I have a 2008 lancer GTS & I just installed a HPS short ram intake last week. Now my check engine light is on and it gave me code P0171. The car still drives great like nothing's wrong. I went and bought the MAF sensor cleaner,disconnected the battery again and cleaned the sensor,an hour later I connected the battery again and drove it the rest of the day with no problems until on my way home the check engine light came back on. What do I do now? & is it okay to drive it with the light on or what?

 

P0171 suggests that you have an air leak after the MAF. Check for proper fit then tighten all of the couplings from the MAF to the intake manifold.

 

i just looked through and all the couplings and hoses were already tight from when i installed the intake. I checked again to make sure and i turned the car on and listened out for air leaks and felt all the fittings to see if air was coming out and there were no air leaks. So what do i do now? The guy from Autozone that read my code said it was something to do with my O2 sensor but could it be? and how do i check it?

 

There is a long list of possible issues with p0171, just google it. All are related to possible air leaks. Something you touched moved or blocked off can't be left the way it is. If you need to , go back and put all the stock stuff back on the car, clear the code and see what happens. If it stays gone, you have your answer. But as suggested, much of it has to do with air leaks/vacuum leaks.

 

Air would not be coming out. Air would be getting in at a point after the MAF has measured and told the ECU how much air to expect. The ECU then dispenses a corresponding amount of fuel which turns out to be too little since there is extra air entering the engine, thus the lean condition.

 

is there a certain trick or something i can do to see if i have a leak and where it is,i couldnt feel anything with my finger but im sure thats not a very effective way. Whats the main hoses i need to be looking for that have leaks or cracks in them?

 

Take off the SRI and reinstall it. Be patient and methodical as you work.
Normally one would pressurise the intake and use soapy water to check for leaks.

 

Sounds like your best bet.

also clean your maf. If it got dirt or oil on it during the install the very well throw off the readings and cause problems.