1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

*HELP* Issues After K&N Install

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DarkShadoz, Aug 8, 2015.

  1. Aug 8, 2015 at 10:39 AM
    #1
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Preface: 2000 Toyota Tacoma 3.4L 4x4 252800 miles - Excellent condition motor and tranny verified by two separate licensed and reputable shops


    I recently (as in yesterday) installed a brand new, to spec, K&N Air Intake system. I have worked on my own cars before for minor work like this before and am very good at sticking to directions. I followed the directions to the 'T'. After final install and everything bolted down tight, the issue is underpowered acceleration. I tested this. I switched back to the original air box + filter. Truck ran just fine with no issues. Put the K&N back on, and same old sluggish, juttering at times (almost like little to no fuel) when pushing pedal near to the floor. Even if I take it easy on the throttle, it still feels underpowered. What gives, K&N?! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO ADD MORE POWER, NOT DETRACT FROM IT!! (+10 awesome points if you get the reference)

    Anyways. I checked, re-checked, and checked again the Vac lines. All are seated properly. MAF sensor seated properly and cleaned prior to install. No engine codes (other than the gas cap code - but that has been there since before install).

    I dunno. Im going to have to get a spray bottle with water and soap and spray it on the vac lines to double check for leaks I guess.

    Any ideas?
     
  2. Aug 8, 2015 at 10:56 AM
    #2
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Forgot to mention. The truck idles high now. It will idle between 1k - 1300.
     
  3. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:01 AM
    #3
    trx125

    trx125 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2011
    Member:
    #63446
    Messages:
    323
    Gender:
    Male
    You may need to reset the ECU. And let it relearn the fuel curve. I installed a K&N on my 3.4 4runner years ago. I had to reset the to get things kosher.
     
  4. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:04 AM
    #4
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Before the install, K&N instructs to disconnect negative on the battery, to which I did. Should this not have reset the ECU? Or is there something additional I need to do?
     
  5. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:08 AM
    #5
    trx125

    trx125 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2011
    Member:
    #63446
    Messages:
    323
    Gender:
    Male
    Nope, that is it! Unhook the battery(both leads) and drain off any residual energy by turning on the ignition after the battery is unhooked.
     
  6. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:10 AM
    #6
    GSHEP4

    GSHEP4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2015
    Member:
    #151470
    Messages:
    84
    Gender:
    Male
    Lehighton, PA
    Vehicle:
    2014 spruce mica sport
    s/c,fluid film, bug shield, window vents, under hood lights, bed lights, tailgate reinforcement, and more.
    If you remove the KN filter, does it run better? Maybe the filter is over oiled and restricting air flow. Just throwing out a thought. Never had issues on any oiled filters I used in the past.
     
    pudge151 likes this.
  7. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:10 AM
    #7
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2007
    Member:
    #1138
    Messages:
    14,338
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Jandy
    Lancaster, PA
    Vehicle:
    2016 GMC Canyon SLT w/ LineX and....
    Give it some time..... When you reset the ECU, It needs time to 'LEARN' these new conditions.

    I've had drop-in filters in an old Tacoma. I've had K&N cold-air intake on a Dodge Ram and never had any issues.
     
  8. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:11 AM
    #8
    pudge151

    pudge151 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Member:
    #34558
    Messages:
    4,066
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra Platinum
    This ^^^
     
  9. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:12 AM
    #9
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    Member:
    #73066
    Messages:
    16,722
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 dcsb trd offroad 4wd
    Sounds like a vac leak
     
  10. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:12 AM
    #10
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Yeah. When I tested it by switching back to the old airbox + filter, it ran fine with no issues.
     
  11. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:13 AM
    #11
    pudge151

    pudge151 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Member:
    #34558
    Messages:
    4,066
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra Platinum
    Try running it with k and n intake but no filter
     
  12. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:13 AM
    #12
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Thats what I was thinking, even though everything is seated properly.. Going to spray some water/soap onto the lines and see if any bubbles form
     
  13. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:16 AM
    #13
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    I thought it may be this, considering after driving around for a few miles it seemed to get better, not by much though. The problem persists after having turned the truck off for the night, too.
     
  14. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:37 AM
    #14
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Ill give this a try. Thanks!
     
  15. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:41 AM
    #15
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    Member:
    #73066
    Messages:
    16,722
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 dcsb trd offroad 4wd
    Use propane to find vac leak
     
  16. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:44 AM
    #16
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    Propane? Why propane? How would I even do that?
     
  17. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:48 AM
    #17
    BadBrains

    BadBrains Spreading the Aloha

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Member:
    #36179
    Messages:
    1,622
    AL
    Vehicle:
    '07 Taco LT, '00 GS-R, '75 C10, '83 CJ-7, '19 T4R SR5
    King, TC +2"LT, 35's, Aluminum this and that.
    If you don't know what you're doing, I wouldn't recommend trying it.

    Propane will get sucked into the vacuum leak and the rpm's will rise.
     
  18. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:50 AM
    #18
    DarkShadoz

    DarkShadoz [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Member:
    #161290
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    Phoenix, Az
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 TRD 3.4L V6 4x4 Manual
    I agree. It sounds promising, but I have never done that before. Water/Soap has always worked great, though!
     
  19. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:51 AM
    #19
    BadBrains

    BadBrains Spreading the Aloha

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Member:
    #36179
    Messages:
    1,622
    AL
    Vehicle:
    '07 Taco LT, '00 GS-R, '75 C10, '83 CJ-7, '19 T4R SR5
    King, TC +2"LT, 35's, Aluminum this and that.
    Soapy water is usually for a pressure leak, vacuums won't blow bubbles.
     
    DarkShadoz[OP] likes this.
  20. Aug 8, 2015 at 11:57 AM
    #20
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    Member:
    #73066
    Messages:
    16,722
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 dcsb trd offroad 4wd
    What he said^^^
     
    DarkShadoz[OP] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top