HELP, new intake

[JoshC]

Alright, i bought a K&N FIPK intake for my wife's 01 5.4. Install went fine, got it put on and did a test drive around the block and man it made a difference that's for sure.

BUT, my wife is really mad because the price of gas shot up and she lost 2 MPG doing the exact drive and exact kind of driving then compared to the stock intake. 2 MPG is a huge loss for something that should be a gain. Please help ASAP!!!

 

[Randy]

Josh,
I can't imagine what would cause a 2mpg "drop" after installing the FIPK unit. I have one on my 5.4L and didn't see any negative results.
Try re-setting the mileage computer and give it a couple of days.
Maybe the spouse is "hot-rodding" around now that she has the new filter unit! LOL

 

[AvroAero]

Your installation correct? Didn't miss any vacume hoses?

 

[pronstar]

Oil from the filter could have contaminated the MAF sensor. It's a bit common when oiled filters are used.

I'd get a can of CRC MAF cleaner at the auto parts store. It'll set you back about $3 and is really easy to use.

 

[JoshC]

Thanks for the response guys

I asked her if she had been hot roddin any and she said no. But this comes from a woman who'd catch some unexpecting fool at a stoplight in here little V6 Escape and smoke them

But i'll check the MAF tonight probably. I didn't add any oil to it, but i know they come pre oiled. Although i handled it and didn't have any residue on my hands??

I didn't miss any hoses, all the ports were plugged. Two breathers up by the throttle body, plug in for the air temp (i think that's what it's called) and a plug in for the MAF.

Any other ideas?

I'm going for exhaust on friday. Ordered the muffler yesterday at the shop. Only thing i could think of is that it would shoot up after the exhaust now that it's breathing and farting better

 

[pronstar]

Make sure you reset your ECU by unplugging your battery for a few minutes...some would also suggest turning the headlight switch on when the battery is disconnected, to help drain residual voltage from the system.

Reset your ECU after the exhaust installation as well.

 

[JoshC]

I called K&N and asked them about it and they said they don't guarentee MPG, only HP. So that was worthless.

 

[JoshC]

Originally posted by pronstar
Make sure you reset your ECU by unplugging your battery for a few minutes...some would also suggest turning the headlight switch on when the battery is disconnected, to help drain residual voltage from the system.

Reset your ECU after the exhaust installation as well.

Good idea.

Well i got a better story from my wife when she got home today. Turns out it's not as bad as she first led on. This evening she said she reset the MPG gauge on the interstate doing about 65 on flat ground and it was getting almost 21, that's about 3.5 MPG better then i got it to hit doing 65 on flat ground at bone stock. Interesting. It was going about 2 MPG better around town too but then she hit some stop and go traffic and it went down hill to about 9 or 10.

So after all that i've kind of came to the conclusion that in stop and go traffic it actually sucks in more air then it needs and causes excess fuel to be burnt but at mid range it seems to be working. Does that sound about right?

 

[ELVATO]

When I got my AFE CAI put in, it seemed to have decreased my MPG by maybe 1 mpg. But then again, the engine sounded awesome when you gunned it, so I did that a bit more than I used to.

Now, with both the CAI and tune in, I'm getting a rather consistant 11.8 mpg mostly city driving. Ever gallon of fuel is getting 11.8 miles of pedal happy usage

 

[pronstar]

It's so dependent on driving style that I wouldn't worry about it.

But I would reset the ECU after each mod.