DeSnorkeling & MAF Problems
 

I DeSnorkeled my Boxster about 8 months ago and it had been running fine. Just this past Friday 11/9/07 the CEL came on and my code reader shows P1128 & P1130 , both of which indicate a MAF problem. Has any one else had MAF problems due to DeSnorkeling? The air filter should be filtering regardless, whether the snorkel is on or off right? What is the expected life of a MAF sensor? My car is 7.5 years old with 39,095 miles on it.

Thanks

My MAF went out at about 35k. When I was researching the issue, I saw posts from plenty of other folks having the same problem. I also saw several articles that stated it was a common problem on the Boxster.

I don't recall seeing anything that suggested de-snorkeling accelerated the MAF failure. I did see several warnings about using oiled air filters such as the K&N. So my guess is that it was an age/mileage related failure.

You should have your MAF cleaned or replaced as soon as you can. When mine failed it caused the fuel/air mixture to be too rich. This caused the catalytic converter to start overheating and I had a flashing CEL. Fortunately I was able to stop and have the car towed before any damage was done. But, it is not something you want to have happen far from home.

Good luck.

Thanks Kevin. Have you ever cleaned a MAF? Is it relatively easy? I checked the PCA website and they say you need to clean it with electronic parts cleaner.

BTW, I also found that another cause of MAF malfunction and damage is from the oil separator bellows hose. Apparently this rubber hose will deteriorate from heat and oil and allow air to enter the intake system. It is a flexible hose that connects the separator to the engine and is located below the oil separator. It is most easily viewed and replaced from below when the car is on a lift. I'm going to check the integrity of this rubber hose too.

Here's information on MAF cleaning:

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/checkenginelightcausedbymassairflowsensor

I haven't done it myself but MAF's are expensive and it might be worth taking a shot at cleaning yours.

Thanks Kevin, that's a great site. I've got nothing to lose by cleaning it.

MAF and Desnorkle
 

I am not sure if they are related but it could be since MAF is suppose send signal to the engine for the proper air/fuel ratio. Removing the snorkel will probably alter the amount of air (oxygen) entering the engine. In an ideal situation, the MAF sensor should detect the change in air flow and send the signal to reallocate the ratio to the engine. My best advice for you is to clean the MAF sensor with (very easy DIY) before you spend $500 for the dealer to replace it. I'd say unless your MAF sensor is totally gone, cleaning it helps 8 out of 10 times.

My Experience:
When I bought my car at the end of September, the dealer replaced the MAF sensor due to erratic idling. I had no problem with the car until after I desnorkled the car about 10 days ago. The erractic idling problem came back again (once) but it went away after I cleaned the MAF sensor. So basically I am not sure if it is related but cleaning it should be your first step. :dance:

I Hope This Is My Problem 2!!
 

I hope this is my problem also, my CEL came on driving back from the in-laws on Saturday. The dealer said the code reader is locked in the Porsche techs tool box. I have been sitting all weekend thinking the worst. Let me know how it goes, I HOPE I will be doing the same!

By the way I have 41k miles and desnorkled also.....

I also had P1128 and P1130 some time ago.
Cleaning the MAF made the CEL go away but eventually the CEL came back for good.
A new MAF fixed the problem...

I wouldn't associate a bad MAF with desnorkeling. The air filter is still in place and untampered with when desnorkeled.

MAFs are a weak point on early 986 & 996,don't think much of it.

buy it from
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Don't pay anyone to change it out,it takes 10 minutes and 1 torx bit.

AutoZone will use their CEL Code reader to read and interpret the codes for free. I just bought the Actron (palm sized) CEL reader from AutoZone on Saturday for $70.00. It comes with a CD that has all of the make & model specific codes. Nice little device to save you a trip to the Porsche dealer if the problem turns out to be a DIY project.

If it's the Actron Pocketscan that you bought than it doesn't have the model specific codes. For example P1128 won't be in the library of codes,but it's on Renntech.org & in the Bentley Manual so one way or another you will know what it is.

I will run down there tomorrow morning and let you know how it turns out....thanks for the help.

No. as I said in my post. My Actron came with a CD that has the model specific codes. I have already used it. Maybe the older version didn't but mine definitely does.