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Air Injection Reactor System: Description

NOTE: A Pulse Air (PAIR) Injection system is also used on some General Motors models. See "General Motors Pulse Air Injection System" article in this section.

The Air Injection Reactor (A.I.R.) system is used to reduce HC and CO by injecting air into the exhaust ports, which induces further burning of the exhaust gases. Single valve systems will direct air from the air pump to either the exhaust ports (during cold warm-up), or divert it to the air cleaner or atmosphere (in closed loop and on deceleration). The integral valve and 2-valve systems add air switching functions to those of single valve systems. This system is used with the dual bed converter emission control system. The air switching function will divert air flow either to the exhaust ports or between the catalytic converter beds when the catalytic converter is up to operating temperature and the emission system switches to "closed loop".

Fig 1: Typical Air Management System (Cadillac Shown, Others Similar)
G09317909Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY