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Author
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Topic: CAI Help
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-14-2003 09:08 PM
   
Man, I installed a CAI on my '93. Takes air in from the fenderwell. Looks just like a MAC type, chrome, etc. I got it all hooked up and I am just about convinced that my performance now is worse than when I had the stock stuff on. About 2200-3500 rpms it seems to really lag, especially in 2nd and 3rd gears. You can almost feel it hesitating. Feels like it's trying to suck through a straw. I thought that perhaps I needed to reset the computer, so I unhooked the battery overnight. Seemed better at first, but is back to lagging by the end of the day. Seems more difficult to get it up the rpm range. Maybe it's just me... I'm thinking I might have to put the old one back on just to see if that's really the problem. Think I might have a vacuum leak? I thought this was a straight-forward install.... 
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 32655
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 04-15-2003 04:52 PM
More likely something came undone during the install. Check the plug-in at the MAF sensor for starters. No trouble codes, huh?------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-15-2003 06:39 PM
Nope. No lights.Got even worse on the way home today. Was in 2nd and gunned it. Barely moved, then BLAM, BLAM, two backfires. I backed off and just came home. I'm beginning to wonder if I forgot to take off some plastic inner lining or something. One thing is for sure...something is WAY wrong.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 32655
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 04-15-2003 07:30 PM
Is your map sensor plugged in? I'm surprised you have no codes.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
Mustangs Plus, NPD, Osborn Reproductions, MyFordPerformance.com, and FordRamAir.com
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-16-2003 08:14 AM
You're talking about the plug on the top of the MAF? Yes. In fact, I pulled it off, and then reseated it to make sure. I traced as many wires as I could, and was unable to find anything loose. I also pulled the filter off to make sure there wasn't something inside. Seemed fine, I even breathed through it myself to make sure it was ok. Seemed fine. I can't see what the CAI would do to screw things up...heck it's just a pipe! I'm brainstorming problems...could it be? O2 sensors (wouldn't that throw a code?)
MAF (do they go bad?)
clogged cats
throttle body (do they go bad?) I'm grasping at straws, but something is very, very wrong. I think a stock Neon could take me at this point. I'm thinking that rather than the CAI being the issue, it just uncovered something else that's wrong. I'm about ready to take it to somebody.... Bugs me that there's no codes!!
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Scott G
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: Chattanooga, TN USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 04-16-2003 11:08 AM
Check the wire inside the MAF sensor itself. If you just put a K&N style fliter on there, they can have too much oil that will contaminate the hot wire in the MAF sensor. If that is the case, you just need to gently clean it with a q-tip and something like carb cleaner to get the crud off of it.Scott
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-16-2003 02:12 PM
Sounds like a plan of action. Will this wire be exposed inside the MAF, or do I need to disconnect the connector on top of the MAF and get to it from the top? I'm assuming inside. I have some throttle body cleaner, so I'll try that tonight!Thanks! (Grasps straw) 
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Scott G
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: Chattanooga, TN USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 04-16-2003 04:34 PM
If you pull the MAF sensor out of the intake, you should be able to see the wire by looking into the bore of the sensor. It will be in a small tube at the top. GENTLY use brake cleaner, electrical contact cleaner, etc and a Q-tip to rub off any build up on it. Be careful not to damage the sample wire. Hopefully that solves the problem for you.Scott
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-16-2003 08:47 PM
AWWWWWW, MAN!!!! THAT WAS IT!!!! YOU ARE THE MAN!!! She's all better now! THANK YOU!!!! I must have gotten two full q-tips full of black gunk off of those two wires. I never would have even noticed them had you not clued me in. I also sprayed off the screen in there too.
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Scott G
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: Chattanooga, TN USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 04-16-2003 10:52 PM
I'm glad that it was something that simple. So, how does the CAI make the car feel now, noticeable difference?Scott
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-17-2003 06:33 AM
Incredible difference over the stuttering that I've been having!CAI over stock...I would guess 3hp. Not much, but you don't really expect too much. There is a difference, but it's subtle. Thanks again for the advice. That one was driving me crazy!!
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Stewart
Moderator Posts: 9155
From: Monterey, CA Mustangsandmore Member #437
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 04-18-2003 01:08 AM
Heh. I bet that's part of my problem too!Last August I slapped on a used MAF sensor to replace the one that had been stolen. The car ran perfect the first hundred feet or so, but then it got ugly (no power). I figured it might be the used computer I had purchased. Now I'm gonna have to go check the MAF. I knew about the K&N over-oiling scenerio that can cause probs, but I never thought about that being a possible problem with my power loss! Stewart [This message has been edited by Stewart (edited 04-18-2003).]
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-18-2003 05:37 PM
I got a new car going on here!!
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2289
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-22-2003 08:08 PM
I picked up 2-3 mpg too!! 
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