2005+ Emission/Air Pump Failure?

[txtortoise]

Running a 2007 LX470 now and thinking about a 2004 GX470 for my wife. My tech at Lexus, who has a 2004 w/350K on it, and the Svc Mgr are real leary of the 2005+ due to emissions gear added that year. "It's not if it fails, but when it fails", its buried under the engine and apparently runs $2-$3K to fix at shop rates.

Not seeing much discussion of this, but maybe not searching correctly.

Just hesitated on a 2004 with 70K miles for $18K due to price, but it sold within a day. Others at that price are in the 120K range for a Texas truck. No hurry and just watching for low mileage rigs.

Thoughts on the emissions stuff?

 

[LostZona]

All Toyota/Lexus vehicles with the VVT-I 4.7 engines have the secondary air injection pump. This includes the '05+ GX, Tundra, Sequoia, 4runner and the 06'+ LC/LX's. Its basically an emissions component that blows fresh air into the exhaust system to help the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly and therefore become more effective at cleaning exhaust gases. Once the catalytic converters are warmed up, the system is no longer needed. If you do a Google search for "Toyota secondary air injection pump", you will find a ton of information...mostly via the Tundra forums. I also believe there is a bypass kit that you can purchase that is not as costly as the getting the whole system replaced.

I am also on the search for a 2004 GX for this exact same reason. However, if I find a well maintained 2005+ in my price range,, I;m not going to let the issue scare me away from purchasing.

Hope this helps and I'm sure someone else will chime in with a better explanation.

Good Luck with your search!
LostZona

 

[JLee]

I'm not worried about it- I had an 05 Tundra for a few years, and my GX is at ~105k. If it breaks, I'll fix it- the power bump from 04 to 05 is worth the risk for me.

 

[470SNC]

06 here with 110k miles w no issues so far

 

[SouthernSS]

140k miles on 08 and no issues

 

[Oildawg4]

07 with 115k miles and no issues.

 

[SouthernSS]

I would definitely NOT list that as a reason not to get a newer model truck. Not to mention the horsepower bump, but they also updated the infotainment system in 2006, I believe. The updated version is much more modern looking. Its definitely a night and day difference.

 

[Sam Stewart]

The failure rate for that system is VERY HIGH on the TUNDRA 5.7... I only think I've ever seen one 4.7 in a 4Runner or GX fail. It's the same system but apparently isn't as flawed as the Tundra setup. I have an 08 with 110k and no issues. I think the newer trucks with more hp and all the other upgrades is well worth the perceived extra risk.

 

[04UZJ100]

There is a $170 bypass system and plate on eBay. No codes and no failed emissions tests either. If it happens to me, that's what I'm doing.

 

[mercedeezel]

we had this issue pop up on our GX earlier this year in January but it seemed to go away when the outside temps are above 90 degrees - common in Houston. but now the CEL and a couple other dash lights are back on permanently. i decided on the bypass route. I ordered a kit from these guys Hewitt Technologies Inc. - Store

i decided to install the block off plates 1st. passenger side is a bit of a bear to get at. you can access them without taking off the tire. i used a stubby 10mm on the outermost nut and a 1/4 drive ratchet with a 10mm deep socket on the inner most nut.

driver side tube is easier to access.

i watched a couple youtube vids to get the gist of the install. One video said to route the purple wire from the starter relay 1st so you could get a cleaner install. i temporarily installed the purple wire 1st and then decided on a location for the module. I decided to stick it on the passenger side fender well just behind the air filter box.

 

[mercedeezel]

next i had to splice into a couple of wires. i'm not good with soldering so i watched a couple more youtube vids on the subject and practiced on some scrap wire to get the hang of it. below is the finished product. all i had to do was get out the electrical tape and start buttoning things back up. I still need to get some wire loom to hide the purple wire from the relay box.

the kit works as advertised. no more CEL and warning lights! of course this is "off road only"! Cheers!

 

[fantic]

I replaced mine a few years ago before the bypass kit was out. Bought the pump from Napa for around $70. It's the same pump that's on a 96 Blazer I believe. I have a post on Club Lexus that shows it.

 

[The Great Him]

this was a concern of mine when i was looking as my father inlaw is a master tech for toyota who has worked at a dealership for over 30+ years. he has seen numerous secondary air pumps fail and would not buy a rig with one. the hp gained is not gonna be noticeable, as i have driven a 05 gx with the system and i could not tell the difference between it an mine while driving even under full throttle acceleration. -also he said that the intake for the pump was low enough he has seen a few suck up water and cause damage from that.

i would not say its a deal breaker, but for me its not ideal

 

[GXO]

I have an 03. Plenty of power, no issue with emissions stuff, and I put my stereo system/infotainment up against anyone!

 

[hewitttech]

Nice install of our V3xW wired kits for the 05-07 vehicles. It is also available in a plug and play kit so you don't have to wire it in, currently our V36H kit. We also have them for the 08-2012 guys but those are out V52H kits because of differences in the ECM.
Here are the links to those:
2005-2007 kits: https://hewitt-tech.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=26
2008-2012 kits: https://hewitt-tech.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=27

 

[JLee]

I'm not worried about it- I had an 05 Tundra for a few years, and my GX is at ~105k. If it breaks, I'll fix it- the power bump from 04 to 05 is worth the risk for me.

Update. My first GX is now owned by my dad at 145k. My second GX has 186k and is still fine.

No regrets taking the extra 35hp.

Nice install of our V3xW wired kits for the 05-07 vehicles. It is also available in a plug and play kit so you don't have to wire it in, currently our V36H kit. We also have them for the 08-2012 guys but those are out V52H kits because of differences in the ECM.
Here are the links to those:
2005-2007 kits: https://hewitt-tech.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=26
2008-2012 kits: https://hewitt-tech.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=27

That's probably what I'll end up with if mine fails.