Check engine light
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 12
From: Tulsa
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Check engine light
After I bought the 05 vette, I had engine code 171 and 174 pop up (bought a reader when check engine light came on). I read a thread that said to clean the MAF. It was really dirty, but cleaned up really good. Check engine light went out..... for a while. The same code popped up, saying each bank is running lean, but I smell gas like it's extremely rich. The light was coming on only when accelerating quickly and then going out after a while. Then it would come on out of the blue. (No gas smell) but I smell that rich gas smell once in a while.
any other ideas? Could the MAF get that dirty in a month?
Any ideas?
HELP
any other ideas? Could the MAF get that dirty in a month?
Any ideas?
HELP
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 398
Likes: 79
From: Northeast PA
As BadAV says, an air leak into any part of the intake system will cause the issue described. One easy thing to try is to disconnect the MAF electrical connection while it's idling... if it keeps running, the MAF is bad... if it stalls out, that at least you can rule out MAF as cause of the problem. Get your screw/nut drivers & go over all of the intake tubes & throttle body clamps & make sure they're secured. If you still get the rich condition/gas smell you'll have to somehow check the intake manifold-to-head interfaces for an air leak there...there's YouTubes on how to do that (unlit propane torch was one) . And you only smell gas when driving, correct? Not when it's parked in garage? (that's another big issue) And, what's your gas mileage like... that would go down with an intake air leak...
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 15
From: Columbus IN
After I bought the 05 vette, I had engine code 171 and 174 pop up (bought a reader when check engine light came on). I read a thread that said to clean the MAF. It was really dirty, but cleaned up really good. Check engine light went out..... for a while. The same code popped up, saying each bank is running lean, but I smell gas like it's extremely rich. The light was coming on only when accelerating quickly and then going out after a while. Then it would come on out of the blue. (No gas smell) but I smell that rich gas smell once in a while.
any other ideas? Could the MAF get that dirty in a month?
Any ideas?
HELP
any other ideas? Could the MAF get that dirty in a month?
Any ideas?
HELP
I ended up finding the air filter issue from this thread. This thread doesn't specifically say that the problem is a K&N but it does lead to looking at air flow around the air filter - and this is when I discovered the issue with my car. One poster does mention he started getting these codes after installing an aftermarket cold air filter - also there is a link to GM service bulletin that gives another option to look at.
Hope this helps.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-04-040-a.html
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 12
From: Tulsa
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
As BadAV says, an air leak into any part of the intake system will cause the issue described. One easy thing to try is to disconnect the MAF electrical connection while it's idling... if it keeps running, the MAF is bad... if it stalls out, that at least you can rule out MAF as cause of the problem. Get your screw/nut drivers & go over all of the intake tubes & throttle body clamps & make sure they're secured. If you still get the rich condition/gas smell you'll have to somehow check the intake manifold-to-head interfaces for an air leak there...there's YouTubes on how to do that (unlit propane torch was one) . And you only smell gas when driving, correct? Not when it's parked in garage? (that's another big issue) And, what's your gas mileage like... that would go down with an intake air leak...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
In late 2007, my purchased 2008 had the CEL come on and the lean codes recorded. My dealer couldn’t find an issue, reset the codes and sent me on my way, not once but three times. About that time, Bowling Green sent me a satisfaction survey and I registered my frustration. Shortly there after, I got a call from the factory and the engineers quizzed me about my issues. Their solution was two fold: 1) change fuel brands and 2) tape the seam at the bottom of the air intake as well as the holes open in the front bumper assembly using some metal, air conditioner tape. Their theory was disruption of the stock air flow was the problem. I did as instructed, reset the system and drove the car. That was over 12 years ago and I have never had the issue since. Like many things with the C6, a small issue can cause a major headache (ie: batteries!) but there are simple solutions in many cases.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
5yrs? Yea, ok.
FYI, my $.02.
On my previous '08 with 100k+ miles, I got a code that indicated a maf problem. A good spray with maf cleaner worked, for 1400 miles. I cleaned it again, and the car ran good again.
But, knowing that everything wears out eventually, and that my maf might be getting towards the end of it's life, I installed a new one. Still running well 20k miles later (I know the present owner).
A OEM sensor is fairly cheap and easy to install, so if yours is questionable, just change it.
FYI, my $.02.
On my previous '08 with 100k+ miles, I got a code that indicated a maf problem. A good spray with maf cleaner worked, for 1400 miles. I cleaned it again, and the car ran good again.
But, knowing that everything wears out eventually, and that my maf might be getting towards the end of it's life, I installed a new one. Still running well 20k miles later (I know the present owner).
A OEM sensor is fairly cheap and easy to install, so if yours is questionable, just change it.