Alright, I know this subject has been brought up a handful of times but I have a few questions that the last few hours of searching havent answered. I just bought a 2000 SE that just 70k from me putting 160+ miles a day on so reliability is my number one concern. Every car that I have owned in the past 4 years I have put a HAI on and I never had an issue with the MAF. Now I get a Max and this is a pretty big problem it seems amongst the .ORG members. What do you guys think is the root of the problem? Over oiling the filter, Improper install? I just got a brand new Stillen HAI off Ebay for 110.00 and I am anxious to install it but I dont want to have any major issues. It sounds like when the MAF dies, the car dies. I cant have that happen on my commute. Any feedback or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

 

Just be careful handling the MAF, and the other components, but most importantly use your brain.

 

Yeah, I can be clumsy at times. Better do the install when Im not so tired. So do you think that a bad install is to blame? Im just so paranoid. I know that when I install the intake I will be thinking that Im going to have a problem every time I start the car.

 

I just had my MAF replaced and had no (zero) HAI. I won't even consider running a non OEM air filter never mind another air intake altogether! The first thing you should do is find out how much a MAF is going to cost you if it breaks. I've read here on the .org that people are finding them at Courtesyparts.com for $65 if that's the case, buy an extra one and make sure you have it and the tools to replace it if need be? In my case the MAF just died, I just barely got out of having to spend $600+ to get it fixed and I was without my car for a week.

P.S.
I also drive 160 miles per day, UUUUUuuuuuuuggggghhh!

 

Wow...That really bites. My biggest issue is that I dont want to get stranded on the side of the road without a fix. Maybe I should buy a spare MAF and keep it in the glove box.

 

If you need a MAF, Rent a maxima for about 24.95 a day with unlimited miles take, the car home, and swap the MAF.

 

ohhhhhh...naughty naughty naughty

 

And do what, bring the rental back with no MAF?

 

I guess have it towed.

 

give ur max sometime for the ecu to adjust new intake. dun drive too hard in the first week and the ecu will adapt this change.

we still dunno the cause of blown MAF and it's not only happened to the HAI, also PRCAI and ingen and even just stock air box. we know for sure that overoiling K&N is one of the MANY causes.

just keep ur stock air box in the trunk and a copy the TSB.

y2kse had several good discussion about this issue.

 

Are there any good stories out there about intakes? People that have driven them for months or years and never had a problem? It just seems that CAI's and HAI's are very problematic.

BTW, thanks for the ECU advice overdose...

 

my poll on intake popularity

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....&highlight=MAF

y2kse's poll on blown MAF

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....&highlight=MAF


we still dunno the cause....can be the intake, can be the way the intake is mounted, can be nissan's weak design on the MAF sensor.....

and we do have people driving around with supercharger and juiced for years with no problem.

good luck and happy searching

 

Yeah, it scares the crap out of me too. I want the HP, but dang, I can't imagine getting stuck on the side of the road on the way to work. I think I do the CAI from Injen...but not for a while longer. Maybe Nissan will do a MAF recall or something!

 

Ok I'll be the dummy here...whats MAF and HAI stand for?

Ha....200 miles a day...got you all beat...and thats not a good thing

Thats changing soon with my move from the Cape to NH

 

HAI...Hot Air Intake

MAF...Mass Air Flow

 

Wow that is a long ride..Where in NH are you moving to? Are just moved to Maine..

 

anyone else out there with a "positive" HAI story..

 

zoom zoom~~~

 

well, my stillen intake is still sitting in my trunk. I am thinking that if I install it these are the steps I should take:

1. Unplug battery

2. Disconnect the factory airbox from the MAF but leave the MAF installed in the car.

3. Install the HAI to the MAF carefully.

4. Dont drive the car hard for a week so the ECU can re-adjust correctly to the new intake.

What do you guys think?

 

I have had my PRCAI for 4 months and have had no problems.

 

1. No need to unplug the battery.

2. Not a bad idea but these things aren't as delicate as some people would have you believe. I dropped mine on the ground at least once (bare probe out of the tube) and have handled it quite bit. I think most falures are from over oiling (i killed one this way too).

3. Of course.

4. Don't drive the car hard if the new filter is over oiled. The ECU adjusts instantly to its readings. And based on what info it gets back from the MAF it knows right away how much airflow is going into the engine. Install your intake and go drive your car like you stole it.

 

Also if you think it needs a flex section maybe if you get the AEM air bypass valve maybe that will get you some flex. I am thinking of getting one since I live where it snows.