waveflux

Yesterday, After driving about 20 miles My 89s4 started running like a tractor! Seems as if it went into Limp home mode. Hardly any power and extreme rough shifting. ( Automatic) the car would idle at stoplights but barely, the sound was like a blown muffler or headgasket without the other symptons. I was thinking, blown hose somewhere in the vaccum system. It was at night, so I drove it home and parked. This morning, started it....same thing. Looked around the hoses, didn't see anything. Took the other car. 928 sat all day. Tonight, it fires right up, drove it around and everything is fine. But I'm freaking out. Any ideas what's going on?

SeanR

Got an '89 here that had the same issue that eventually went to no starting at all.

Put in a new MAF and I think that has cured it.

My wifes '90 did the same thing a couple of times but can't get it to repeat it. Been a few months since it happened last.

waveflux

Could it be debris or something? I changed the filter to K&N around July. I did lift the Airbox this morning, didn't notice anything strange. I must admit, I was more embarrassed from all the racket the car was making, than of it dying on me.

chaadster

Uh-oh, here we go...

ttaddict

its probably that ignition safety relay my 89 did something similiar last year went over all conections and so far this year no problems

waveflux

Did you change it out? Or secured it?

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

Chaad thought but didn't mention that K&N's have been blamed for MAF failures. If I recall correctly, the oil causes problems with the hot wire.

If you can borrow a MAF and swap it, you will know quickly. If you were in MA, I would offer to lend you my spare

morganabowen

Last year, I had the same symptoms, and with the help of Dr. Bob, and my mechanic Jules Hauer, the problem was the MAF. Has been running fine ever since

waveflux

Ok...Now I have a point of attack. Will toss the #$@%&* K&N tomorrow. Go back to OEM. If It comes back again. Change out the MAF.

Mrmerlin

you might also consider getting some MAF spray cleaner at the parts store (its made for MAF) anyway clean the inside of the MAF before you install it and toss the KnN the factory filter works fine

waveflux

I'll do all this starting tomorrow, will update in the future if this is the fix. I was about replace every friggin hose under the hood.

hacker-pschorr

+1 - this year I "fixed" a Boxster S, VW Beetle, and Ferrari 355GTS with this stuff:

I tend to use the whole can per MAF

waveflux

I know this is early into the "fix" but ...WOW!...this CRC stuff lives up to the billing. I went back to the OEM MAHLE filter, followed the straight forward instructions on the MAF cleaner can. Boom! Car goes like a bat outta hell. total cost??? $29 bucks! Woo hoo! So far, so good. If problem returns will re-open thread....but as of right now...I'm not in the K&N camp.

Bill Ball

That was too easy!

Mrmerlin

now your going to asking about what to do with the new KnN filter, Its best to hide it so no one knows what you have done............. LOL