Dealer mechanics

**rideon1200** · 12-09-2007, 03:19 PM

I had a problem with 2002 Formula. Firebird would lose power and problem with shifting. Took to dealership that had for 1 week trying to figure out problem. They had it on machines for days. Gave me the car back and didnt charge anything because the couldnt figure it out. Was sitting in Jiffy Lube today, needed oil change didnt have time. Picked up driver mag and was reading bullitins. First one talked about GM 2007 and older: loss of power and bad shifting. Culprit: aftermarket intakes and rain. I have a cold air intake on mine. Seems like these guys should know this stuff, especially at a GM dealership.

**red99ws6** · 12-09-2007, 03:55 PM

i have heard of this on imports that have the open element filter hanging down low. does it do it all the time or just when it is raining

**TransAm11973** · 12-09-2007, 06:47 PM

yes moisture will kill your engine. IF you have a CAI that is that low to the ground and are driving it in rain, get a air flow bypass. it goes on at te other end of your pipe near the manfold. Basically its a circular filter thats on the pipe, if water get sucked in at the bottom end this bypass allows the pressure in the pipe line to drop so you dont get H2O in your block. THink of a straw in water, if you put a whole in the straw at the top end near you rmout and try to suck in water you cant,..the pressure has been eqaulized becasue of the whol eand you just get air......I beleive AEM make a bypass, I am sure others have it too just do some internet searching.....

**blue02Z** · 12-09-2007, 07:30 PM

if it rains, mine will cut out when i go WOT, it will cutout, after 1 time tho its good

**joejenkinsglass** · 12-09-2007, 08:30 PM

most so called mechanics are just parts changers if the computer wont diagnose it there is nothing wrong

**0rion** · 12-09-2007, 10:25 PM

do you run a K&N filter? If so you might wanna try cleaning the MAF. The MAF will cause the same symptoms you're describing.

**t-rock** · 12-10-2007, 03:18 AM

how do go about cleaning the maf?

**blue02Z** · 12-10-2007, 04:08 AM

spray the inside of it down with maf cleaner or brake cleaner

**Marc 85Z28** · 12-10-2007, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by rideon1200

First one talked about GM 2007 and older: loss of power and bad shifting. Culprit: aftermarket intakes and rain. I have a cold air intake on mine. Seems like these guys should know this stuff, especially at a GM dealership.

The only TSB that resembles the one you describe is a generic TSB on overly oiled aftermarket air filters. They contaminate the MAF and create all sorts of problems. So, do you have an oiled air filter element?

You got the car back after diagnosis and they didn't charge you anything? They obviously couldn't duplicate the concern. Is this problem intermittent?

**Mike's TA** · 12-10-2007, 09:01 AM

I think it's amazing that you didn't get charged just for hooking the car to a reader. Most of the places around here charge minimum of $86 for that.

**0rion** · 12-10-2007, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by t-rock

how do go about cleaning the maf?

CRC makes a MAF cleaner that you can get at pretty much any autoparts store and it's cheap. Radio Shack also makes a good electronics cleaner which is slightly more expensive. Either way you're looking for a non-residue electronic parts cleaner.