So I've been doing the "Check Engine Light" search. My CEL code is a P0174 and a P0171 compliments of Autozone. I then went to Lowes in search of CRC Contact cleaner to clean the MAF...and when I got back in the truck, the CEL light was off???

I'm actually not surprised about the code because the truck definitly seem to suck a ton of air in since I added the AEM Brute Intake. I tow a trailer (10' Enclosed) for my work with a good amount of weight and I DON'T stay out of the throttle. Without the trailer the truck runs great but still seems like it's pulling too much air, with the trailer it feels sluggish & not just because the added weight.

I'm tempted to switch back to my stock intake, but I hate to do that if there is something else I may be missing.

I don't have much patience for messing around with those tuners, but would exhaust help this?

Finally do you think I should be concerned about the check engine light?

Thanks and sorry for the long post!!

Mike

PS. My truck is a 04 Screw FX4 with a 5.4, 07 20'' oem wheels w/stock Pirelli tires

 

try this, disconnect the negative battery cable for about 20-30 mins. then drive the truck for a few days and see how things change, if at all. the CEL may have been the engine compensating for the increased airflow.

on the exhaust thing, yeah it can help. when you think of your engine as a massive air pump it now breathes alot easier due to the CAI you added. but the added air has no place to go so it bottle necks at the exhaust. its not quite that drastic, but thats the general idea.

 

Pheonxx, Thanks for the reply, I forgot to mention that I installed the intake 3 months ago and the CEL came on last week. I disconnected the positive terminal to reset....would it make a difference from the negative? After I reset the + the light stayed off for about 25 minutes....

 

I can't interpret the codes off the top of my head, hopefully jbrew or mgd or others will comment..

You're very likely running your engine VERY lean with your intake, especially if you're towing 10k lbs..

If it were me I'd return to the stock intake immediately... I believe you're frying your plugs at the least, possibly the pistons..

Resetting the PCM by disconnecting the battery doesn't fix anything, it only makes the warning light go away until the next time it trips..

Put the stock intake back on until you get the meaning of those codes.. Not worth hurting your engine to keep driving when you know there's a problem..

Oops.. 10 ft. trailer then, not necessarily 10k lbs.. but still, towing makes a HUGE difference

 

As always, check for vacuum or intake leaks before jumping to any conclusions.

Steve

 

I agree with Steve - Check to make sure your filter has a good seal - My old K&N filter didn't and I had to shim it when I ran one of those - I just run stock filters now - But yea - If your hearing allot of air suction going on under the hood - that's just normal induction noises - aftermarket Intakes don't include the silencer our stock intakes do .. Without a silencer , you here everything..

So Check it out good and make sure you CLEAN that MAF Sensor .. Check your PCV line all the back to the firewall. The elbow in back of the IAC that plugs into your manifold is the one that usually leaks and causes the lean codes.. Watch how she idles - should be between 700 and 750 RPM's ALWAYS , if not , that's a dead giveaway your sucking air from somewhere your not suppose to....

Good Luck

 

Thanks for all the suggestions....I'll clean the MAF and check for leaks and let you all know - just so I'm clear, the MAF on the 04 is located near the TB?

 

Here's the update:

I cleaned the MAF and I can't believe the difference!!! Ever since I put on that AEM intake, I thought it just didn't feel right and cleaning the MAF make such a difference! I would've never thought something so small and easy would make that much of a difference.

I even drove to my buddies exhaust shop an shed about 80lbs by replacing that huge muffler with a straight pipe.

Thanks for all the help!
Mike

 

Hahaa , yea, I've heard that before. A dirty MAF can really screw things up.

I bet you'll be cleaning her more often now

Congrats