What is this part in the engine bay?

I'm planning to mount my snorkel soon and also mount my air compressor in the engine, where another user has also mounted his.

However, in the spot where he mounted his compressor, I have this component (circled in red below) in the way. Is this part of the stock intake system? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Air Induction Pump. You'll need to keep that POS or the truck will not run very well.

edit: Here's one that has been moved. You could try something like that. Air Pump loud after CAI mod

 

Is it in a different spot on Off Road models?

 

You can remove it, but you'll need one of the Hewitt-tech bypass kits and pump replacement packs. Its not cheap ($500), but cheaper than replacing it, when it goes bad.

 

Some years have it and some don't.

 

Its only on the 2012-15's I think.

 

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the insights.

 

Sounds like the general consensus is: don't touch it, mount my air compressor somewhere else.

 

Slee Offroad makes a mount for the ARB compressors up by the windshield fluid reservoir. http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_air.htm

 

Thanks, I've seen that. I'll look into it.

 

Those stupid air pumps are the only real draw back to the facelift models, they make the exhaust red hot too even after a short drive. Along with a frustrating code that is only solve with expensive repairs.

They are the solution for heating the cats up without moving the cats any closer to the engine bay (and creating high underhood temps)

I would do a delete rather than a relocation if you are past warranty. Save the parts and block off the exhaust ports with tin. Like the old EGR block off days.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...pass-kit-2012-4-0-updated-21-oct-2016.394629/

 

When I bought my '09 last Fall the air injection pump was the secondary reason '12 to '15 Tacomas were not on my shopping list--the primary reason was what it cost '12-'15s in AAA+ condition.

I think the 4.0 became over the years a "dirty" engine per CAFE standards, Toyota added the air injection to get it to pass while they developed and retooled for the 3.5. Motorcycles have been bolting on air injection pumps for dome years to make their engines meet emission standards--both my '03 Burgman 400 and '06 Silver Wing 600 had them--I say "had" because they went away quite quickly after I bought the bikes...

 

Sub for what you end up doing to install your snorkel and compressor

 

I moved mine in front of the washer fluid reservoir, near the radiator hose. Took some 1/4"x2" steel and bent up a bracket.

 

Is that why i have an empty spot there in my ‘11? Looks like something’s missing

 

SLEE Offroad offers brackets to mount your compressor forward of the windshield washer reservoir.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_air.htm

 

Why does it have a knob? And what does it do if you turn it?

 

It's not a knob, its part of the filter intake plenum for the secondary air injection pump. Some may have removed the plastic cover and removed the faulty sponge filter and replaced that plastic cover with an external breather filter like myself.

Edit:

$20 Uni Filter UP-107 1" Clamp-On Breather

https://www.amazon.com/Uni-Filter-U...ords=1inch+uni+breather&qid=1577385491&sr=8-1
This breather filter, 14$ for piece of mind vrs a costly repair to a limp mode truck over a broken down sponge filter. It'll look like this when installed correctly: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/identify-this-part.644331/#post-22321560

-J

 

They extended the warranty on that part to 10 years, unlimited miles, so nobody is out of warranty on that system yet.

 

I'm so glad that my 2012 doesn't have it!!!!