Whis Is My Air Filter Causeing Acceleration Problems?

[jdzacheis]

Hey All!
Let me tell the situation. A while ago, my aftermarket air intake fell off. I would guess that it was off for about two weeks before I discovered it so I put it back on. Here is what is happening:

Slowly rev engine: it is normal can rev to the rev limiter.
Medium slow rev engine: Engine stutters but can rev to rev limiter.
Medium rev engine: Engine stutters more and can rev only to about 5-6k rpm.
Wide Open: Engine stutters a lot, can rev only to 4k rpm and bounces from 3.5-4k rpm.

Keep in mind this happens only with the air filter on. If I remove it, engine preforms normally. Also keep in mind that these issues happen if I am parked in neutral or driving.

My first guess was the air filter was clogged. So I took it off, cleaned it, and even removed the heat shield around it; this made no change.

My second guess, the ECU remapped itself while the air filter was off before I discovered it and the new mapping doesn't like the new airflow caused by the filter. So I disconnected the battery overnight to reset the ECU. This made no change, I'm out of ideas.

Any suggestions, ideas, hints, helpful comments are welcome and appreciated.

[govenader]

If the ECU did remap itself, put the filter back on and just reset the ECU.

[INFAMOUS_GT]

clean the MAF and reset the ecu? then drive it around gently/normally while it re-learns..

[jdzacheis]

Originally Posted by govenader

If the ECU did remap itself, put the filter back on and just reset the ECU.

I did put the filter back on, and reset the ECU. I disconnected the battery overnight. Next morning, reconnected the ECU, put the filter back on and started the car and drove it around, made no change.

[jdzacheis]

Originally Posted by INFAMOUS_GT

clean the MAF and reset the ecu? then drive it around gently/normally while it re-learns..

Well I didn't clean the MAF, just because the vehicle runs fine without the filter which indicates to me the this issue wouldn't be caused by the MAF. If the MAF was malfunctioning or just broken the filter being on or off wouldn't make any difference. I could be wrong though. I am hesitant to clean it as I have heard that cleaning ours doesn't really do shit for it.

I did reset the ECU though. The same problem still happens.

[2KGTS]

Have you inspected the filter closely? It may be damaged/dirty to the point it needs cleaned/replaced. Are your hoses hooked up correctly to your intake?

[jdzacheis]

Originally Posted by 2KGTS

Have you inspected the filter closely? It may be damaged/dirty to the point it needs cleaned/replaced. Are your hoses hooked up correctly to your intake?

Ye, my first thought was it was the filter, I did take it off and cleaned it with a recharge kit. I didn't notice any damage to it and tbh it wasn't really that dirty on account of the heat shield that I took off it (problem occurred before I took it off).

All of the hoses, MAF and such are connected properly.

[jdzacheis]

Ok, here is an update on the situation. I put the air filter back on, and reset the battery a few days ago. I've been driving it around, nice and gentle like. At first, it was embarrassing cause I was accelerating like sh*t. So I took it on a few short highway trips over a couple of days along with driving it around town, i.e. 25-40 mph with stoplights/signs and such.
It seems to be running much better now except when I have it at wide open throttle (still bogs and won't go over 4k RPM), but other than that it seems to be running strong. So as it turns out, it was the ECU mapping set to the engine having the air filter off and that the ECU reset didn't help, just had to drive it around a bit.

[brianv3ntura]

just a question...is your filter an oiled or dry filter? over oiling can result in problems.

[jdzacheis]

Originally Posted by brianv3ntura

just a question...is your filter an oiled or dry filter? over oiling can result in problems.

It's dry.

[govenader]

Originally Posted by jdzacheis

I am hesitant to clean it as I have heard that cleaning ours doesn't really do shit for it.

Just FYI, when I cleaned mine correctly (Q-tipping the little
wires) it solved my p0172 as well as my bogging/hesitation issues.

[jdzacheis]

Originally Posted by govenader

Just FYI, when I cleaned mine correctly (Q-tipping the little
wires) it solved my p0172 as well as my bogging/hesitation issues.

Thanks, glad it worked out. My MAF wasn't the issue though, as it turns out it was that the ECU re-mapped itself for the air filter off. Drove it around a bit with the filter back on and the issue is gone, except it still doesn't like WOT, but working on giving it some WOT practice >=D

[Koolsilver]

I would still definitely clean your MAF if anything else you will probably gain a few HP and maybe better MPG. Only takes like 5mins.

[bbedward]

el cheapo filter?

[govenader]

Hope you completely fix this problem!

[Joey03_VVT-I]

-Good luck Whis the problem!