MAFS question

[spyder9669]

i removed the air box and the mafs and replaced them with a k&n filter. my explorer runs alot smoother but its running rich and blowing somewhat black smoke out of the exhaust. am i ok running it this way or should i not do it?

 

[Brandons]

So you didnt put the MAFS back on? Just a K&N filter in place?

 

[BrooklynBay]

You probably have a CEL without a MAF installed on it. Put back the MAF, and use an adapter for the air filter.

 

[spyder9669]

not sure what that means...i completely removed everything right now its just the intake tube and the k&n filter. the plug that was plugged in to the MAFS is just sitting there right now i put some electrical tape on it so no water would damage it. also it is causing my check engine light to stay on and also the overdrive light on the dash flashes now saying "od off"......

 

[BrooklynBay]

CEL is check engine light. You have to put that MAF back on. Your computer needs it to set the correct air/fuel mixture.

 

[spyder9669]

the reason i originally did it was because i have a very loud horn like noise coming from where the intake goes into the motor, or somewhere in that area. it doesnt do it all the time, usually when its hot out or when i've used the a/c lately. every time i would move the intake around it would change the noise so i knew it had to be something to do with the intake. the noise goes away once you press the gas which is a little odd.

 

[spyder9669]

well i guess what i'm asking is, will my motor blow up if i don't put that maf back on? i'm i'm risking any real damage i will def. put it back on, but with it off, it does run so much smoother and has a nice pick up now.

 

[celly]

Your MAF is a pretty important piece of equipment. As others have said, put it back on. It regulates your air/fuel mixture and without a proper mixture, yes you can damage your engine permanently (at least, that's my understanding).

 

[spyder9669]

alright i'm prolly gonna put it back on, but that doesnt solve my main problem......does anyone know about the loud noise i'm talking about? i have a 95 eddie bauer 4wd v6 if that helps at all.

 

[Brandons]

Its hard to describe a noise... Sometimes what i hear is a loud low pitch hiss from the intake, i believe thats when its idle, since the air doesnt go through the butterfly flap in the TB, instead through the IAC. Other then that i have no idea, definately keep your mafs on, especially if you dont want the gas mileage of a tank..

 

[jwrezz]

PUt the MAF back on. I can't believe any one would think to just take it off. What year is your rig? The noise is prob'ly your IAC (idle air control) valve. A good temp fix is to pull the little black cap off of it. But take the whole thing off and give it a good cleaning soon. It may need to be replaced.

 

[jwrezz]

Oops, see you just posted the year!

 

[BrooklynBay]

I saw in another thread from Dogfriend a link to a small video clip, with audio showing how his IAC was making a howling noise. Sometimes cleaning it will help, but other times it will not. Check the small black cap that is on the side of it. It might have fallen off.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Take a look at this link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153570

 

[celly]

Replacing an IAC is still the best way to go. Assuming the IAC has never been replaced, the original poster has had his on for 11+ years now.

 

[spyder9669]

yea i dont know much about under the hood. i know that most people with hondas have no problem taking their mas off i see it all the time. but i'm sure fords are nothing like a japanese car. i'll see what happens with this valve idea if i can find it. thanks guys.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here is that video clip from Dogfriend: http://homepage.mac.com/dogfriend/Explorer/iMovieTheater14.html

 

[spyder9669]

its trying to make me download itunes to view the video. not something i'm really looking to do.........

 

[spyder9669]

is this article correct?

Dead Link Removed

 

[BrooklynBay]

When I clicked onto Dogfriend's video, it asked me if I wanted to activate active X controls. I clicked yes, and the video started.