Ignition problems!!

[97Boxsterian]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

c.) MAF Sensor This sensor regulates the amount of fuel injected into the engine by sensing the amount of Air being drawn in. Without an OBD Reader, it's difficult to test it's operation, but if everything else checks out, this could be the culprit. The use of K&N type filters have been known to give the MAF sensors a hard time as the oil in these Filters can contaminate the sensor. If you have one of these Filters, I'd replace it with a standard papper one.

After having great time with my 97 Boxster for about 1 month, the hard starting problem comes back I bought my baby to Porsche dealer yesterday and they call me today telling me the Mass Air Flow Sensor is bad. It will cost me $500 for part and $300 for labor. Do you think I can replace the sensor myself? Should I try replace the filter first and see if it fix the problem? Please help!

[Brucelee]

Thanks to all that provided advice here. Happy outcome and he saved money!

Nice job!

[pez]

Originally Posted by 97Boxsterian

After having great time with my 97 Boxster for about 1 month, the hard starting problem comes back I bought my baby to Porsche dealer yesterday and they call me today telling me the Mass Air Flow Sensor is bad. It will cost me $500 for part and $300 for labor. Do you think I can replace the sensor myself? Should I try replace the filter first and see if it fix the problem? Please help!

Yup, I'm in the same boat as you , you can try getting a T-20 anti-tamper torx and some electrical contact cleaner and clean the business end of the MAF some people have had luck with that. I have not had a chance to get to mine yet.
You are lucky the MAF you have in your box is the older design and you should be able to replace it yourself fairly easily. (the newer version MAF requires it to be programmed into the ECU $$)

For replacing the filter first? I’m assuming you mean the Air filter, do you have an oiled filter like a K&N on there? Has the Check engine light come on? (if so you should try to get a OBD-2 reader and get the codes). If the check engine light is on the MAF is already hosed and changing the filter will not change the symptom.

Do a search on http://www.renntech.org/ I was going to post a link to a thread there but the site is currently being updated and is down for a bit.

Pez

[97Boxsterian]

Originally Posted by pez

Yup, I'm in the same boat as you , you can try getting a T-20 anti-tamper torx and some electrical contact cleaner and clean the business end of the MAF some people have had luck with that. I have not had a chance to get to mine yet.
You are lucky the MAF you have in your box is the older design and you should be able to replace it yourself fairly easily. (the newer version MAF requires it to be programmed into the ECU $$)

For replacing the filter first? I’m assuming you mean the Air filter, do you have an oiled filter like a K&N on there? Has the Check engine light come on? (if so you should try to get a OBD-2 reader and get the codes). If the check engine light is on the MAF is already hosed and changing the filter will not change the symptom.

Do a search on http://www.renntech.org/ I was going to post a link to a thread there but the site is currently being updated and is down for a bit.

Pez

Thank you for the advice! My engine light is not on, so I guess I will try cleaning the MAF sense frist and see how it turns out. What is T-20 anti-tamper torx? Can I buy it in local auto accessory store like pepboys, autozone...etc.? Which kind of electrical contact cleaner would you recommend? I found lots of tread in renntech.org about MAF, I guess we don't need to be worried. I will try cleaning it next weekend and I will update you. Thank you

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by 97Boxsterian

What is T-20 anti-tamper torx? Can I buy it in local auto accessory store like pepboys, autozone...etc.? Which kind of electrical contact cleaner would you recommend? I found lots of tread in renntech.org about MAF, I guess we don't need to be worried. I will try cleaning it next weekend and I will update you. Thank you

The T-20 anti-tamper (aka security) torx is a torx wrench with a hole in the middle of it. The screw holding the MAF in has a small peg in the middle of the torx hole to keep you from being able to work on it yourself. They are available at most auto parts stores and easy to find online if nobody local carries it.

For electronics cleaner, I'd just go to Radio Shack and get some. I have a hard time finding it at auto shops.

Good luck!