CAI CEL

[Pivot]

So I've run a Fujita CAI all spring and summer, and had
Some issues with it.

When I first installed it, it threw a CEL right away ("Running Lean at Idle Bank 1"), which I reset, and it stayed off. I changed my filter recently to a Vibrant filter that I got at a local shop, and now it throws a CEL every Saturday morning, like clockwork.

Now, the reason I've got to a Vibrant is that I've had a terrible time with the company and the CAI. The fitment wasn't great and I couldn't keep it on the anti-vibe mount (it's now safety wired to the subframe). Within days, the nuts all worked themselves out. I've been going back and forth for months with Fujita trying to get replacements, but that have not been paragons of customer service, so I didn't want to give them any more money than I have to.

The problem is the car throws a CEL every Saturday morning like clockwork now. It's always the same "lean" code everytime, and I'm not prepared to just ignore the CEL, but it's starting to become a PITA to go to part source every weekend to borrow their reader.

I have half a mind to pull the whole thing out and chuck it in the bin. I'm not sure I could, in good conscience inflict this POS on another 3 owner.

Should a different filter make a difference? Every local car guy I've talked to has said a different filter shouldn't change anything. Pre filter my mileage seems to have spiked too. I ran low 10s/100km and now I'm mid 11s/100km.

I'm frustrated. Any help would be appreciated.

[Thrizzl3]

i had this issue when i installed a corksport SRI in my car though. the intake tubing was larger than the SRI i had before which never gave me any CEL's. Is that intake for 1st gen or 2nd gen?

Cwp_sedan is also having this issue so we are thinking its the PVS (purge valve solenoid) which is acting up.

[cwp_sedan]

Check your hoses, MAF, MAF wires, filter, etc. Make sure EVERYTHING is ok. Start there.

[2zoom]

Check your hoses, MAF, MAF wires, filter, etc. Make sure EVERYTHING is ok. Start there.

I will add also check the seal around the MAF and make sure that it is in good condition (i.e. no rips). Had this happen this past weekend when I was cleaning the intake system and the car gave me a CEL. Had to replace the seal :bang (my own fault). So be carful with it... just saying

[Impressive]

I would check all of your wiring. I had a Ractive SRI and just ended up throwing mine out as it got destroyed through vibrations in the vehicle (now the car throws on-off CELs saying "low intake level"). I've now reached the point where I have given up on any engine modifications on my 3 because these engines are not meant to truly be modified. Unless I swap a turbo into my car, I'll let her run as a semi-fuel efficient car and look forward to modding my next car(either a speed or something with true modding potential).

Just my $0.02.

[Pivot]

Phil, the intake is for a Gen I 2.3L.

I'll give the whole system a once over as soon as hell freezes over the replacement hardware finally arrives from F5. The MAF is currently muffified with aluminum aircraft tape, so I don't think flow through the MAF port is the issue. I'll give it a once over though, and follow up. Thanks.

[standsideways]

02 sensor boys.

If you wanna know what a bad MAF is like, start your car, unclip your maf, and go for a drive.

Maf problems have a bigger effect on the driveability of the car, as the maf tells the computor how much fuel to send for the air it is measuring.

[Rob23]

its probably the maf sensor wires got stretched when installing the intake. this happend to me when i got an intake installed then my car threw cels and randomly idle would drop and almost stall at red lights. so i upgraded to a much better intake, it helped for a bit then started happening again. finally i found out the ground wire is easily stretched or damaged and i got replacement wire and lengthened the ground wire on the maf sensor. never had a problem since.

[soccerboy1491]

its probably the maf sensor wires got stretched when installing the intake. this happend to me when i got an intake installed then my car threw cels and randomly idle would drop and almost stall at red lights. so i upgraded to a much better intake, it helped for a bit then started happening again. finally i found out the ground wire is easily stretched or damaged and i got replacement wire and lengthened the ground wire on the maf sensor. never had a problem since.

+1 on this! when i got my cai instlaled it just stretched the wires shooting the codes and affecting the alternator (which is connceted to the maf when my sho got a wiring chart out) all they did was extend the wires and all was good again :)

[Pivot]

Well, after dealing with Odise at F5air, I kind of, sort of got helped.

Eventually. Sort of.

I did get a proper replacement anti-vibe mount. It must not have been packed with the proper one originally and it spent a fair amount of time safety wired to my subframe. That cut down on the CELs immediately.

After begging and pleading Fujita owners for bolt specs, and a fair amount of trial and error (and being repeatedly told the wrong bolt size by Odise at Fujita), I found replacement bolts for the MAF braze-on. The originals rattled out within days of installation. The new ones (M4x16), aerospace-grade cad-plated this time around) are mounted with washers, lock washers, blue loctite and covered with a chunk of aluminum tape for extra retention.

While reinstalling the hardware, I gave all the wiring and the MAF a quick inspection. All look good. This should kill the CELs once and for all. Updates to come.