Idle problem is back

ericgutz · 03-11-2007, 01:13 PM

My idle problem is back again. When i start up the car, it seems like it's not getting enough umph. Last time this problem happened, i messed with the air filter on the CAI and the problem went away. No such luck this time.
Even with the air filter off, the car will only stay on if i give it some gas to keep the RPM above 600. If i release the gas pedal, the car stalls out.
Any ideas?

MattJ · 03-11-2007, 01:37 PM

take your filter off your CAI and clean it. K&N makes a filter recharge cleaning kit for about 10 bucks. Youll also want to pick up some mass air flow sensor cleaner. it comes in an aeresol can and should be somewhere in the same area.

does the car throw a code at all? is your car tuned with a handheld?

ericgutz · 03-11-2007, 02:09 PM

How do i clean the MAF? Do i take off that portion of the CAI and just spray the cleaner through?
I don't think the filter is the problem, because the idle problem is still present when i remove the air filter.
No, the car is not putting out any codes and is not tuned with a handheld.
I've had this CAI for 3 or 4 years and never had any problems until i replaced the old MAC air filter with a K&N one a couple months back.

MattJ · 03-11-2007, 02:18 PM

thats probably why you are having problems. k&n filters are garbage and over-oiled from the factory. i can tell you theres probably oil and dirt on your mass air flow sensor causing faulty readings.

clean and reoil your filter lightly and clean the mass air flow sensor. pull it off and spray the mass air flow cleaner in the sensor and let it air dry off and spray it a couple times to get everything out.

*03gtmustang* · 03-11-2007, 02:58 PM

Yep, probably have a dirty MAF.

ericgutz · 03-11-2007, 03:30 PM

Alright, i've got the air filter and MAF off. Gonna clean & re-oil the filter and spray out the MAF.
Taking off the MAF reminded me of how annoying putting the CAI on was. One of the bolts holding on the fenderwell part was being a pain in the ass.
Let you guys know how it goes after i clean these things out and let them air dry for a couple of hours.

ericgutz · 03-11-2007, 10:01 PM

Okay, stang seems to be working now....... We'll see how it starts up in the morning.
I cleaned and re-oiled the air filter, cleaned the MAF with CRC MAF cleaner, and cleaned the throttle body with CRC throttle body cleaner.
Started the car and it worked a little better, but not much. Figured i'd take it for a drive and see if it ran better after a few miles of running it. The car needed gas, so i put in about 1/4 can of Seafoam with a full tank of gas.
Then i got on the freeway and after a few miles, it seemed to be running much better. Then i slowed to about 45mph and floored it to 100mph a few times to try and clean out any gunk. Would like to have gone faster and done this a few more times, but there's way too many police on the freeways out here in VA beach.
Anway, i'll let you guys know if this problem is really fixed after i drive to and from work tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

ericgutz · 03-12-2007, 11:54 AM

Stang ran great to and from work today.

Sounds like you guys were right about the K&N coming over-oiled from the factory and getting the MAF dirty.
Hopefully this is the end of this problem. And i know in the future to clean and oil any new K&N airfilter myselfe before installing it.

03-11-2007, 01:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
ericgutz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 68	Idle problem is back My idle problem is back again. When i start up the car, it seems like it's not getting enough umph. Last time this problem happened, i messed with the air filter on the CAI and the problem went away. No such luck this time. Even with the air filter off, the car will only stay on if i give it some gas to keep the RPM above 600. If i release the gas pedal, the car stalls out. Any ideas?

03-11-2007, 01:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
MattJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 10,243	take your filter off your CAI and clean it. K&N makes a filter recharge cleaning kit for about 10 bucks. Youll also want to pick up some mass air flow sensor cleaner. it comes in an aeresol can and should be somewhere in the same area. does the car throw a code at all? is your car tuned with a handheld? __________________ 2001 Mustang GT Premium - Mineral Grey

03-11-2007, 02:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
MattJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 10,243	thats probably why you are having problems. k&n filters are garbage and over-oiled from the factory. i can tell you theres probably oil and dirt on your mass air flow sensor causing faulty readings. clean and reoil your filter lightly and clean the mass air flow sensor. pull it off and spray the mass air flow cleaner in the sensor and let it air dry off and spray it a couple times to get everything out. __________________ 2001 Mustang GT Premium - Mineral Grey

03-11-2007, 02:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
03gtmustang Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Va Posts: 3,245	Yep, probably have a dirty MAF. __________________ D&D Auto Detailing -Dan

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03-11-2007, 02:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
ericgutz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 68	How do i clean the MAF? Do i take off that portion of the CAI and just spray the cleaner through? I don't think the filter is the problem, because the idle problem is still present when i remove the air filter. No, the car is not putting out any codes and is not tuned with a handheld. I've had this CAI for 3 or 4 years and never had any problems until i replaced the old MAC air filter with a K&N one a couple months back.

03-11-2007, 03:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
ericgutz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 68	Alright, i've got the air filter and MAF off. Gonna clean & re-oil the filter and spray out the MAF. Taking off the MAF reminded me of how annoying putting the CAI on was. One of the bolts holding on the fenderwell part was being a pain in the ass. Let you guys know how it goes after i clean these things out and let them air dry for a couple of hours.

03-11-2007, 10:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
ericgutz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 68	Okay, stang seems to be working now....... We'll see how it starts up in the morning. I cleaned and re-oiled the air filter, cleaned the MAF with CRC MAF cleaner, and cleaned the throttle body with CRC throttle body cleaner. Started the car and it worked a little better, but not much. Figured i'd take it for a drive and see if it ran better after a few miles of running it. The car needed gas, so i put in about 1/4 can of Seafoam with a full tank of gas. Then i got on the freeway and after a few miles, it seemed to be running much better. Then i slowed to about 45mph and floored it to 100mph a few times to try and clean out any gunk. Would like to have gone faster and done this a few more times, but there's way too many police on the freeways out here in VA beach. Anway, i'll let you guys know if this problem is really fixed after i drive to and from work tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

03-12-2007, 11:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
ericgutz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 68	Stang ran great to and from work today. Sounds like you guys were right about the K&N coming over-oiled from the factory and getting the MAF dirty. Hopefully this is the end of this problem. And i know in the future to clean and oil any new K&N airfilter myselfe before installing it.