Hi Marc,
Your thorough and detailed run down is very much appreciated. I live in NY and have a 2014 5.0 GT Premium with BBK shorty headers, H-pipe, Roush mufflers, AIRaid CAI and original cats. Passed emissions inspection in Sept 2020 with all of these mods in place, including the reduction sleeve in the intake tube of the CAI. Installed a BAMA 87 Octane Street Performance Tune in early January of this year and had to remove the reduction sleeve in the CAI to run optimally. Went to get Inspection done in early October at Ford with that tune in place (and no reduction sleeve), and the O2 & heated O2 monitors were "Not Ready". NO DTC codes observed on my OBD reader Called BAMA about this and they created a new "emission" tune, which I then installed and then drove 106 miles (Bama stated at least 50 to 70). Brought back to Ford, but O2 & Heated O2 monitors still not ready. Drove an additional 203 miles & went back to Ford. Still both O2 monitors were not ready. No codes thrown Reinstalled the factory stock tune and the reduction sleeve & drove 164 miles & went back to Ford. STILL not ready. Still no DTC codes. Talked to Bama & was advised to run through drive cycles Researched drive cycle info and found 2 different ones.
One stated to do the following:
" Accelerate slowly to 40 mph while staying below 2300 rpm. Maintain constant pressure on gas pedal for steady speed of 40 mph for at least 4 minutes, up to 5 minutes, preferably for at least 4 miles. No stopping and do not let off gas pedal."
That didn't help.
The second one stated the following:
" Pre-Conditioning Requirements: Fuel level between 15% and 85%. All accessories off
Start the vehicle and idle for 4 minutes.
Idle the vehicle in Drive for 1 minute.
Accelerate smoothly with a steady foot to 45 mph. Stay in second gear for 5 seconds during this acceleration. Get to 5th gear.
Maintain a 45 mph speed for 30 seconds
Stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle in Drive for 1 minute.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly and drive for 15 minutes at speeds between 15-35 mph. Within this time, stop at least 5 times with ten seconds of idle time, and have at least 3 periods of steady speed for 90 second durations. Use slow throttle accelerations.
(Note: During this section I drove at speeds of 15 and 20 mph for at least 90 seconds at each, and then at 25mph for about 3 minutes, followed by 30 mph & 35 mph for at least 4 minutes or more at each one)
Drive the vehicle between 45-60 mph for 8 minutes.
Then, maintain a steady speed between 45-60mph for 5 minutes.
Followed by driving the vehicle at any (varying) speed(s) between 45-60mph for 8 minutes.
Stop the vehicle and idle for 40 seconds."
That still didn't work.
Drove another 550 miles of normal driving (both highway and around town), but still not ready.
Went and bought an OBDLink Mx+ reader which reads both sides of the ECU.
Connected and obtained a U0401-81 DTC (Invalid Data received from the ECU/PCM)
Stock tune still in place.
Called BAMA & gave then the rundown.
They stated to do a "hard reset" by disconnecting the battery for at least 30 minutes. And to check to ensure there was no corrosion or oxidation on the battery terminals and battery lead connectors, as well as the Ground connection on the alternator, which I did. They also stated to drive for at least 70 to 100 miles & check readiness again. The Ground connection on the alternator was covered by a rubber cup and was absolutely clean with no corrosion whatsoever. Also no corrosion on battery terminals or battery connectors either, but still used a steel wool and wire brush to give everything a good cleaning to get shiny metal contact for best possible connection. Drove 140 miles but O2 monitors still not ready.
I am at my whit's end.
Should I consider cleaning the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner?
I will have to see how hot the CATs actually get by trying out what you suggest, but was wondering whether or not it would be wise, or OK, to temporarily either place perforated foil on the muffler tips or to temporarily stuff the tailpipes with steel wool to reduce the throughput of exhaust flow with the intent to increase back pressure and to try to get the CAT temps higher?
Any helpful info from anyone regarding this would certainly be appreciated .
Thanks very much in advance.