Sorry, I know this should be on the intake and exhaust forum, but I had it up over there for 2 weeks, with no responses. Thought I'd try here.

This is on a 2001 5.4.



I don't like the way the MAS wiring ends up. There is no strain protection (like the big grommet you see that went into the factory airbox used to), and water will collect in the grommet and run down the wires, causing corrosion. Anyone ran into this or have a solution? I'm thinking of filling it with silicone, but this still won't be a strain relief.

Also, while searching for something on the wiring, I found out about the O-ring that goes between the venturi and the factory MAS housing. This was not mentioned at all in the directions. I found the O-ring in the trash and installed it later. The first time I put it together, I considered adding some silicone make a gasket. The O-ring was too small to fit in the groove, I had to spend about 10 minutes stretching it, and bolt it together quickly so it wouldn't shrink up and remove itself from the groove. This O-ring should certainly be mentioned in the instructions!! I wonder how many are going around sucking dirt?

 

You could try calling AF1 and ask them for a working solution to your problems. I had a few questions when I first did my install too, and AF1’s customer service was very helpful

* 1-888-788-4648 * ask to speak to Evert or Cam

 

Actually, that separation is easily fixed (unless it's been torn or badly stretched) by simply pushing it back over the quick-release connector. Remember, the factory airbox isn't there any more, so that piece isn't required - and they don't end up looking like that when we install them, we simply push it back up and then cover the already well-insulated wires (which are not going to corrode since they are insulated) with an inch or so of split-loom if need be.

Additionally, there isn't going to be any water getting up into there unless the truck is basically submerged, or the MAF is installed in an incorrect orientation - that does not happen in "normal" operation, including driving in rain. About the only way you are going to get water in there short of mud-bogging (just a loose phrase!) is pressure-washing under the hood carelessly - and that should only be done by disconnecting the battery and covering any electrical connectors, and then letting it sit for a day or two with the hood up to let everything dry out before re-connecting & firing the engine.

Just FYI, the gasket is there only for those few trucks who need it - meaning those few whose factory MAF's whose mating surfaces are not flat as they are supposed to be, and that is extremely rare. The AF1 piece that mates to the MAF is actually *machined* to be flat, so the only way you are going to get any kind of air leak there is if the *Ford* mating surface is not machined flat as it should be. And it fits fine in our experience, we have not had any such problems with them. However, we do put all the fasteners in loosely, and then snug them up so that we get a nice seal - I guess it's just a matter of experience on our part, meaning simply that we do so many of them that we really don't think about it by now!

I suppose the most important thing to remember is that one phone call to the manufacturer would have easily covered all of this - that's why they say to call them if you have any problems or questions in their docs - speaking of which, by all means please feel free to send AF1 that picture and call them to speak to them about this. We'll pass this along as well.

Thanks for your post, & good luck!

 

The phone number on AF1's web sight doesn't work and I can't find a listing for them either