[Johnny D]

Odd situation...

Did the K&N and Charcoal delete this weekend. I know I wouldnt expect any gains, however I didnt expect to feel a loss in power.

Did the work, started the car. Ran just fine. Took off and noticed what felt liks a loss in power. Day two still feel like my car is more sluggish than it was yesterday. Not a huge loss, but maybe 10-15% on the butt dyno. Getting on the interstate use to be in 4th gear and pull just fine, now to get the same feeling it has to be 3rd gear and 1500rpm higher in the revs.

No codes, no warning lights, no issues during install. Stock car minus the work that was done this weekend.

Reset the ECU and see if that helps out?

[kudos]

I still haven't figured out what the point of doing that is.

[fdriller9]

I bet you either damaged your MAF, installed it incorrectly, or didn't reinstall the clamps on the hose correctly, creating a vacuum leak.

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by *********

I bet you either damaged your MAF, installed it incorrectly, or didn't reinstall the clamps on the hose correctly, creating a vacuum leak.

I'd be happy to take you up on this bet if you care to wager...This isnt my first time working on a car. If I damaged the MAF it should throw the SES light or run horribly rough. I didnt install it incorrectly as it was a pretty strait forward and easy mod. Clamps are on and there is no leaking through out the intake.

Im thinking like some other mods the ECU needs to adapt to the change in airflow. Might not happen to everyone, but I think so in my case.

[fdriller9]

Hmmm. Well I have driven my car without a MAF installed and it runs fine minus the loss in power. Basically the car runs on default values but they are tuned down so you don't damage anything.

Give the reset a try. Don't think it will reset all the adaptations but it may help. You need a scan tool for that.

If not, wait it out a few hundred miles so your car adapts. If it still runs horribly, then not sure.

Good luck man.

[CombatNinja]

Something is wrong. Take it all apart and reassemble.

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by *********

Hmmm. Well I have driven my car without a MAF installed and it runs fine minus the loss in power. Basically the car runs on default values but they are tuned down so you don't damage anything.

Give the reset a try. Don't think it will reset all the adaptations but it may help. You need a scan tool for that.

If not, wait it out a few hundred miles so your car adapts. If it still runs horribly, then not sure.

Good luck man.

Interesting to know. I have a friend with an OBD-II tool I will call and see if he wants to do some testing tomorrow AM. Maybe it is a slightly messed up MAF sensor.

Car has 49k miles, it might have been on its way out anyways. I was very carefull in installation to not have an issue.

Ill report back tomorrow AM.

[benzo23]

Try cleaning the MAF with crc's maf cleaner? like everyone else said take apart and re assemble, and MAKE SURE the the back of the box is firmly connected to the intake hose in the back where the clamp is, the bottom side is blind so your just going to have to feel and make sure its. I dont think you should have to reset adaptations at all, i mean all you did was remove the charcoal filter. I didnt notice a difference before or after mine was removed anyways...good luck OP

[Johnny D]

Update: Hooked up the diagnostic tool today. The readings were showing that the MAF sensor was working properly at idle and lower RPMs. When we tested mid to upper RPMs my mechanic friends stated that the data looked off. I removed the airbox and noticed that the MAF sensor was stained pink instead of white/off white color. Looks like the K&N had too much oil on it out of the box. Bought a can of CAC MAF cleaner and reinstalled everything. Its better than it was, not sure if it feels 100% though. I might purchase a new MAF and compare, return it if it’s not the issue.

Lesson learned...Just cause its new in box doesnt mean it doesnt require some prep work. I should have inspected the filter better for excess oil.

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by jntar

Update: Hooked up the diagnostic tool today. The readings were showing that the MAF sensor was working properly at idle and lower RPMs. When we tested mid to upper RPMs my mechanic friends stated that the data looked off. I removed the airbox and noticed that the MAF sensor was stained pink instead of white/off white color. Looks like the K&N had too much oil on it out of the box. Bought a can of CAC MAF cleaner and reinstalled everything. Its better than it was, not sure if it feels 100% though. I might purchase a new MAF and compare, return it if it’s not the issue.

Lesson learned...Just cause its new in box doesnt mean it doesnt require some prep work. I should have inspected the filter better for excess oil.

What about cleaning with the CRC, then resetting ecu with a battery disconnect, would think that would do it.

[benzo23]

I just run the charcoal delete with an OEM paper filter from the dealer...I had a K&N before and dont notice anything...The whole oil and MAF thing makes me nervous, esp when it comes to re oiling

[ECSTuning]

You need to be very careful with the oiled filters. Was your K&N really that wet out of the box?

If you decide to get a new maf we have them here.

James

[Gavin@MMW]

For the future, When you get a K&N - remove it from the plastic, then wrap it in paper towels, and throw it on the ground once on each side. It will eat up the loose oil so this doesn't happen.

Sounds dumb, I know - But its a simple fix

[benzo23]

$255.37 Is a good price for a new oem MAF...I remember with my old K&N i noticed it was pretty soaked in oil out of the box so i took a paper towel to soak some of it up...

[krnboy817]

Originally Posted by Gavin@MMW

For the future, When you get a K&N - remove it from the plastic, then wrap it in paper towels, and throw it on the ground once on each side. It will eat up the loose oil so this doesn't happen.

Sounds dumb, I know - But its a simple fix

or dab it with news paper couple of times works too.

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

What about cleaning with the CRC, then resetting ecu with a battery disconnect, would think that would do it.

I dont believe that resetting the ECU is needed at this point.

Originally Posted by benzo23

I just run the charcoal delete with an OEM paper filter from the dealer...I had a K&N before and dont notice anything...The whole oil and MAF thing makes me nervous, esp when it comes to re oiling

I agree with you there. I still have my stock air filter and it was clean. I may put it back in.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

You need to be very careful with the oiled filters. Was your K&N really that wet out of the box?

If you decide to get a new maf we have them here.

James

The plastic had quite a bit of excess oil on it. I have a K&N in my Silverado with the MAF just after filter and it had no issues. It has 190k miles and I have re-oiled it multiple times. I didnt think the BMW would be as picky about excess oil. Therefor, I didnt do anything other than shake the filter a few times. Ill keep you in mind, but Im not big on waiting on shipping when it comes to parts.

Originally Posted by Gavin@MMW

For the future, When you get a K&N - remove it from the plastic, then wrap it in paper towels, and throw it on the ground once on each side. It will eat up the loose oil so this doesn't happen.

Sounds dumb, I know - But its a simple fix

I did that the first few times on the truck then stoppped. Just started to shake the filter to free the excess. I know now I will be doing that every time I re-oil if the filter stays in the car.

[CombatNinja]

I have seen K&N filters claim far too MAFs over the years. To anyone thinking about getting one, don't. You aren't gaining jack over the stock filter anyway.

[fdriller9]

I have an aFe oiled drop in and I have oiled it a couple times since getting it.

I've been putting 3 layers of paper towels in the housing and installing the reoiled filter over the paper towels. Then I duct taped 2 vacuums to it...central vac and dry/wet vac.

A little bit of oil came out but it wasn't much.

[AlpineSwift]

I dropped my K&N straight in and didn't have this issue. I guess it has something to do with the drier climate here. Might pull my MAF and take a peak at it since its been a while though. I have a feeling my filter needs to be cleaned and re-oiled. Haven't done it since my trip to vegas.

I gained pretty respectable wheel hp with K&N/Charcoal and MD even with the Xi so it's not a worthless mod.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by AlpineSwift

I dropped my K&N straight in and didn't have this issue. I guess it has something to do with the drier climate here. Might pull my MAF and take a peak at it since its been a while though. I have a feeling my filter needs to be cleaned and re-oiled. Haven't done it since my trip to vegas.

I gained pretty respectable wheel hp with K&N/Charcoal and MD even with the Xi so it's not a worthless mod.

Did you notice a loss in torque when you did the muffler delete?

I noticed my car did after I welded on a magnaflow 14815. It pulls aot harder now after 4k though.

[krnboy817]

i believe all k&n comes pre oiled, but i think some have more than others. fi you can find a retail store near you just go and look at few different filters before buying. some you can see the oil all over the plastic cover and some seem like its barely even there.

and when you are re oiling the filter, the old cleaning kit came with a aerosol spray can and you were supposed to spray only up to when the color of the filter is back to pinkish color... then dry... then insert.

the new kit comes with a squeeze bottle like container. and with this you are supposed to just get it across at the exposed ridges on both sides.

i think most people have problem because they seem to over oil the filter or just place it in without thinking twice.

[Johnny D]

I just got back from an hour drive and from what I felt the car is back to normal. I am going to check the MAF sensor once more in another week just to be sure there isn’t even more oil residue build up. I appreciate all the help/ideas that were thrown out.