I bought a K&N and took off the factory shroud, now my computer code says too much air. Is it supposed to automatically ajust itself?

 

It will take at least 15 miles to calibrate the ECM. More often than not, this particular problem indicates a leak after the MAF. Break out a can of WD40 or starting fluid, with the engine running spray around the parts you put on. If the engine revs, you found a leak. Another thing to do is clean the MAF, if over oiled the oil can get on the MAF and confuse the ECM. Get a can of non-residue electrical contact cleaner and hose the MAF element down.

 

The oil from that K&N will ruin your MAF

 

according to the site rules, i can't tell you to shut up.
or call you dumb.
or stupid.
or ignorant.
so i won't say it.

countless members have had them for years and if properly oiled, your MAF is fine.....
i just won't say it.

 

If you take Ford's stock answer to a "contaminated MAF", which is to replace it, it MAY "ruin" it.

If, as many people do, you take the time to clean the darn thing, you'll save the $200+(list) for the MAF

--

But yeah, sounds like either the MAF got dirty somehow, or you have a leak between the throttle body and the MAF. Make sure the PCV valve is fully in the valve cover, vacuum lines are all hooked up correctly, etc.

 

Yep, I've had one in my Mustang for over 150K and have never fouled the MAF. I had an oiled filter in my 5.4L for about 50K and never fouled the MAF.
I can get an oily film on the filaments which is easily cleaned with brake parts cleaner or contact cleaner if you over oil the filter.

I would use an unlit propane torch to find the vacuum leak. It won't make a mess of your engine compartment. When it hits the leak, the idle will change.

 

What's even funnier is the layer of black crud that coats the MAF in both my vehicles, and everyone else in the family who's cars I've worked on.

With paper filters.

Last time I checked the '97 Cougar (with a K&N panel filter), it was sparkly clean. Unlike the previous times when I'd check it during oil changes and it was black on one side - while using a paper filter.

ANYWAY...

 

This is a good read.
K&N Response to Mass Air Flow Sensor Concerns

 

I think you forgot a link

 

No, it parsed it to the text you see

Response to Mass Air Flow Sensor Concerns

or knfilters.com/maf/massair.htm

 

Yep, it appears the website code over writes the link because be it has a keyword (K&N), so copy and paste the other link.

 

I'm a K&N fan, and the "myth" of over-oiled filters came true for me.

But I still love 'em, and will continue using them, especially when they show less dust inside the intake tube than stock MC stuff...

 

I've never had a problem, but I have several filters. I clean one up and it sits for a few months before I install it, when I do, I clean the dirty one up and it sits until the clean one is dirty. By the time I install a clean filter, the oil is very set in and the excess has run off.

 

Hey rsylvstr, you dont have to be such a co**sucker I was just passing on what I was told by the Ford dealer, so I was missinformed. ReAX thanks for not being a jacka** and posting that link, some good info there! All I know is I use a K&N filter on my MC (DR650) and everytime I clean the filter I take a clean white rag and wipe out the intake boot and it always has RED oil on it Maybe its because the surface area of the filter on my MC is much smaller? I know what you guys are going to say "you over oil your filter"

 

guess newbie doesn't understand the rules of this site

you should have said, "Rob, i'm not going to call you a co**sucker"

It's saturday....shouldn't you be overoiling your MAF? errr, I mean your filter.