View Full Version : Deckplate and MAF Issues?
DelveDS
11-16-2007, 05:02 AM
Hey does anyone else have the check engine light come on very frequently with their deckplate out? Clean the MAF and it's back to normal for a week then the check engine light again, and again... But with the deckplate in there is no check engine light... Is this a bad MAF or what, does anyone know anything about this?
What filter are you using? You've read that K&Ns can get over oiled and gunk up the MAF right. The only other thing that I can think of right now would be to check for cracked hoses or a possible leak somewhere in the intake.
I don't know if there's a way to check out the MAF with a multimeter or not. Trading in a known good MAF would be logical, but I don't know anyone who has an unused one sitting around. What's the code that you're seeing?
DelveDS
11-16-2007, 02:48 PM
I'm suing an air filter from Auto Zone. The code is for the O2 sensor, but if it were the O2 sensor my MPG would suck, and mine only sucks due to larger tires. :cool: I'll check the intake for any leaks, i might have a bad O-ring on the MAF itself...
I do the maintainence on a Toyota Sienna that keeps lighting a CEL for one of the O2 sensors....it still gets 30mpg. There's nothing wrong with your intake, dealing with the sensor will rid you of the CEL. On the Sienna, I can reset the CEL and it will stay off for weeks or come on again the same day. It's tripping the light when it's outta spec, even if it's only for a predetermined amount of time (just because the light came on, won't mean that the sensor is out of spec the entire time). Leave your deckplate in longer just to be sure. And remember that an O2 sensor is cheaper than a MAF. The Sienna ones are about $90ea. and the ones for my 97 V6 Tacoma are just over $95ea.....Toyota ones anyway.
DelveDS
11-17-2007, 10:12 AM
With the deckplate in for a while, the CEL definately does not come on very often. Only once in a while, maybe every 3 weeks or so, and then turns off again after cycling the engine off and on throughout a day or so.
I'd suggest that you take care of the O2 sensor and see what happens afterwards....you could be done by noon.
RedRunnertc
11-17-2007, 05:02 PM
www.urdusa.com for good prices on O2 sensors.
NOTE: do NOT use Bosch sensors in a Toyota. Seems the Germans and Japanese don't get along so well after WWII...
Wildturkee
11-17-2007, 06:02 PM
it does sound like that the o2 is in the "verge" meaning with out the deck plate you are running on the lean side and the o2 cant compensate for it any longer, with the deck plate it richens up just a little and the o2 is happy most of the time. new o2 seems to be the answer.
Blowntaco
11-18-2007, 09:10 AM
From a Toyota tech, your answer is a new o2 sensor
DelveDS
11-18-2007, 04:14 PM
Sweet! The code will tell me which O2 sensor needs to be changed right?
Wildturkee
11-18-2007, 05:22 PM
id replace all of them at once, if one is going the others are sure to follow...just my opinion or :2cents:
I can't be sure, it may depend upon the code. BTW, do you recall what the code was? I have plans to change both of mine next month during a clutch replacement.
DelveDS
11-19-2007, 09:54 AM
I can't be sure, it may depend upon the code. BTW, do you recall what the code was? I have plans to change both of mine next month during a clutch replacement.
No Idea at the moment, I have to go down to Vato Zone and get it read and get the O2 Sensors... I'll post it up when I get back...
spindleshanks
11-20-2007, 07:47 AM
When you installed your deckplate, you used silicone that wasn't sensor-safe, homey.
DelveDS
11-20-2007, 02:03 PM
When you installed your deckplate, you used silicone that wasn't sensor-safe, homey.
I assumed that the tube I got from Autozone that said "Sensor Safe" was in fact sensor safe... my bad LOL
DelveDS
11-23-2007, 01:40 AM
Ok so I had to get my emissions done on Monday. I pulled the MAF sensor and sprayed it down with brake cleaner, the CEL has not come on yet with the deckplate in. I fast-passed! Maybe I have a bad air filter or something that is making the MAF dirty faster than normal? Times like these I wish I didn't blow my multimeter... Maybe Santa will bring me one...
Eww, I'm not sure I'd use brake cleaner on the MAF. An electrical cleaner is much safer and not that expensive. I thought that you were going to replace an O2 sensor?
RedRunnertc
11-23-2007, 09:35 AM
Eww, I'm not sure I'd use brake cleaner on the MAF. An electrical cleaner is much safer and not that expensive.
x2
Blowntaco
11-23-2007, 01:10 PM
We use brake cleaner on those all the time with no problems, sometimes electrical cleaner is not strong enough to get it real clean.:2cents:
thefatkid
11-23-2007, 08:20 PM
Certain brake clean can be bad, it can washout the silicon used to protect and insulate the circutboards in the MAF. The region instructor says this at least (Joe). I have never seen a "bad" MAF yet, just different degrees of dirty.
thefatkid
11-23-2007, 08:25 PM
Also there are certain O2 codes that will not degrade O2 performance when warmed up. O2 heater codes are one example, if the O2 heater is open circut it will set a code. The O2 will function normally but it will not get to optimum operating temperature as fast.
What was the Code the autozone pulled? Did you know that anytime they see anything that says O2 or Airfuel, it must be a bad O2 because they have one in stock to sell you?
DelveDS
11-24-2007, 10:39 PM
Yeah I was going to go get a new O2 sensor, but I had to go get my emissions done asap, so I went through my normal routine of cleaning the MAF, smacking out the air filter and then I drove to the Emissions place. But the CEL hasn't come back on yet, so I guess I fixed it... If it comes on again I'll go get the code again. I can't remember what they told me the first time.. Figures, freakin' Autozone trying to steal our money. Most of those folks in there couldn't diagnose a problem to save their life.. Napa for life!
RedRunnertc
11-25-2007, 11:42 AM
Napa for life!
Like Napa is any better?
spindleshanks
11-25-2007, 06:09 PM
THere are two types of brake clean. I've been advised to use the non-chlorinated variety for anything involving rubber or plastic. The chlorinated rubber will attack certain polymers. It'll eat fanbelts right up.
BTW, you assholes cursed me. My CEL appeared over the weekend! lol.
DelveDS
11-25-2007, 08:40 PM
Yeah Napa Non-Chlorinated is the stuff. Sorry to hear about your CEL Spindleshanks. :neener:
spindleshanks
11-26-2007, 06:18 PM
Yeah, I still haven't read the code to see what it is, but I checked my MAF and it was frikkin filthy! So I cleaned it with some CRC. Pulled my FI relay to clear the code, but it didn't clear. Guess i'd better get to AutoZone (***shudder***) and plug in their tester.
DriftinCO
11-27-2007, 06:00 PM
I run K&N filters in four of my five vehicles. The only one I had a MAF problem with was my truck and that was because the duct tape holding the intake tube to the air filter box failed. After I installed the Volant, I've had zero problems with MAF.
Yeah, improper oiling of filters is a problem. I keep a paper filter on hand to put in the air box while the K&N is cleaned and re-oiled.
I never had a problem with mine either, I just wanted to ensure that I never would though. I think I pawned mine off on Motor Mouth.
DelveDS
11-27-2007, 10:54 PM
Wait, what??? My 4Runner never had an oiled air filter as long as I've owned it... for like 2 years... I just have the Fram paper air filter from Autozone. What should I change this out with? That would probably explain why my MAF gets dusty quickly.
RedRunnertc
11-27-2007, 11:21 PM
Fram filters = crap
Start out with a good quality paper filter until you're able to determine why you are getting a CEL.
DelveDS
11-29-2007, 03:01 PM
Well, the CEL hasn't come back on yet... So, I guess it was just a dirty MAF, but the MAF didn't really look dirty when I pulled it out to clean it. But I cleaned it anyway, and somehow that fixed the problem I guess... I'm going to take out the deckplate today and I'll let y'all know how long it takes for the CEL to come back on. DO I have to oil a K&N filter? I have seen them around, I heard that if oiled improperly oiled filters could cause the MAF to get dirty faster from oil blow off from the filter.
DO I have to oil a K&N filter? I have seen them around, I heard that if oiled improperly oiled filters could cause the MAF to get dirty faster from oil blow off from the filter.They probably still come pre-oiled. The oil collects some dirt and that contributes to the filtering effect. I can't think of too many folks that are going to suggest that you get one.
You can do what you wish, but I'm going to suggest that you leave your deckplate in for just a little while longer, say a month. Give it some time, be patient. That CEL I mentioned in the Sienna sometimes won't return for weeks. Wait until January. Did you get an O2 sensor? That's what you were saying the CEL code was indicating.....
DelveDS
12-01-2007, 01:12 AM
I have not bought an O2 sensor yet, that's what Autozone said the code was. I checked the code online and it said it could be an O2 sensor OR a dirty MAF. So I opted for the easiest and cheapest one first. I need to get a new multimeter and test the MAF to see if it's out of specs now that it's clean. The MAF is basically just two open resistors that get hot, air blows across them cooling them down, a signal (the resistance) is sent to the computer to regulate the amount of fuel to add to the system to keep the air fuel ratio correct.
spindleshanks
12-01-2007, 10:33 AM
the MAF sensor sends data based on how much electricity it takes to keep the filament at a certain pre-set temperature. It's brilliant, really.
I still have to figure out why my CEL is on. I haven't scanned for codes yet. I cleaned the MAF, then pulled the FI fuses for several minutes, but it has not reset itself yet.
DelveDS
12-01-2007, 01:30 PM
I cleaned the MAF, then pulled the FI fuses for several minutes, but it has not reset itself yet.
Disconnect the negative battery cable, wait a few seconds, then reconnect. It should reset the computer and the CEL. If I had a code reader I would bring it tonight if I end up coming. I'm supposed to go have a drink later tonight with some really old friends from high school. But I might show up around 6 and stay a bit..
DelveDS
12-01-2007, 01:32 PM
Oh by the way, I remember my CEL coming on when my engine was at idle, and warm, almost every time I can think of... at least that's what I think I remember...
spindleshanks
12-01-2007, 01:37 PM
MIne came on while warming up after an extremely cold start.
I've been advised not to disconnect the battery, because besides the FI data, you're also erasing bunches of other learned data. It can take a while to complete a full OBD II Drive cycle in order for your computer to relearn all those values. Plus I hate resetting my pre-set radio stations...lol.
Checker Auto down the road is gonna check the code for me...I feel so dirty, that place disgusts me.
DelveDS
01-26-2008, 01:58 AM
Ok, just an update, I have had the Deckplate sealed off for about a month and a half now. The CEL did not come on during the 6 weeks. So I can rule out O2 Sensors right?
Almost certainly....in my opinion.
spindleshanks
01-26-2008, 09:24 AM
Holy carp, it's Jade!
Holy carp, it's Jade!Haloed, winged, whiskered fish of greenness!
DelveDS
02-08-2008, 10:19 PM
Ok so here's an update, I spent the 20 bucks to get a new multimeter. Turns out my MAF is reading 28.2 Ohms where it should be reading between 4 and 7... Time to search the junkyards, Yippee!
DriftinCO
02-09-2008, 08:34 AM
Haloed, winged, whiskered fish of greenness!
You stinky slippery devil! Where have you been?
*waves hand in front of nose*
And WHAT have you been eating??
Behind the windshield of the big yellow station wagon....and that'd be the garlic!
DelveDS
04-10-2008, 05:17 AM
I totally forgot about this post.. Turns out it was my MAF and then my TPS went out like half a mile later... figures. So all is in perfect working order
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