Cold Air Intake Problems (Engine Choking?)
12-27-2009, 10:42 PM
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Cold Air Intake Problems (Engine Choking?)
I just finished installing a custom CAI that I built tonight from Spectre Performance with a K&N air filter. The MAF adapter worked perfectly and everything fit tight. I unplugged the battery for a minute (I counted it out) and then plugged it back in. When I started the car it started right up, but then started stuttering like it was out of gas (I have a full tank).
I unplugged the battery again and waited longer to give the computer time to reset and tried again....same thing. I pulled everything out and reinstalled the factory intake and the engine runs like normal. Any ideas on what may be the problem?
I unplugged the battery again and waited longer to give the computer time to reset and tried again....same thing. I pulled everything out and reinstalled the factory intake and the engine runs like normal. Any ideas on what may be the problem?
12-27-2009, 10:51 PM
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The holes for the screws only line up in the correct position. I thought that too, but I tried flipping it and I couldn't get it to work. I also checked it compared to the stock position and they are the same.
12-27-2009, 10:56 PM
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Did you make sure you have it clamped good to the throttle body? or make sure if any air was leaking out of the plastic pipes? Also did you get the spectre adapter for the MAF for a for sure good fit. Any air at all leaking out will cause your car to "sputter"
12-27-2009, 11:07 PM
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I have the pipe attached firmly to the TB and I bought the MAF adapter that Spectre recommends for my vehicle and it fit perfectly. All the screw holes lined up and everything was tight there. My vacuum line was on both ends, but I had to use some different hose since the stock hose was too short. The ID was smaller than the stock hose so I had both ends on about 1/2" just for testing. I assumed that the lines would be tight enough, but it's possible they weren't. I wasn't able to check for leaks because I had to shut the car off. It sounded really really bad.
So one possibility is that the vacuum line may be leaking. I'll be able to buy the correct size hose tomorrow when NAPA opens. Any other possible causes or is that the most likely?
So one possibility is that the vacuum line may be leaking. I'll be able to buy the correct size hose tomorrow when NAPA opens. Any other possible causes or is that the most likely?
12-27-2009, 11:14 PM
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nope the only reason why it is sputtering bad and sounds like it's about to stall is because there is some kind of air leak coming from some where. So you have you MAF pointing sideways so the sensors are facing the airflow because that might cause sputter as well. I wish spectre would make good quality pipes instead of there crappy plastings tubes. Should of saved a little bit longer and went with Injen. =)
12-27-2009, 11:24 PM
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I'm going to buy a new vacuum hose and check all the joints for leaks just to make sure. I agree on the plastic tubing, but I was on a budget and my local AAP had a special so I couldn't say no.
12-31-2009, 09:00 AM
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I made some modifications last night. I bought some longer length vacuum hose and attached it firmly. I made sure all the joints were flush and attached firmly and that the MAF was on tight with no leaks....car still is going into limp mode. I started it up and tried to give it a little gas and it wouldn't go above 1.5k rpms. The tach would flip around a little but there was no power.
I was able to get out of the car this time and listen to the engine run and I wasn't able to hear any hissing noises that would indicate a major leak. I'm thinking the hole I drilled for the vacuum line adapter may be causing the problem. It was a little to big so I made a temporary seal around it with some silicone just to prevent any air leaks. Perhaps air is still leaking out somehow.
I'm at a loss on how to fix this. Everything felt tight last night and I was sure it was going to work. Is it possible that my car just doesn't like a CAI!?
I was able to get out of the car this time and listen to the engine run and I wasn't able to hear any hissing noises that would indicate a major leak. I'm thinking the hole I drilled for the vacuum line adapter may be causing the problem. It was a little to big so I made a temporary seal around it with some silicone just to prevent any air leaks. Perhaps air is still leaking out somehow.
I'm at a loss on how to fix this. Everything felt tight last night and I was sure it was going to work. Is it possible that my car just doesn't like a CAI!?
12-31-2009, 10:51 AM
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My MAF should be ok. I reinstalled the factory intake and everything is running fine. I'm going to take everything apart this weekend and rebuild my intake. I'll post results soon.
12-31-2009, 06:27 PM
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Good question.
Sidenote, Idol should be the same unless there is a leak on the manifold side of the TB(which I assume you didnt touch). You should be able to start the car with no intake and rev up to 2.5k with just slight hesitation since MAF is disconnected. One thing you could try is just unplugging the MAF with everything still on, starting it(and yes it will start) and seeing if it has the same symptoms, in that case you know it is in direct corrolation to the maf. I.E. there may be something blocking the maf, it may not be in all the way,ect.
Sidenote, Idol should be the same unless there is a leak on the manifold side of the TB(which I assume you didnt touch). You should be able to start the car with no intake and rev up to 2.5k with just slight hesitation since MAF is disconnected. One thing you could try is just unplugging the MAF with everything still on, starting it(and yes it will start) and seeing if it has the same symptoms, in that case you know it is in direct corrolation to the maf. I.E. there may be something blocking the maf, it may not be in all the way,ect.
01-04-2010, 10:06 AM
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I do not.
I'm going to try playing around with the intake again tonight. My strut tower is in so I have an excuse to play around in the garage. It's been so cold out that I haven't had the motivation to work on it. I'll update on the testing with the MAF unplugged.
I'm going to try playing around with the intake again tonight. My strut tower is in so I have an excuse to play around in the garage. It's been so cold out that I haven't had the motivation to work on it. I'll update on the testing with the MAF unplugged.
01-04-2010, 09:52 PM
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Now that it is cold out, anyone have their Injen CAI throw codes?
It is 'the' only intake I am considering for the Cobalt.
The wife's Sunfire has an AEM and it is absolutely wonderful, but is of course the throttle cable version Ecotec and the intake sensor is different. Never one code. It is cold out and it runs like a champ.
I have heard some people with codes on other intakes.
Injen makes it clear they custom tuned their intake knowing the Cobalt's unique requirement for incoming air can throw codes and made theirs so it wont. That is something I value. But I always want to hear from as many owners of the Injen before putting up $230. Especially in this horrible economy.
Anyone's mpg go up from their CAI?
The Sunfire is only getting 28-29 mpg which is worse than it was stock.
That is average MPG, and not romping on it.
Romping on it gives it sometimes a 26mpg economy, which stinks.
I just recently put new O2 sensors on the Sunfire, and it only went up 1MPG, lame.
So basically a few weeks ago everything above was less 1mpg for average and romping on it.
It is 'the' only intake I am considering for the Cobalt.
The wife's Sunfire has an AEM and it is absolutely wonderful, but is of course the throttle cable version Ecotec and the intake sensor is different. Never one code. It is cold out and it runs like a champ.
I have heard some people with codes on other intakes.
Injen makes it clear they custom tuned their intake knowing the Cobalt's unique requirement for incoming air can throw codes and made theirs so it wont. That is something I value. But I always want to hear from as many owners of the Injen before putting up $230. Especially in this horrible economy.
Anyone's mpg go up from their CAI?
The Sunfire is only getting 28-29 mpg which is worse than it was stock.
That is average MPG, and not romping on it.
Romping on it gives it sometimes a 26mpg economy, which stinks.
I just recently put new O2 sensors on the Sunfire, and it only went up 1MPG, lame.
So basically a few weeks ago everything above was less 1mpg for average and romping on it.
01-05-2010, 01:41 PM
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Now that it is cold out, anyone have their Injen CAI throw codes?
It is 'the' only intake I am considering for the Cobalt.
The wife's Sunfire has an AEM and it is absolutely wonderful, but is of course the throttle cable version Ecotec and the intake sensor is different. Never one code. It is cold out and it runs like a champ.
I have heard some people with codes on other intakes.
Injen makes it clear they custom tuned their intake knowing the Cobalt's unique requirement for incoming air can throw codes and made theirs so it wont. That is something I value. But I always want to hear from as many owners of the Injen before putting up $230. Especially in this horrible economy.
Anyone's mpg go up from their CAI?
The Sunfire is only getting 28-29 mpg which is worse than it was stock.
That is average MPG, and not romping on it.
Romping on it gives it sometimes a 26mpg economy, which stinks.
I just recently put new O2 sensors on the Sunfire, and it only went up 1MPG, lame.
So basically a few weeks ago everything above was less 1mpg for average and romping on it.
It is 'the' only intake I am considering for the Cobalt.
The wife's Sunfire has an AEM and it is absolutely wonderful, but is of course the throttle cable version Ecotec and the intake sensor is different. Never one code. It is cold out and it runs like a champ.
I have heard some people with codes on other intakes.
Injen makes it clear they custom tuned their intake knowing the Cobalt's unique requirement for incoming air can throw codes and made theirs so it wont. That is something I value. But I always want to hear from as many owners of the Injen before putting up $230. Especially in this horrible economy.
Anyone's mpg go up from their CAI?
The Sunfire is only getting 28-29 mpg which is worse than it was stock.
That is average MPG, and not romping on it.
Romping on it gives it sometimes a 26mpg economy, which stinks.
I just recently put new O2 sensors on the Sunfire, and it only went up 1MPG, lame.
So basically a few weeks ago everything above was less 1mpg for average and romping on it.
That said, I have no codes so far (daily highs of 16-28F lately, wind chills around 0-20). It actually seemed to pull best on a cold dry day when things were hanging around 40F and sounded awesome then too. It really made my car love that cold air once the car itself warmed up.
no worries on Injen if you ask me....happy purchase there.
