How is the AIR system treated in older vehicles during the VI?

• A. Check presence and condition of AIR pump lines and related hardware.
• B. Replace AIR pump.
• C. Disable AIR system.
• D. Ignore if engine is cold.

Answer: (A)

The Visual Inspection checks that emissions-related hardware is present and in good condition. For the AIR system on older vehicles, you look for the AIR pump and its associated lines, hoses, check valves, brackets, belts, and related hardware to make sure everything is still installed and intact. This matters because a complete and undamaged AIR system can function as designed to help reduce emissions. If parts are missing or damaged, it signals that the system isn’t ready or has been altered, which can cause a failure on the visual check. Replacing the AIR pump isn’t done during the inspection itself, and disabling the AIR system or ignoring the condition based on engine temperature aren’t acceptable practices—the inspection focuses on the actual presence and condition of the hardware regardless of engine state.