Answer to Wet Juice Problems=MAF sesnsor

[thechevyhdman]

I heard from an inside "IGGY" the cause of Juice problems when encountering wet weather. Evidentally their is an updated Air box and Revised MAF sensor for 2002 model trucks, which coincidentally seem to be the only model year affected when the weather is wet or moist. Unfortunatly the person whom found this out, (the hard way) melted a few pistons in their engine after driving while encountering these problems. I will research this problem this week and give you all an answer to this problem. I also read one of the final posts to my original thread (quickly) If I am reiterating what he said Im sorry I just want to let the people encountering problems know before it costs them a new engine. If anyone thinks what I am saying is total BS then please let me know. The person I spoke to a Diesel Specialist emailed me as soon as he read my post. A friend of his encountered the same problem......No SES light and of course only happened while Juice was installed. Yesterday after testing out the wiper "theory" found it not applicable to the problems I was having. Hope this helps everyone out Bill

[sonofagun]

chevy,

Thanks for the info. It doesn't affect 2001 models? Looking for an update when you have it.

Regards,
Bob

[RVGuy]

Funny you should mention this. Last week after the ice melted here in north central Texas, the streets were very wet and puddles all around. While going down the interstate at normal speed the truck simply lost power.

I pumped the go pedal a few times....nothing. The loss of power lasted for about 10 seconds. My speed had dropped from 65 to around 40 mph as I also trying to make my way over to the shoulder while all of this was happening.

About that time, it backfired out the exhaust and started running again...smooth as silk. No hint of a problem since.

[bora]

Is there a TSB on this?
Does the MAF suck in water and get wet. I drove my truck plenty in wet weather and no problems, but I don't have Juice either.

[Brandenburg]

My truck is an 01 and it has the problem. I did however set a P0101 for the first time the other day while cruising on the interstate and it was wet from melting snow, but it didn't act up. So maybe it is a MAF issue.

That is exactly what mine does RVGuy.

[ 03-06-2003: Message edited by: Brandenburg ]</p>

[floridadmax]

I ALSO HAVE A 01 THAT WILL SET CODE PO101 FOR MAF WHEN IT IS RAINING OR HAVE A LOT OF WATER ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT AS FAR AS RUNNING BUT AM WORRIED ABOUT THE PISTON MELTING PROBLEM. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE SAT NIGHT AND WAS RAINING AND IT SES CAME ON, PULLED THE CODE AND IT WAS FOR MAF SENSOR. 3rd RESTART AND LIGHT WENT OUT ON ITS OWN. I HAD JUICE ON #3 RUNNING 83 MPH WHEN IT CAME ON.

[hoot]

You guys are all experiencing the same symtoms I have been having for for over a year. I'm running propane. It does it more when it's cool out like in the morning. Moderate acceleration, poof, she cuts back. If I lighten up on the throttle, she comes back after a few seconds. After she comes back sometimes i can tromp on it with no problems.

Once in a while it triggers SES. Goes away by the next day.

Codes are overboost and MAF.

I have all updates.

I think I'm safe with the piston issue cause I'm not using any ECM manipulator.
Wonder if a 2002 MAF sensor will fix my problem?

[ 03-06-2003: Message edited by: hoot ]</p>

[SwampMonster]

After seeing all of these responses in such a short period of time I am very disturbed. Especially since my Juice is in the mail to me right now. Maybe I should have just gone with the Banks 'Stinger' kit. Oh well. I guess only time will tell.

Lata

[TBC]

I had bought a refurb juice that I had to return because it was bad and eng would not start. When I installed it though, being an aircraft mech, I noticed something disturbing about the connectors. The cables are shorter than they should be and one of the connectors (large one if recall correctly) is in a position with the wire side turned at an angle towards the front. My first reaction was that it could easily get moisture in the connector. It appears there is no sealant on any of the connectors.

I had read about all the problems with the Juice when it rained and that connector got my attention. I believe when I get it back from the dealer that I will spray it will a moisture protector or maybe plastic bag it. You guys might look at the connectors for moisture intrusion.

Tom Cobb

[Oongawah]

I hope I don't catch grief over this but putting all the info together I've come up with a suggestion.

I flat out stormed through mini-ponds, and gutters in the last downpour we had a couple weeks ago waiting for the truck to him-haw and she just ran great. I have the precarious coupler as well. If it were a connector problem, I feel from my experience as an electronic tech that the symptoms would last longer than just a few seconds if not get worse. I think what's happening is moisture is collecting on the honeycomb in front of the MAF sensor, and when it interferes with enough air flow it throws it out of spec, then a few seconds later it clears enough to get going again. Just an observation. Hope it helps, Chuck.

[HoustonDMax]

About the same time I started trying to prove my intermittent wiper theory, I cleaned and re-oiled my Amsoil air filter. While I had the airbox apart, I cut a large triangle in the front of the airbox; previously it had been swiss cheesed. I also did not go back with as much oil on the filter as the previous time, as I had a lot of oil in the bottom of the box, and below the box (went through holes I had drilled in the box previously). This was my first cleaning; previous oiling was Amsoil factory amount. I also have removed the foil covering from the fender when I first swiss cheesed the box.

I wonder if perhaps there is something here to this, and my intermittent wiper theory is just a coincidence? Whichever it is, I have had not had the problem since. As I mentioned in thechevyhdman's other post, I am going back to using intermittent wipers to see what happens.

Looks like we are getting closer. The question now is, what can be done about it if this is indeed the cause of some of our problems, and why does not everyone using Juice experience it?

[Kennedy]

One thing to keep in mind is that if the MAF sensor is getting fouled with water, it NOT related to whether there is a box installed or not...

[GMC D-Max]

I've got an '02 and have not experienced problem 1 with it, and I live in excessively moist western Washington (at least at this time of year). Of course, I don't go fording any streams and such with my rig, but I've got my airbox heavily ventilated and haven't had a problem. Even driving in heavy rain. Am I just one of the lucky ones, or is lightning gonna strike any day now?

[c5dura]

If the issue is indeed with the MAF sensor being fouled by water, then how come the problem goes away when the box is removed?

Is the engine more sensitive to proper MAF readings with a box installed?

[hoot]

------------------------quote ------------
Is the engine more sensitive to proper MAF readings with a box installed?
------------------------------------------

That is a possibility. Higher airflow comes with More Power.

Maybe the ECM is getting some unexpected numbers from these sensors and the only thing it's programmed to do when things don't "add up" is to defuel.

[Rebel_Horseman]

I installed my Juice yesterday. The weather was poor adn it rained (flooded) all afternnon and night. I drove around in all 4 levels with my winpers both on intermittant and off. Never had a problem with it. My airbox is the upgraded kind and I removed the foil splash guard to the fender. The question of the screen in the MAF has me thinking. In my old '01 Z71, my MAF had the mesh screen in it. Never had a problem with it, but one day I removed the screen to get a little more air flow. Didn't cause a problem or anyhting. If the screen is in fact getting water or moisture collecting on it, maybe you can remove it and eliminate the problem. It might also be a good idea to change out to a paper filter and see if that has any impact on the problem.

Reb [&gt;&lt;]

[hoot]

Mine does it with either filter. I cleaned the MAF between trials. It looked clean before I cleaned it.

[Bulldogger]

Hoot, I had a 2001 8.1l that I put the Granatelli MAF on. My truck had 500 miles before the change. If the Maf's are the same for gas and diesel I can send you my stock one if you want to try it and see if that stops tripping the codes. Dave

[hoot]

I don't know if they are the same or not. If someone here confirms it, I'll try that!

[Professor]

The Granatelli replacement is the same sensor. The OEM small block has a screen, Not sure about the OEM 8.1. I have heard of putting the Factory descreened MAF from a Dmax in the LS1s.

I'd sat the 8.1 would work in the Dmax, but may cause a small loss in performance if it is screened. Regardless it may shed a bit of light on the issue.