HELP... TB Spacer screwed my ride...

[bchapman16]

Boys,

I'm in need of some help. I put a TBS on this weekend, and I have been having trouble since I tightened the last bolt...

Symptoms:
1.) Check engine light is on.
2.) Smells like the truck is running (very) rich.
3.) Temp is running right at 210.
4.) Feels like there is little backpressure when I throttle up on the hwy.

I'm very meticulous in my work, and this has me completely beside myself. Any clues/tips/etc. that you guys have would be much appreciated. This is my pride and joy, and I can't have her not working right.

Thanks.
-Bradley

 

[Design]

I'm new to the Tahoe but what usually happens in this situation is that there is a loose connection along the air intake.

Did you remove the intake completely when you put in the Spacer? If so make sure that any air is not getting in after your MAF or IAT. MAF backwards? Leaks or cracks in the intake? I know that this seems like the simple DUH like stuff but that is usually what is wrong.

Sometimes when you put a spacer on stock intake (or aftermarket) it binds it and lets air seep into the intake past the MAF and IAT.

 

[Trend Setta]

Does your tahoe have the pully throttle or is it electrical b/c I know the 01's have the pully's

 

[bchapman16]

Thanks for all the replies guys... I left work today a bit early, and I was actually able to trace down the problem (I think).

The gaskets that were sent with the TBS were brittle, and had broken on the bottom of the spacer where I couldn't see. Today, when I did a leak check I found it...

Tommorow's commute will be the true test, but I appreciate the replies.

Let's cross our fingers...

 

[Design]

When you say leak check what exactly did you do. The quickest way is to spray some wd-40 or car cleaner in the area of the assumed leak. If your idle changes then you have a leak.

What did you do, just remove the gasket or what?

 

[bchapman16]

I reached underneath the TBS, where I thought I could hear an air leak, and it felt like it was going to suck my finger in... That's when I decided that that could be my problem.

I went and bought gasket paper, and cut my own piece. Seems to be working fine.

Thanks again!!

 

[Design]

Great...

Now I've always felt like the TB spacers were voodoo. Do you notice any real differences with it?

 

[bchapman16]

A difference... That's difficult to say... I definitely notice a difference in the whistling sound coming through the hood. The part of me that remembers taking almost half a day to install it would looove to tell you that I noticed a HUGE difference, but I'm not sure I have. The only difference I have noticed - although not incredible - is from stop light to stop light... For some reason, it seems like I have to give it more gas to accelerate on the highway?!? Not sure why that is...

A buddy of mine suggested that I go get everything checked out considering the intake, exhaust, and TBS have all recently been installed. He seems to think that they can fix the mixture of fuel/air in order for me to take full advantage of the mod's... Anyone, any thoughts??

Long story short, I have not noticed a huge difference. Sorry if that disappoints or discourages you.

 

[Design]

No dissapointment here. I appreciate someone who gives an honest opinion. It also keeps me from throwing money at something that is either negligible or of no affect. It also adds to the information that I have already learned about TB spacers.

Jon

 

[JKmotorsports]

Does your tahoe have the pully throttle or is it electrical b/c I know the 01's have the pully's

Actually, a lot of 01 models have ETC instead of a throttle cable.