any more info on his problem.