2014 Expedition Update

Gary from Muleshoe · Feb 1, 2016

It was the Max Airflow Sensor that caused it to shut down. They said I should only use a Ford air filter in it becuase the off brands do not seal right. I admit I have been using a Fram filter in it, which wasn't all that dirty but I replaced with a Wix filter today. So my question now is who makes the Ford filter and which brand is the best on the market these days? I have used Fram filters for the past 35 years and have never had an issue, but done a Goggle search and find that Fram is considered the worst on the market these days.

Gambles · Feb 1, 2016

Probably made by Purolator, but it's made to Ford's standards, so if you buy a Purolator filter, it won't be the same.
Aftermarket filters, Fram included, are hit and miss. What will work great for one model will not have the same fit and filtering capacity as another model.
There are some items that I will only buy OEM. O2 sensors, coolant thermostats are an example. Filters are not one of my examples, but maybe I better reconsider.

RandyB(MI) · Feb 1, 2016

On another issue with aftermarket filters. I bought a '99 Sub a few yrs ago with only 73000 one owner miles on it. This guy was meticulous in his vehicle maintenance . He bought the hype and installed a K&N filter (the oiled ones). Well after about 6000 miles with me it started giving huge problems, no guts, run perfect as long as you didn't floor it. Wouldn't spin on gravel in low. Ended up being the sticky air filter treatment had finally accumulated on the little MAF sensor wires and insulated them so they didn't sense any amount of air flow and thus it shut down the fuel to injectors and no power. Simple fix with MAF sensor spray cleaner. Acted just like plugged cats but would backfire once in a while. Those wires must be perfectly clean on filter side and engine side.

oc-18guy · Feb 1, 2016

motorcraft is fords brand of filters.

Bob · Feb 1, 2016

I should have though of that, as I have helped two Ford guys out with the same issue on cars.

One had a bug (mosquito) lodged in a small "port" in the MAF, and another had a bunch of dust in it, affecting it's operation.

The one with the bug in it had a broken latch on the airfilter box, and the one with lots of dust was a Lincoln that was always serviced at the dealership.

It had a Motorcraft filter in it that was not sealing due to the plastic airbox being deformed.

I told the guy to take it back to the dealership with service records to prove it had been "serviced" there religiously, and see what they would do to fix it, and what they though about all the dust the engine had eaten. (Ductwork to the throttle body was very dusty inside.)

I never did hear back from him.

Point being, it's not necessarily the air filter itself, but a POOR (CHEAP) design of the air filter box.

(BTW, I seem to remember Ford had an issue with some of the round airfilters/airfilter boxes not sealing and dusting $$$$ engines, and recalled/repaired some. Anyone else remember that?)

VicS · Feb 1, 2016

all three filters are made at Champ. At Albion Il. Ford has to buy them someplace. But they could be buying them from somewhere else now.

Gary from Muleshoe · Feb 1, 2016

Are the older models more tolerable to dust? I have a 1999 F150 V6 (260,000 miles) that has never given me a problem with max air flow sensor. Also how do these farmers put up with this? They are running in dirt every day.

Jshum40 · Feb 1, 2016

It is now Fram Filtration In Albion, Ill.not Champion Laboratory like it had been for so many years.

Steve@Advance · Feb 1, 2016

Gary, just to do a comparison, next time find a Motorcraft air filter, most auto supplies can get them if you ask for it by name, or go to the dealer. Look at it, see if there is any difference between the Motorcraft and other brands. Looking at the rubber part, you can tell if it is comparable, even tell if it came from the same mold design.

Also look at the old filter, the dirt/contact pattern where the filter seals against the filter box. If it's leaking, determine if it's the filter or the box that is causing the leak.

But, now that you know what the problem was, next time it acts up, clean the MAF sensor with aerosol MAF sensor cleaner. It's easy to clean, it's the little wire looking thing sticking in the air in duct right before the throttle plate.

oc-18guy · Feb 2, 2016

Also not the correct police here but... it's mass air ,not max. just so you know not beating you up at all.

2014 Expedition Update

Gary from Muleshoe

Well-known Member

Gambles

Well-known Member

RandyB(MI)

Well-known Member

oc-18guy

Member

Bob

Well-known Member

VicS

Well-known Member

Gary from Muleshoe

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Jshum40

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

oc-18guy

Member

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