I have seen mention of it, but I have no idea what the AIR system really is?

 

At engine startup, the AIR pump (electrically driven) turns on and blows fresh air into the exhaust manifolds. This air combines in the exhaust system with the unburned fuel from the rich "cold start" A/F mixture, and the heat that is released helps the catalytic converters heat up faster. They won't work until they reach ~600*F. Once the cats heat up, the AIR pump turns off and is not used until the next engine start.

 

Where is the air pump located and how hard is it to change? Price?

 

Why Would You Want To Change It Just Take It Off!

 

Its located for most cars on the drivers side of the motor just to the side of the waterpump/opti. Very easy to remove The tubing is a bit of a pain. I managed to remove all the tubing for the air system (on 2 cars) without cutting although a lot of people just opt to cut the tube.

On the earlier years it was in a slightly different spot but still on the driver side.

Be sure to have M22 drain plug to plug your manifolds with once you remove all the tubing.

 

Taking it off would result in the SES light coming on wouldn't it? That would lead to Inspection problems for me

 

You can have it tuned out with a dyno tune or a mail order tune. Is there something wrong with yours, or why do you want to put a new one in?

 

It depends on the year of your car, and you didn't bother to give us any info. For example, 93-95 will not set an SES light, as long as there is a good fuse in the system. And the M22 plugs are only applicable for certain years. And there is an AIR pump recall on some years - dealer fixes it for free.

Without adding basic info about your car - year, model, engine, tranny and any major mods - you're making it more difficult for people to accurately answer your questions. Why not add a "signature"?