We have been conducting a variety of tests on our cars here in PHX with different air filters. There have been some inconsistencies with the amount of oil on the air filters supplied to us for the V-Flow. The first round of V-Flow filters had 16 grams of oil, which is a standard amount to be applied to a filter its size. We then made filters with 11 grams of oil, then 9 grams of oil and then 7 grams of oil. We theorize that the oiling process of the air filters can be different from filter to filter due to the oiling application process that is done is both by machine and by man, leaving room for inconsistencies in the amount of oil applied to the filters. IN SOME CASES, this has caused the MAF to stop reading. As others have stated, the MAF's can be cleaned making them able to work correctly. We do not, however, expect our customers to clean the MAF’s with our air filters to make them work properly. We state the fact that you can clean them because many consumers feel that when their MAF throws a code it is “blown” and that means that it is time to buy a new one. In many instances a MAF code does not warrant a MAF replacement.

The V-Flow flows 32% more CFM more air than the stock airbox. This increased air flow is also the reason why our system makes so much power. However, it is important to note that with the increase in airflow, there can also be an increase in the ingestion of oil from the air filter. In addition, there are other variables to look at when trying to pin-point the cause of these MAF malfunctions. You have climate, road conditions, MAF design, age of MAF, etc. that could also lead to the deterioration of the MAF sensors. We have to this day sold over 500 V-Flow units, and have had very few MAF failures reported. These facts are not meant to discount the fact that some of you have had failures, we simply want to suggest that there is an inconsistency that warrants our deeper investigation and constant monitoring of the product.

Our solution: We have designed an oil-less filter that has similar filtration rate as an oiled filter, yet contains no oil. The filter has an additional layer of a synthetic material, which acts as the final layer of protection with the 4 layers of medical grade cotton gauze. The filters can still be cleaned as usual but will not need to be oiled. This filter has undergone testing in the dusty AZ climate and we have found this method of filtration to prevent the MAF from getting contaminated with the oil from the air filter and causing the MAF to stop reading. We have been studying this MAF issue for over a year and we feel that this solution will likely fix the oil related MAF contamination without adverse affects. Over our course of testing on our cars, we found no major increase in MAF malfunctions. It should be pointed out however we do see MAF failures on occasion with stock 996TT’s. During our testing of this particular product, the only increase in MAF related problems occurred in our 750+ HP cars where the airflow passing by the MAF is substantially greater than that of a 450-550 HP car thus increasing the wear and tear on the MAF. The solution to these higher HP cars was the combination of our new oil less filter combined with the stronger 986 MAF.

We at Evolution Motorsports strive to create products that enhance performance without compromise. We realize that all products and new technology have room for improvement and it is through situations like this that we learn to perfect our processes. Any customers who have had a faulty MAF can contact me and I will send them a newly designed air filter. Those who have not had any issues, it is not necessary to change the filter because if there was a problem with your particular filter, it would have already caused a MAF issue. I appreciate your candid feedback, as it gives me the opportunity to continually improve our products and service.

 

Like always, Todd you are a stand up kinda guy. I'm glad that I have not had any of these issues. I have Evo's stage 3 with 5000 miles on my GT2 and It's my daily driver.

P.S. Hey ALEX when are you gonna get some BULL go fast stuff and goodies because there is a Gallardo now in the stable!!!

GT3 is gone =

Gallardo =

 

Todd,
Excellent commentary and thank you. I can see you have spent a good deal of time looking into this and your results and theories appear to be sound. I have wondered if there was a correlation and if there was one, I always thought it was due to oil and nothing else. I have reserved comments and placing blame since I knew you must recognize the "sense" that people were getting and that you would eventually address this issue. It speaks volumes for your integrity, expertise and efforts to stand behind your products. Kudos to you and EVO.

That said, I recently experienced the "hitting the brick wall" effect as I noted in this post https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...&highlight=maf I have not checked my engine off/on MAF sensor voltages yet, but I surmise that it is the MAF from symptomatic descriptions conveyed by others. My thought in my individual case, if I find the MAF voltages to be out of spec, is to clean the MAF sensor and reinstall. I would assume that the oil that contaminated the sensor has been ingested by the engine and I will likely not experience this again, unless I re-oil the filter.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

 

Time for the stage IV or GT640 buddy...

I got some Red Bull for you

 

would the 986 MAF require new programming if the car is already equipped with a software upgrade?

 

Hi. I believe so. The issue is that if the 986 MAF is
stronger, the signal it sends will be different (it is
probably less sensitive to air flow changes), so
whatever is receiving the signal has to be adjusted
to interpret the new lower signal as meaning more
flow than it would have.

Some of the guys with actual knowledge may shoot
this dwon, so hang on....
Joe

 

I have tried it on our GT750/800 upgraded cars and saw no change in the AFR's. We just tried it in our GT700 system and had the same positive results. Others have tried it in some of our stage 3/4 upgraded cars and have reported no adverse affects. I will be conducting my own testing on the dyno on a stock car as well as a stage 2 car and will report back my findings.

 

Todd, that sounds great.

BUT, for us who had our Mafs go out right when the intake was installed and then our installer had to order us a new maf, whats in it for us?

When I ordered my intake and I spoke to you guys prior to ordering, I was told the chance the Maf would go bad due to the cold air is like 1% and chances are when the maf goes bad it could be for a million of reasons.

Well, right at the professional instal of the cold air intake and Stage 1, Poof, my Maf triggered the fault lights. So, I had to order a new maf and pay for instal.

My question is, was in the exclusive class of the 1%ers or was it the cold air intake?

Nobody knows, but I think somebody does!

 

To be honest between EVO myself and the other dealers there have been 500 units sold for the Porsche model. Given that number and the true amount of issues out there one would calculate that number to be very low. Once again the units do not go bad they simply get dirty and can be cleaned. I still have not had an issue nor 97% of the customers I have. I am still running mine without issue. I know I drive more than most on any board. The fact that the MAFs are terrible to begin with does not help the research of bad filter or simply a poor design or bad unit. I have had MAFs bad right out the box. I put one on the other day on a NA 996 (no it didn’t even have an air box) hooked the PST2 to it and it was reading 2 volts. Too high for an idle read. I commend Todd and EVO for coming up with a cure all solution for a question related to the filter/MAF issue. This is even in light that it may or may not be an issue. The lets not chance it attitude cost money and he still did it free on the "what if". Kudos...

 

OK I sent a PM, but perhaps you didn't get it? How do I go about getting the newly designed filter?

 

Todd stand up with his products and we received the top customer servies as usual!

Todd, I've send you PM!!

 

There have been multiple references to cleaning the Mass Air FLow Sensor. I subscribe to this theory and would like to try it. That said, very little and/or conflicting suggestions have been posted regarding the technique and products to use to clean it.

• I recall someone saying not to use brake cleaner.
• I recall someone saying to let it soak in a cup of 50% Simple Gree and 50% water followed by a secondary soak in isopropyl alcohol
• I recall someone saying to electronics cleaner, although not just any electronics cleaner.

I would like to know the specific products and technique to be followed (and I will emphasize....explicitly followed) to clean the Mass Air Flow Sensor. Todd? Stephen?

 

No simple green. The issue is residue on the surface. Cleaners will leave a film which will do nothing. Some brake cleaners might do it, but some will not be aggressive enough and or still leave a film. Two things you can do. Use a circuit board cleaner. The kind that is designed to eat flux. It should dissolve the grime and when dry leaves nothing on the surface. You will want to go to a electronic supply house. Some place that carries solder, braid, diodes etc. Not radio slack. A professional place. Tell them you want AP20 or something similar.

Poor it in a cup to fill the neck of the maf. Place it in the cup for at least 20 minutes. Remove and shack dry. Let sit for 5 minutes to evaporate solvent. Shake again to make sure it is dry. Have at it. I actually just drop them in a cup, take them out when I remember and let them sit for an hour or so while I do other things. Just to make sure I don't have any issues.

 

I have my car in the shop right now for MAF issues. I swapped to the new 986 MAF but still didn't clear the alarms (CEL low MAF volage was cleared, ABS PSM will not clear). I'll report what I learn later today .

 

Thanks Stephen.
I searched the internet for AP20 and couldn't find anything. I tried AP20, AP-20, AP20 electronics cleaner, etc., etc.
Can you provide the name of the mfr and the specific product name is AP20 is an abbreviation?