can some one please explain the AIR system, i dont entirely understand it. i have been having problems with accelerating and i have a loose exhaust, i was told that there is a butterfly in the exhaust system and that the pressure from the exhaust opens is, and the reason why my car is running funny is because of the car essentially "choking" cause the AIR isnt working right. i want to know how the AIR system works and how might it affect a cars performance.

 

I have never heard of a butterfly valve in the exhaust system. As far I know the main purpose of the A.I.R. system is to cool the exhaust system (i.e. cat) to help with emisssions.

 

The purpose of the A.I.R. is to get the Cat up to operating temprature faster. It starts off pumping air into the exhaust manifolds which raises the temp of the exhaust at that point. Then after a few seconds it pumps air into the Cat which raises the temp in the cat making it "light off" faster. After the Cat reaches operating temp the air is dumped to atmosphere. There are check valves in the A.I.R. system that prevent the exhaust from flowing backwards therough the A.I.R. plumbing. Other vehicles do use a butterfly valve to direct the air flow but the TPI systems use solinoids mounted on the PEDES valve.