MAF failure

816 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by RAWERW, Jul 1, 2004

RAWERW

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2004

Has anyone with a 2003 1.8T had their MAF fail? I know this is a common problem on the older MY cars, but I need to know about newer models.

I keep getting a CEL and the VAG-COM code is always 16486 - MAF below lower limit. I have removed and clead the MAF twice, with no luck.

I have 44K on the car, so it is under warranty, but I may have problems with the dealer becasue of the EVO intake.

So has anyone else had a failure or experiance with a MAF warranty claim on a modified intake?

TIA

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D.Passat00

· #2 · Jul 1, 2004

can you put on the stock airbox?

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blaupassat

· #3 · Jul 1, 2004

It seems like those who have aftermarket filters or setups have MAF problems. Oh, except for the BMG's :weirdo:

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RAWERW

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 1, 2004

I can not put the stock box back on, besides that would not be fair. I understand the concept of you "pay to play". If that means I have to pay for the new MAF, so be it.

I do not think the intake casued the failure - I have had it on the car for over 40K and never had an issue. Also the MAF in our cars is known for failure, so ...

It is at the dealer now, so we will see.

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pass-variant

· #5 · Jul 1, 2004

Been running after market intakes and filters since new, and my MAF is fine. After many a filter oil bath... cleaning it is a regular necessity. Every oil change.

Now regarding your problem. Although it is likely the MAFS, given the sensitivity to corrosion (exhaust gas recirculation), it could be a leak in the intake... behind the MAF - 'Unmetered Air'.

If you have a leak down stream from the MAFS this could cause the same code. Since there needs to be a vaccuum in order for it to suck unmetered air in, it'll be between the MAFS and the turbo inlet.

To find it, beyond the obvious visual inspection, if you can find a source (welding shop), you use compressed nitrogen to 'soak' local portions of your intake with the nitrogen (spraying specific areas) while the engine is idling. If the portion of the intake you are 'coating' in Nitrogen has a leak, it will suck it in and make the engine stumble.

The only difficulty with this is your intake. You may have to remove the filter and rig a new intake tube such that the car is sourcing are from outside the engine bay. That way you won't mistakenly fill the actual intake path with nitrogen and get a 'false positive'.

Worth a look -vs- dropping the cash on the MAFS.

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RAWERW

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 1, 2004

Thanks for the info you make an excellent point. As soon as I get the car back - later today hopefully - I am going to do a complete inspection of the system, check for leaks.

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