The other day I decided to descreen my Mass Airflow Sensor like most of you have done. I also ended up installing new spark plugs. In hindsight, I wish I would have done each on seperate days, because now Im getting 2 miles per gallon LESS on the interstate. I dont know if its because I switched to a different style spark plug or because I descreened the MAF sensor. I also heard from someone that the MAF sensor's screen is in there for a reason-it stabilizes the incoming airflow for the engine. The plugs I put in are E3 Diamondfires instead of the factory AC Delco Iridium plugs. They claim to be "high performance" and they guarantee better MPGs, HP, and longer engine life. If a spark plug or wire was loose or broken would that create this problem? or would it throw a trouble code? Should I spend the time and effort swapping the plugs again or should I fork out the $300 for Granatelli's Performance MAF sensor??? What do you guys think?

 

I have heard of those E3 plugs before. Aren't those the ones with 3 posts instead of 1? You definitely should never run a different spark plug than what is supposed to be in there from the factory. Take em out and see if you can swap them for the factory iridium plugs. Both the shop I worked at and the shop I work in now, I've heard those aftermarket "high performance" so called plugs are a never ending source of gravy for technicians.

As for the MAF descreening, nobody has noticed a mpg decrease after that mod nor any issues, to include myself. Definitely replace your spark plugs and see if that fixed the problem. It should.

 

Yeah, thats kinda what i figured. I got taken by a sales gimmick and bought those plugs instead of the factory ones. I will go back to Advance and try to get an exhange. hmmmm.... I think i threw away all the packaging tho.....crap

thanks

 

They'll still take them back. They can't resell them anyway. Tell them you were fed some bull crap by one of the sells guys and they didn't work in your truck like they were advertised and gaurentee they'll take em back! If they try to give you some crap about why they won't just pitch a fit for a second and keep telling them the same line.... works for me. I've taken back all kind of crap at my Advance Auto. Then again I've spent a couple grand in there so I'm sure they're glad to keep me satisfied, LOL!

 

lol, i will give that a try and get some delcos instead, although Im not very excited about doing that wrenching all over again. I know there have been other posts about this but.... do you think i should try to get some better wires while im at it?

 

I use Bosch wires and never had a problem with them along with Irridium plugs from them.

 

John - before you do all that, try cleaning your Maf sensor You may have gotten it dirty while descreening it which would cause a decrease in milage.

 

Just gently wipe it with a cloth? arent those things really fragile?

 

There is a special MAF cleaner that you use.

 

As for the plug wires, you will not see any noticeable difference in the high performance wires. There is no dyno provable gain in them. The real gain would be to switch to a full high performance ignition system. That is really the only purpose for having those wires is if you had an MSD ignition module and MSD coils hooked up. If you were running that stuff with the stock style plug wires you could melt them. So don't be fooled by the masses of people running out to buy plug wires that cost two or three times as much as the factory ones.