PaPa_Brewskey
Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2017
- Posts
- 57
- Reaction score
- 56
- Location
- Gilbert, Arizona
- Ram Year
- 2015
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
Here is a little story about checking things out, after having work done on your truck.
Last month, I had my '15 1500 into the dealer for some warranty work. When I picked up the truck, I got the spiel about how my throttle body was dirty, and I need the injectors cleaned. I declined the service (dealer wanted $395) and the service adviser went on to tell me that if I noticed lag in acceleration, worsening gas mileage, and harder starts, it was all indications of needing the fuel system serviced, and I should bring it back and they'd do it anytime. OK, and I went on my way.
Guess what, I started noticing all of these things happening, and I started to second guess my decision not to have the fuel service done. Maybe it was psychological, you know, just imagining those symptoms the service advisor put in my head. not...
Well the next week, I took the truck on a road trip from AZ to San Diego and back, a trip I do two or three times a year, and I got the worse mileage I've ever had on that trip. I typically get about 19 MPG average on that trip, this time I got about 15. I am also sure, that my acceleration was definitely not what it was before.
So last weekend, I went out to take the throttle body off, and have a look at just how dirty it was, and give it good cleaning I took the air intake tube off, and inspected the MAF sensor, I intended to clean that as well, but then...wait a second, somethin don't quite look right here. I noticed that the MAF was askew about 45 degrees. I grabbed the MAF sensor plug on the outside of the air intake tube, and gave it a little jiggle and a little clockwise twist, and low and behold it locked right into place. I thought to my self, I'll be damned, could this be the culprit? Well I went ahead and pushed the TB butterfly open an took a look down throat with my inspection camera, to my surprise that thing was shiny and showed just a little but of carbon build up, nothing at all like I was expecting. To hell with it, I put everything back together, fired the truck up, and headed out for a test drive. Sure enough, acceleration was back, and all this week, the truck started right up with no hesitation. I'm assuming that my mileage will be back to normal now as well. I filled up today, so I'll know for sure next week.
Now boys and girls, I'm not saying the tech at this dealership gave the MAF a little twist on purpose, but I am a little miffed that it was left askew. If he did in fact take the air tunnel off to inspect the throttle body, like the service advisor said he did, I suppose it could have incidentally turned, IDK. I'm just saying its all a little bit on the coincidental side, and by coincidental, I mean shady. I mean, the exact symptoms described by the service advisor?
So, sorry if I've rambled on, I'm passing on this little tip, if you are suddenly having acceleration, starting, or mileage issues after having your truck serviced, it might be worth giving this simple little item a check.
Lesson learned!
Last month, I had my '15 1500 into the dealer for some warranty work. When I picked up the truck, I got the spiel about how my throttle body was dirty, and I need the injectors cleaned. I declined the service (dealer wanted $395) and the service adviser went on to tell me that if I noticed lag in acceleration, worsening gas mileage, and harder starts, it was all indications of needing the fuel system serviced, and I should bring it back and they'd do it anytime. OK, and I went on my way.
Guess what, I started noticing all of these things happening, and I started to second guess my decision not to have the fuel service done. Maybe it was psychological, you know, just imagining those symptoms the service advisor put in my head. not...
Well the next week, I took the truck on a road trip from AZ to San Diego and back, a trip I do two or three times a year, and I got the worse mileage I've ever had on that trip. I typically get about 19 MPG average on that trip, this time I got about 15. I am also sure, that my acceleration was definitely not what it was before.
So last weekend, I went out to take the throttle body off, and have a look at just how dirty it was, and give it good cleaning I took the air intake tube off, and inspected the MAF sensor, I intended to clean that as well, but then...wait a second, somethin don't quite look right here. I noticed that the MAF was askew about 45 degrees. I grabbed the MAF sensor plug on the outside of the air intake tube, and gave it a little jiggle and a little clockwise twist, and low and behold it locked right into place. I thought to my self, I'll be damned, could this be the culprit? Well I went ahead and pushed the TB butterfly open an took a look down throat with my inspection camera, to my surprise that thing was shiny and showed just a little but of carbon build up, nothing at all like I was expecting. To hell with it, I put everything back together, fired the truck up, and headed out for a test drive. Sure enough, acceleration was back, and all this week, the truck started right up with no hesitation. I'm assuming that my mileage will be back to normal now as well. I filled up today, so I'll know for sure next week.
Now boys and girls, I'm not saying the tech at this dealership gave the MAF a little twist on purpose, but I am a little miffed that it was left askew. If he did in fact take the air tunnel off to inspect the throttle body, like the service advisor said he did, I suppose it could have incidentally turned, IDK. I'm just saying its all a little bit on the coincidental side, and by coincidental, I mean shady. I mean, the exact symptoms described by the service advisor?
So, sorry if I've rambled on, I'm passing on this little tip, if you are suddenly having acceleration, starting, or mileage issues after having your truck serviced, it might be worth giving this simple little item a check.
Lesson learned!