K&N Intake Issues
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Southern Maine
Take the truck to Autozone and have them scan your computer for free.
Aside from the MAF code, do you get a cylinder bank lean code as well?
How does that K&N filter work? Does it hook up to the stock air box (without the drop-in filter part of it)? Is it a completely new assembly down to the throttle body with an insert hole for the MAF?
I'll tell you now, I don't know what that other guy was talking about with 5.4s and tuners not working well with intakes, but it is the other way around. Your 5.4 with a totally new intake will run leaner than normal without a tuner to bump up the gas injection (at least on certain types of intakes). (and even if you reset the PCM this happens) The 5.4s do not run lean if you use the stock air box because of how the MAF is situated, it can read the air flow better. (I have heard this from lots of different people with 5.4s) With new intake systems, at least certain ones, it seems as though the MAF isn't able to read the air flow correctly because the tubing is too wide or is angled weird and too much air gets past the MAF and the sensor cannot read all of it which causes your engine to run too lean. Bad for engine and other components.
Aside from the MAF code, do you get a cylinder bank lean code as well?
How does that K&N filter work? Does it hook up to the stock air box (without the drop-in filter part of it)? Is it a completely new assembly down to the throttle body with an insert hole for the MAF?
I'll tell you now, I don't know what that other guy was talking about with 5.4s and tuners not working well with intakes, but it is the other way around. Your 5.4 with a totally new intake will run leaner than normal without a tuner to bump up the gas injection (at least on certain types of intakes). (and even if you reset the PCM this happens) The 5.4s do not run lean if you use the stock air box because of how the MAF is situated, it can read the air flow better. (I have heard this from lots of different people with 5.4s) With new intake systems, at least certain ones, it seems as though the MAF isn't able to read the air flow correctly because the tubing is too wide or is angled weird and too much air gets past the MAF and the sensor cannot read all of it which causes your engine to run too lean. Bad for engine and other components.
if you read he already had it scaned, and already had said he had the whole kit right to the throttle body, I belive he even included a picture
the MAF is desigend to read the amount of air that passes by and adjust the fuel to air ratio, that is the sole purpose of a MAF. this lean buisness is a load of crap. a CAI is desinged to move more air, thus causing there to be more fuel in the air giving you a "bigger bang" so to speak.
the problem with the tunes arrise whe you cheap out and use just canned tunes. these tunes can mess specifically with the fuel to air ratio.
Last edited by kifels; Feb 2, 2010 at 10:57 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: New Jersey
They did not say it had that code as well. It is the direct replacement K&N system that goes directly on the throttle body with the insert for the MAFS. I have had a few other friends that had the same system put on and it ran fine without having a tune. I did not think a simple add on like this would cause all this. Do you recommend having it tuned? I am definitely going to grab some cleaner and see if that works.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 269
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From: Southern Maine
They did not say it had that code as well. It is the direct replacement K&N system that goes directly on the throttle body with the insert for the MAFS. I have had a few other friends that had the same system put on and it ran fine without having a tune. I did not think a simple add on like this would cause all this. Do you recommend having it tuned? I am definitely going to grab some cleaner and see if that works.
but I think your next step it to clean your MAF. see how that works. if it smooths out and the check engine light goes out perfect. if it still rides like you are trying to rape it without lube, poke around on the internet and see if you cant find a good deal on a MAF.
the MAF are relativley sensitive, so if you may have bumped it or bent the filament while putting it in it could be bad. but try to clean it first.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 269
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From: Southern Maine
I think you are sadley mistaken my friend.
I don't know where everyone is getting there info but unfortunatly any body can post what they want to.
and ridle me this: why is it that when I do a data log on my truck my PCM is compensating just fine for the CAI I installed? it pretty funny to read how someone says it is not possible and then see it actually hapening with my own eyes
Last edited by kifels; Feb 2, 2010 at 12:18 PM.
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From: Southern Maine
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From: Brandon mississippi
I have been having an issue with my 2004 F150 Crew Cab. I recently got a 77 Series K&N Intake system for Christmas. I installed it about a week ago and noticed some hesitation when accelerating from a roll. I went to pass someone and the truck was very hesitant and seems as though it was struggling and/or bucking. Then my check engine light came on. I took it to a shop where the computer said it was an issue with my mass air flow sensor. The guy at the shop said he covered up the filter with a rag and took it for a ride and it seemed to run better. He says the engine is getting too much air, is this possible? Has anyone else had this problem? He wants to put the stock intake back on to see if it eliminates the problem, any suggestions???? Thank you!
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Land of small dogs
I don't believe anyone said it was impossible, I think they just said that it was advisable and that getting it tuned is what they would do. Adding more air into the situation would definitely be needing a tune IMHO. Adding the CAI and a custom tune, can't go wrong there.
BTW, no one pointed you to a thread, he specifically said "to the OP", seems that he was just trying to provide more info to the person who asked for it.
BTW, no one pointed you to a thread, he specifically said "to the OP", seems that he was just trying to provide more info to the person who asked for it.
Something
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 215
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From: Sussex Co. Delaware
To the original poster: I would just try putting the stock intake back on just to see what happens. It can't hurt.
As far as what kefils is saying, I'm sure he's probably right about what he's saying, but than maybe someone who writes tunes doesn't know about every singe model of every single company making CAIs.
As far as I'm concerned it's probably just a dirty or malfuncioning MAF sensor. Maybe the electrical wires connecting the MAF have been melted a bit or something else is wrong with the transmission of the electrical signals from the MAF. Just an idea. Hell, maybe the spark plugs need to be changed.
Try the cheap ideas first and move up the ladder from there. It's free to remove the CAI and throw the stock intake back on for an hour while it is tested. It's free to scan the wires looking for burn marks. A can of MAF cleaner is only 3.00 or something like that. After that, the sky is yours.
As far as what kefils is saying, I'm sure he's probably right about what he's saying, but than maybe someone who writes tunes doesn't know about every singe model of every single company making CAIs.
As far as I'm concerned it's probably just a dirty or malfuncioning MAF sensor. Maybe the electrical wires connecting the MAF have been melted a bit or something else is wrong with the transmission of the electrical signals from the MAF. Just an idea. Hell, maybe the spark plugs need to be changed.
Try the cheap ideas first and move up the ladder from there. It's free to remove the CAI and throw the stock intake back on for an hour while it is tested. It's free to scan the wires looking for burn marks. A can of MAF cleaner is only 3.00 or something like that. After that, the sky is yours.