CAI letting dirt in - effects?

[dabel]

This week my car hasn't liked me. Let me explain.

Every morning the weather has been great, cool, breezy, etc. Apparently, my GTS doesn't like the cold too much (so i though). I'd start, she'd jump to 2k then down to 500, try to die, try to live, and debate whether it's worth continuing for the next minute, all the while never surpassing 600 rpm.

I could live with this. Obviously somehting's out of whack, but I just got my belt tensioner replaced and figured it was a side effect of having a silent tensioner.

Until my check engine like came on during this morning obligatory warming up ritual.

I decide to look into it, apparently a lot of people with CAI's get these things, and now I'm one of the crowd. Everyone suggests resetting the ECU, but it's been a year without trouble and I'm one of those people that needs to know whats going on.

So after finding some info in the forum i decide to look at the MAF myself and realize that, damn, that thing is filthy! I gently clean all the dirt off of it and stick it back in and everything seems to be working fine.


I just did a cold start and the car runs like new.


Obviously I need to clean the air filter on my Injen CAI. But I have a couple questions... what's the best way to clean the CAI then re-oil it without getting oil sucked in (apparently the way it comes stock sucks in a good bit of oil anyway!).

Is it supposed to let dirt in? I dont' think so. I refuse to beleive that this dirt is hurting JUST the MAF sensor. Am I gumming up my injectors? Am I screwing anything up, should i get anything cleaned (or clean it myself?)?

I've still got the CEL light on though, and i'm thinking of eventually doing the battery trick, but someone mentioned the code remains on the computers. Is there any way i can completely reset the code? Will it go away by itself now that the problem is fixed?

To sum up my questions:
good ways to clean the CAI intakes? (are there non-oily disposable alternatives?)
has the dirt that has gotten in damages anything?
is there a "clean" and proper way to reset the CEL?

muchos muchos thanks.

[autxr]

"Clean the CAI filter" Use a K&N filtercharger kit. Even better, I suspect the Injen didn't come with a K&N, get rid of the filter it has, and get a K&N.

If much dirt gets into the engine, the damage will be primarily to the cylinder walls (the dirt shouldn't gum the jinjectors, they have a high flow of fresh clean solvent), only crap in the gas tank will have a big effect on the injectors. Scratched cylinder walls will lead to a loss of compression and increase in oil burning.

Reset the CEL: Pull the battery terminal. I'm sure one or mor fuese would reset it as well, and not mess up the clock and radio, but I don't know what those fuses are.

Scott

[dabel]

hhaahaa... clean that air intake. man i wasn't paying attention.

Yeah, i'll go get a K&N as soon as I can. Good thing is that I haven't been burning any oil yet so it's probably not too late.

I would recommend to EVERYONE with a CAI to check their MAFS. It's day and night difference in the running of the car.

Thanks a lot Scott... it's been a while since i've posted and wasn't sure if you were still scouring the boards; I'm glad you are.

Thanks again

Jaroslav

[autxr]

Yeah, I'm still here pissing off all the ricers...

I'll be heading through Atlanta tomorrow on my way to the Florida Gulf coast (via my dad's place in Mobile). Nice easy drive, I-85 from Durham to Montgomery then I-65 to Mobile. I'll be the stock Carbon blue GTS with the tirerack banner (hell, I even put the stock exhaust back on last night for quiet running). The TRD can drone a bit on roadtrips.

Scott

[Unity112]

Just to clarify, the Injen Cold Air Intake does come with a K&N filter. Just use the recharger kit and you'll be fine. Don't throw it away and get a K&N because that would be very silly of you.

As for cleaning, just go gentle on the amount of oil you apply on the filter. You don't need an exuberant amount. Just lightly spread.

[DaksGT]

Originally posted by autxr
Yeah, I'm still here pissing off all the ricers...

I'll be heading through Atlanta tomorrow on my way to the Florida Gulf coast (via my dad's place in Mobile). Nice easy drive, I-85 from Durham to Montgomery then I-65 to Mobile. I'll be the stock Carbon blue GTS with the tirerack banner (hell, I even put the stock exhaust back on last night for quiet running). The TRD can drone a bit on roadtrips.

Scott
Heheehe pissing of ricers, that's a good one.


You think the TRD is droney you should sit in my car.
The injen however does come with a K&N

[t2000gts]

the injen filter is just a rebadged K&N, much like the TRD :)


someone suggested earlier to use a vaccuum. connect a hose to the intake after you've let the oil sit and soak in on the newly cleaned filter. then use the vaccuum (seal off the opening after you stick it in the intake) and let it run for a minute.

[DaksGT]

Originally posted by t2000gts
the injen filter is just a rebadged K&N, much like the TRD :)


someone suggested earlier to use a vaccuum. connect a hose to the intake after you've let the oil sit and soak in on the newly cleaned filter. then use the vaccuum (seal off the opening after you stick it in the intake) and let it run for a minute.
That was me :D

It works wonders cause th oil gets sucked up in the vacuum. Then my mom bitches about it but oh well.