Just cleaned my K&N and now it runs like crap?!

[Sallad420]

Hi all,

The other night I cleaned my K&N from my X (it was pretty bad). So after I cleaned it, I noticed the truck would idle rough and feel like it's only a 4 banger. I thought at first it was because of the increase in airflow (cleaner=less restriction) was messing with the ECU, so I unplugged the batt. for about 30 mins and restarted it. It's a little better, but still idles rough and has lack of power until about 3000 rpm.

All I did was pull the filter and clean it. (which I've done a multiple times before) I looked in the general area for anything that I could have knocked loose, but all wires are still plugged in.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[00XLS]

Maybe to much oil on the MAF? I'd clean that off for good measure anyways

 

[Rhett]

Make sure the filter is securely attached to the intake tube; if it's loose you could have the problem you described from air leakage. Also, after cleaning an oiled filter, its a good idea to ALSO CLEAN THE MASS AIR SENSOR FILAMENT, because even if you don't over-oil the filter, some of the new oil can fly into the MAF, dirtying the filament. I'd make sure the filter was secure, and get some electrical contact cleaner spray or some O2 safe TB cleaner and see what that does.

 

[sploder92]

UH, try this

check for vacuum leaks and the possibility that you unplugged something electrical in the area

too much air into the engine can do that if it's not going through the MAF sensor first

my educated guess is: I would think you have a vacuum or intake leak, very easy to overlook

good luck,
let me know what you find (on this thread)

 

[Rhett]

my educated guess is that his MAF is dirty or there's an air leak, both are 5 minute fixes

 

[MONMIX]

my educated guess is that his MAF is dirty or there's an air leak, both are 5 minute fixes

Yup.
I am gonna say the same.
I have heard a thousand stories about over oiling the filter and reaking havoc on the MAS

 

[spindlecone]

If a conical filter, try this next time you oil it, or do it now.
If the filter media is reddish in color, you have enough oil, but most people over oil (more is better right?)
Just stuff a few wads of crumpled newspaper in the cone, pack it in, let set an hour or so, you will be amazed the amt of excess oil the paper will wick out.
And clean your MAF

 

[Sallad420]

Thanks everyone for your input... I clean ed the MAS, but nothing. It helped a little but nothing major. It has been giving me a CEL of "bank one O2 Sensor", so maybe the sensor finally crapped out, and it crapped out at the same time I changed the filter... I dunno?!? Now when I floor it I get a flashing CEL for a few mins. (searching on that)

I'm going to try to get the O2 sensors changed next. From my research It needs either 2 or 3. How can I tell? It's an '96 XL 4WD 4 Dr. (4.0 OHV)

Also maybe clogged fuel filter(s)?

Thanks again guys.

 

[DeRocha]

I would try running the truck with the air filter removed (first use a leaf blower to blow out the engine compartment). This will let you know if the filter is badly clogged.

 

[tmh6202]

Thanks everyone for your input... I clean ed the MAS, but nothing. It helped a little but nothing major. It has been giving me a CEL of "bank one O2 Sensor", so maybe the sensor finally crapped out, and it crapped out at the same time I changed the filter... I dunno?!? Now when I floor it I get a flashing CEL for a few mins. (searching on that)

I'm going to try to get the O2 sensors changed next. From my research It needs either 2 or 3. How can I tell? It's an '96 XL 4WD 4 Dr. (4.0 OHV)

Also maybe clogged fuel filter(s)?

Thanks again guys.

4 sensors, 2 upstream and 2 down stream on the SOHC, I think the OHV is only three. Do you have the actual codes it is pulling? I experienced the same situation, Bank 1 Lean, Bank 2 Lean, I posted a thread here "OEM vs Aftermarket O2 Sensors". You might benefit by reading it, the responses I got were varied, but, in the end, my O2 sensors were probably fine, although I have two new downstreams, two days later my CES was back on. Flashed a couple of times one day also.

I ended up replacing my lower intake manifold o-rings, and the upper to lower manifold o-rings/gaskets last weekend. The engine idles better, has more pick up, makes much less noise than prior to replacement, it seems to be getting abit better gas mileage, and best of all, that pesky CES is not glaring at me everytime I drive the vehicle.

I am told that you can re-torque the lower intake bolts, but, you have to remove everything above it to get to the bolts. So my advice, if you have anywhere close to 100k miles, do the o-ring replacement. Mine were hard as rocks and very brittle and there was oil blow by into the block. The job took me about three hours. It was not nearly as diffifcult as I thought it would be.

Good Luck.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

You may just need a new MAFS. Getting oil, debris, and other stuff on the strans of a MAFS is NOT good at all. Try to find someone else with a SOHC explorer and swap MAFS just to test it.

-Drew

 

[TheJMan]

If you have a flashing CEL, pull the codes and get that fixed ASAP. A flashing CEL means the engine is misfiring, which can destroy the cats in a hurry. Check the condition of your plugs and wires, definitely replace them if they are old or you don't remember the last time you changed them.