Volant Cai Rich Fuel Mixture Problem

[Harvey Halabookie]

I've been following another post on this and decided to post the info here in a new one regarding what I received from the Volant technician.

 

The tech informed me that if the directions are not followed exactly, the check engine light will come on, and, as in my case, throw a DTC for "Rich Fuel Mixture". I copied the directions he emailed me below, which were not incuded with my CAI kit. The tech said that because I did not disconnect the battery during the installation and because I did not replace the OEM MAF O-ring with the Volant one, I am getting the DTC and the truck is running rich.

 

I am going to reinstall the CAI according to the instructions and I'll post the results. I hope this works since I really like the look, quality, and sound of the CAI.

 

 

Installation instructions for part number 153532009 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.2L HD

Remove the negative battery cable

Remove the factory engine cover by pulling straight up

Loosen the clamp holding the factory duct to the throttle body

Loosen the clamp holding the factory duct to the air box

On the left side valve cover pull off the crank case vent line

Remove the two screws holding the factory MAF in and remove the sensor

Remove the factory o-ring and replace it with the new Volant ring

Remove the factory air duct form the engine compartment

Pull up on the factory air box and remove it from the engine compartment

Remove the factory tray mount by removing the 5 10mm bolts

Place the Volant box into factory position and tighten down using the hardware provided

Attach the 4.00 to 3.5in reducer to the filter box adapter and tighten clamp #64

Place the new volant throttle body grommet

Press the Volant duct into the open end of the sleeve and onto the throttle body and tighten the clamps

Attach the 3/8 x 10.5in breather hose onto the valve cover and volant breather hose stem

Attach the factory MAF sensor into the volant duct and tighten down with the hardware provided

Reinstall the engine cover

Reattach the negative battery cable

[Jennabear]

Disconnecting the battery will do nothing as the computer constantly learns. I am interested in seeing how a new o-ring compensates for the changed airflow dynamics. Does the stock o-ring look much different from the Volant one?

[MS3DALE]

Disconnecting the battery will do nothing as the computer constantly learns. I am interested in seeing how a new o-ring compensates for the changed airflow dynamics. Does the stock o-ring look much different from the Volant one?

 

I didn't think disconnecting the battery did anything (IE-Made a difference) And I'm also wondering about the o-ring.

I will be installing a GMPP CAI system on a customers '09 Sierra soon (in anticipation of the Pittsburgh tune meet in April) And they make no mention of disconnecting the battery,nor do they supply a new o-ring for the MAF sensor.

[Stevens03]

I didn't disconnect the battery when I installed my GMPP CAI No issues with mine and quite frankly the first I've ever read that

[Jennabear]

The GMPP is the only intake that we have encountered that doesn't have to be compensated for, as it is designed around the GM MAF.

[Harvey Halabookie]

I agree with you all. I can't see how the battery would affect anything. It has not thrown the DTC in last week though, so I think it may have "learned" to use the new setup.

 

As for the O-ring, the Volant one seems thinner, so I am guessing the MAF will sit lower in the tube.

 

This is what I got from the Volant techs. I will post when I do my "re-installation"!

[Harvey Halabookie]

UPDATE:

 

Ok, so I did the "re-installation" this afternoon. I did notice that with the new thinner O-ring supplied by Volant, the MAF sits deeper in the tube. It actually "pops" into place, with the bottom of the MAF flange against the top of the flange on the tube.

 

I did disconnect the battery like the directions said, but I really think they put it in there for the bozo factor, that someone would have the ignition on and short out the MAF, arc across the positive battery terminal, or something like that. I still don't think it does anything for setting up the computer to learn for increased airflow.

 

I only drove it for about 20 minutes, and so far no DTC. I'll update again soon, but I'll bet I won't get the DTC now because the MAF is sitting where it is supposed to be inside the tube.......keeping my fingers crossed!

[Jennabear]

If the problem is solved, and the MAF is now reading properly, you should have noticed a significant increase in power immediately.

[alaska511]

Thanks! I have one sitting in the garage, waiting for reinstallation. My first attempt failed, as the damn thing didn't fit! After talking to Daniel, it was discovered that the tube was cut incorrectly. I am waiting for my new tube to arrive.

[Jennabear]

I have seen quite a few people with fitment issues, glad they sorted it out for you.

[GPSilverado]

I added one of these to my truck yesterday, and although my tube was cut correctly, and everything seems to fit as designed, I wasn't very impressed by the way the Tube fits onto the throttle body. The gromet just doesn't seem to hold very tightly. In fact, when I first tightened it, I was checking the fit, and actually pulled the tube loose from the throttle boddy by pulling out on the top of the tube. I then replaced it and made sure the clamp was way tighter than those clamps are designed to be, and it now feels a bit more secure, but certainly not as tight as the OEM tube was. Now I now why Jenna says to make sure you check the fit often.

 

Are all CAI tubes this way? If only GM was producing the GMPP CAI kits for the 2009

 

I am happy with the volant overall though. I don't think it helped much with power, if any, but I wasn't expecting much. My Magnaflow cat-back system is supposed to be here tomorrow, and I get the tune by Justin on March 5th, so things are looking up