CAI install, rough idle....Help

RedStallion43

Member

Sep 10, 2004

61

0

6

Chi-Town

Aug 30, 2005

#1

• Aug 30, 2005

• #1

Can someone please help me. I just installed a fenderwell CAI from ebay and my car now seems to idle a little rough. It sounds like a surging noise. How can I resolve this issue? I dont think it the Maf or Iac needs a cleaning since it ran fine with my stock induction, but I could be wrong. Please respond. Thanks

 

Swarzkopf

Member

Sep 23, 2004

973

0

16

Pittsburgh

Aug 30, 2005

#2

• Aug 30, 2005

• #2

Make sure the MAF is installed in the correct orientation. Make sure that the connections are clean and properly attached.

Your new filter have came oiled from the factory. You likely got oil on the MAF. Try cleaning it with keyboard cleaner.

Make sure that the the intake track is air tight from the MAF to the throttle body.

Not much else can screw up your idle after a CAI install.

 

RedStallion43

Member

Sep 10, 2004

61

0

6

Chi-Town

Aug 30, 2005

#3

• Aug 30, 2005

• #3

I think your on to something with the oil. My filter said oil before using so I oiled it up but I let it sit for about 45 min. Whats the reccomended way to clean it. Can I just spray some brake cleaner or do I have to use the Q tips as well?

 

juiced_94gt

Active Member

Mar 30, 2005

1,143

0

36

Southern California

Aug 30, 2005

#4

• Aug 30, 2005

• #4

soap and water it, then when it's dry, lighly oil it, it doesent need that much just a light coat. and let sit for like half an hour.

 

Swarzkopf

Member

Sep 23, 2004

973

0

16

Pittsburgh

Aug 30, 2005

#5

• Aug 30, 2005

• #5

The filter, NOT THE MAF! LMAO

DO NOT OIL YOUR MAF, or clean it with soap and water. Do not use brake cleaner.

Use compressed air. It's the ONLY safe way to clean it. Spray it out with compressed air for a good amount of time, and if it was oily, that'll fix it.

If not, it's most likely one of the other issues I suggested.

Good luck.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Aug 30, 2005

#6

• Aug 30, 2005

• #6

Why not brake clean? The ingredients look very similar to that of electrical contact cleaner, which seems to work well.

You can clock the MAF to see if it helps. Did you index the ACT (I doubt that is the issue, but who knows, and indexing it is the way to go anyhow).

Good luck.

 

Scott_95GT

New Member

Oct 8, 2004

387

0

0

Sacramento

Aug 30, 2005

#7

• Aug 30, 2005

• #7

Spray it down with a good amount of K&N cleaner, NOT OIL. Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the cleaner can do it's thing. Then rinse it with a hose (don't use any water pressure) form the inside out, so you don't drive particles into the filter. Let it sit out for awhile to dry, then spray on the k&n oil. Spray one pass only, don't spray the chit out of the same area. Let it sit again for about 10 min.

Make sure maf is plugged in, no leaks with any fittings, ect.

 

91LX_5L

Founding Member

May 13, 2002

1,943

0

36

British Columbia

Aug 30, 2005

#8

• Aug 30, 2005

• #8

1.) Make sure your maf is clocked, straight seems to work best for me.

2.) Make sure your ACT sensor is lined up right so the air is blowing thru it (little black sensor that goes in there)

3.) Clean your maf, unbolt the top piece with the security bit, take it out, get a q-tip and some throttle body cleaner, spray the TB cleaner on the q-tip and gently clean the wire you see on the MAF. I dont care what ppl say on here 100s of people do it this way and it works GREAT. Blowing air wont actually get the greasy residue off! Be gental and let it dry after.

That will help a lot. Since your CAI is new and you oiled her up good (prob too much) you will more then likely have to clean maf again in a weeks time.

 

mo_dingo

20+ Year Stangneter

Aug 26, 2003

3,031

2

58

Tucson, AZ

Aug 30, 2005

#9

• Aug 30, 2005

• #9

YEah, I was going to say, make sure you mounted the MAF in the right direction for flow, and make sure the IAT sensor is indexed.
Scott

 

RedStallion43

Member

Sep 10, 2004

61

0

6

Chi-Town

Aug 30, 2005

#10

• Aug 30, 2005

• #10

mo_dingo said:

YEah, I was going to say, make sure you mounted the MAF in the right direction for flow, and make sure the IAT sensor is indexed.
Scott

Click to expand...

Thanks guys for all your help, Im gonna clean the maf. Now what does Indexing the IAT do? And how is it done?

 

SaltWaterFish

Founding Member

Jan 6, 2002

208

0

17

Cedar Rapids, IA

Aug 31, 2005

#11

• Aug 31, 2005

• #11

91LX_5L said:

1.)

2.) Make sure your ACT sensor is lined up right so the air is blowing thru it (little black sensor that goes in there)

QUOTE]

Click to expand...

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Aug 31, 2005

#12

• Aug 31, 2005

• #12

Said another way, one wants the actual element (wire) to be in the air flow path, not shrouded by the 'towers' which support the wire. Do you want to kick a field goal through the uprights from the 20 yard line (middle of the field) or from the sideline? Same deal.

 

RedStallion43

Member

Sep 10, 2004

61

0

6

Chi-Town

Aug 31, 2005

#13

• Aug 31, 2005

• #13

OOO ok gotcha, how do i make sure its lined up, I got to take it apart again and look through?

 

mo_dingo

20+ Year Stangneter

Aug 26, 2003

3,031

2

58

Tucson, AZ

Aug 31, 2005

#14

• Aug 31, 2005

• #14

RedStallion43 said:

OOO ok gotcha, how do i make sure its lined up, I got to take it apart again and look through?

Click to expand...

Well yeah, that is the easiest way to do it.

Disconnect the tube from the MAF, and look in. Make sure the inner element is not blocked. You will see what I mean.

and when you are done, you can put a mark on your intake tube, and another on your IAT sensor. That way, you will always know when it's lined up.
Scott