norcoastal

How do you clean the MAF?

Ubermensch

You can purchase electronics cleaner (spray) in most auto supply stores. Make sure the one you get states that it's safe for plastics. Then you remove the MAF by unscrewing the two security torx screws (note the orientation), spray down the sensing elements (look like resistors), and let it dry. Do not touch, rub, or try to scrub the elements. They are fragile and they will break. Then reinstall the MAF sensor making sure you have it pointed the correct direction, and you're good to go.

-Shawn

norcoastal

thanks for the advice, i'll try it today!

norcoastal

MAF is cleaned, I'll see how it starts in the morning. It only has a rough idle when I first start it up in the morning.

Pac996

Don't be surprised if it doesn't fix it till mysteriously the problem goes away after diluting possibly an old tank of gas from the car sitting during winter

parts stores do have maf specific cans of spray.

Topaz330ci

+ A Million!

I think I even had an engine light come on due to this!! As soon as I put a fresh tank, it was perfect!

shannah1806

You don't spray the resistors to clean it. The sensor is actually at the bottom of the MAF. there's a thread on this board (can't remember which one unfortunately) that diagrams the airflow of the sensor and shows where you need to spray it out. If you look at the bottom of the MAF, you'll see a section that is like a "hook". It has an opening for the air to flow in. Look in there and you'll see the metallic sensor probe. The air flows past it and out a hole in the bottom. I sprayed cleaner on that and let it flow out the bottom hole. I did a couple 10-15 second shots. Let it dry at least 30 minutes. I'm still running fine and haven't put in the new one I bought. I figured I'd wait till it gives me the light again.

Barn996

Glad it worked. When I cleaned mine a CEL reappeared after 2-3 weeks of usage, then I replaced with a new MAF and it has not thrown a CEL in well over a year.

norcoastal

Well it still happens. But it's weird, it's not just a rough idle. It starts fine, then it chokes, pops and the idle rises and goes down after about a minute.

The car runs great after that and the idle is perfect. It's only when you first start it up or after its been sitiing for like 12 hours.

Performance is great and you can start it all day long with no idle problems, it's just the initial start up?

Thoughts...besides taking it to a repair shop???

Ahsai

As Shawn suggested, any codes stored? It sounds like your fuel system has bled down (i.e., not holding pressure after 12hrs) so at start up, there's not enough fuel. How about when you start it, turn the key to ON for a few seconds and back to OFF and then to ON again. Repeat this cycle a few times before actually cranking the engine? This should help prime the fuel pressure before the engine is actually cranked. Just a thought.

sandersd

How many Porsche owners does it take to change a light bulb?

norcoastal

I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

I don't have a meter so I don't have any codes.

Ahsai

Without the ability to read codes, you're diagnosing in the dark. A simple code reader is ~$50 from Costco and will be an indispensible tool for any car greater than a few yrs old.

RPMulli

Does the choking stop after the air pump turns off?

norcoastal

Turning the key on and off didn't make a difference. Not sure what the air pump is?

It only lasts less than a minute.

I need to get a code reader. Maybe go to Autozone and use one of theirs.

Any pictures of where to plug it in? My car didn't come with a manual.

Thanks