O.K., I know this is the chip thread but I put this on the Other Aftermarket thread a couple of weeks ago and got no response. I installed the Airaid about a month ago, first thing I found out is that it needs a gasket between MAFS and the mounting bracket. Called Airaid, they told me they never heard of a problem that they didn't make a gasket. There was a problem on mine, after assembly I put a work light inside the assembly and you could see light coming through. I made a gasket, solved problem. If you have the airaid, you need to check this.

Now, my question. The inlet for the PCV hose is positioned upwind from the O2 sensor, between the MAFS and the O2 sensor. On the stock intake the inlet is just in front of the throttle body as is the other inlet, I think it is the air box. The instructions I received were not very clear on this so I called Airaid, they told me the PCV hose hooks up in front of the O2 sensor. This doesn't make sense to me, those puppies are very sensitive to contamination, can't be cleaned and are exspensive. Did I hook this up wrong?? If not, has anyone else noticed this or had a problem???

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98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.

 

Dear Johnny,

This is as good a place as any to post that request for info, as there are a lot of guys using the Airaid unit that usually hang out here. I hope you get some good responses here.

What puzzles me is why we haven't heard anything about this before, with as many people as have installed the Airaid unit? For example, so far, just about every customer of ours that has installed the Airaid unit too has liked it, (no, we don't sell the Airaid unit) and we haven't heard anything about a gasket that is needed. I wonder if perhaps this is due to some differences between Airaid units for different vehicles?

Another question I wanted to ask you was this: Did you make a gasket for this just to eliminate the light being able to penetrate that area, or did you have a driveability problem, rough idle, or that sort of thing? You may well have posted that detail in a different post, I just don't remember seeing it. I'm trying to figure out why Airaid's manufacturer would say you don't need a gasket if in fact you do.

I know I'm not being helpful here with your specific problem, sorry about that. I hope you get some good responses here.

Best of luck,

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

 

JOHNNY,

The air inlet system doesn't have an O2 sensor, it has an air temp sensor and an air flow sensor. As long as the PCV pipe enters the stream after the MAF than you should be OK. It is the Mass air flow sensor that is sensitive to contamination from oil. It is true that sylicone componds will contaminate O2 sensors which are located in the exhaust system so you did well to remove your sealant.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
To Be installed;
Superchips

 

Thanks Jean, I guess I don't have to worry about moving the PCV inlet unless the temp sensor is easily contaminated. Do you know if they are??????

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98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.

 

JOHNNY,

I may be wrong but I don't think they are as easy to contaminate as the wire in the MAF sensor. I had mine out two weeks ago and it seemed pretty solid. In reality it measures the temp of the incoming air, so even if it had a layer of crud on it it would eventually report the proper air temp.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
To Be installed;
Superchips

 

Mike, several months ago I think I saw a posting about the need for a gasket, probably in the aftermarket thread. When I posted this message last month one of the responses was that their kit came with a gasket, my parts list didn't show one. I called Airaid and they said there wasn't one.

As to driveability, when I first put it on and noticed the airgap I didn't have any gasket material so I used a latex based silicone(caulk). Daddy had a new toy and just had to play with it. In the next couple of days I noticed the rough idle after it had warmed up. It wasn't extreme(my wife didn't notice at all but I did). I posted problem on Aftermarket thread and someone said the fumes from the sealant might fry the O2 sensor. Another suggested the K&N was overoiled. Another suggestion was the computer was readjusting to more air and /or warmer air(Note: battery was disconnected for about 2 hours during installation).

Anyway, I took it apart, scraped of sealant, made gasket and reassembled. Idel problem slowly corrected itself over the next 200 miles or so. This makes me think it is the computer relearning as my experience with O2 sensors is that once they head south, they keep going. This is why I'm concerned with location of PCV inlet.

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98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.