would error code 81 cause me to run like poop?

Code 81 – Secondary Air Injection Diverter Solenoid failure AM2. The secondary air diverter valve isn’t working on the Thermactor Air System (smog pump). Look for broken or missing vacuum lines on the solenoid valve to the diverter valve. Look for +12 volts at the Red wire and look for the Lt Green/Black wire to switch from +12 volts to 1 volt or less. The computer controls the valve by providing a ground path on the LT Green/Black wire for the solenoid valve


The Thermactor air pump (smog pump) puts air into the heads when the engine is cold and then into the catalytic converters when it is warm. The Thermactor control valves serve to direct the flow. The first valve either dumps air to the atmosphere or passes it on to the second valve. The second valve (diverter valve) directs it to the heads or the catalytic converters. The air serves to help consume any unburned hydrocarbons by burning them up.

Not normally a performance problem, but if you have an emmissions check coming up, you need to fix it. The bad O2 sensors are another matter. They will hurt fuel economy & performance.