Need to access the MAF sensor....little help?

[UNYboater]

OK, please forgive my lack of knowledge but here goes....
Getting a P1126 code and, after reading several of the posts on here, I want to try cleaning the MAF sensor before panicking wildly!
I looked at Wayne's really cool cold-air-induction instruction & am missing a key piece of info: do I get to the sensor from the top? (& if so, how do I remove the top off the engine? I know that sounds stupid, sorry.....), from the bottom (didn't see anything about that in Wayne's article) or through the air intake? (I can't believe this can be so especially after reading the above-mentioned article...but it's the only other option I can see).
I haven't had this car very long & haven't purchased the Bentley book yet. Speaking of....anyone know of a digital source for a Bentley? I prefer digital to print. Tks!

[newlife]

Originally Posted by UNYboater

OK, please forgive my lack of knowledge but here goes....
Getting a P1126 code and, after reading several of the posts on here, I want to try cleaning the MAF sensor before panicking wildly!
I looked at Wayne's really cool cold-air-induction instruction & am missing a key piece of info: do I get to the sensor from the top? (& if so, how do I remove the top off the engine? I know that sounds stupid, sorry.....), from the bottom (didn't see anything about that in Wayne's article) or through the air intake? (I can't believe this can be so especially after reading the above-mentioned article...but it's the only other option I can see).
I haven't had this car very long & haven't purchased the Bentley book yet. Speaking of....anyone know of a digital source for a Bentley? I prefer digital to print. Tks!

Hi,

The best advice I can give you is to purchase Wayne's book and read over the "Mass Airflow Sensor Troubleshooting and Replacemnt Project" # 27. Read it over atleast three times so you know and can prepare correctly for the task. I don't know where you are looking to address the cool cold air induction instruction. But I do know Waynes book is complete and detailed quite nicely. You will not have any problem. And, you access the MAF from the top, left hand side of the engine, with the convertible top in the "service postion", check out Project 3. Also while you're in there make sure you change the air filter out and clean the throttle body, Project 28. Its all in Waynes book and is writtten very, very well. Also, once you take the MAF sensor out, make sure you write down the part number. If for some reason this troubleshooting task does not work, you can purchase a new MAF. But it is always a good idea to have the part number. Once you get the MAF out of the car/harness, spray the crap out of it with CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleanor. Wayne recommends staying away from the electrical sensor attached to the MAF, however when I cleaned mine, there was oil and crap all around and on the actual sensor. So I sprayed the crap out of the whole thing. I think its quite possible that you can damage or break the actual electical sensor if you put to much pressure on it, and I think that's what Wayne was eluding to. I allowed the MAF sensor to dry out over night and when I put it back in the harness, it looked brand new. Also, I can't stress enough the importance to also cleaning your throttle body and changing out the air filter. Lastly, when ever I work on my car I have to do it with absolutly no interuptions. This means no phones, no friends, no girlfriend, no kids...no nothing but me and my Porsche. For me, missing an important step is not acceptable and therefore I take precautions to make sure the job gets done right! You will notice a difference once your car is back on the road... good luck and I hope I helped you out.

Rod

[UNYboater]

Originally Posted by newlife

I don't know where you are looking to address the cool cold air induction instruction.

I saw Wayne's write-up here:
Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Cold Air Intake Installation - 986 / 987

Originally Posted by newlife

But I do know Waynes book is complete and detailed quite nicely. You will not have any problem. And, you access the MAF from the top, left hand side of the engine, with the convertible top in the "service postion", check out Project 3.

Ah, the old "service position" trick! I knew there was a trick to it! Especially since I was sure I saw a seatbelt in figure 7 of that article. ;-)
I'm ordering the book now. Great stuff & kudos to Wayne for all the gret info he's put on here!
Thank you to you as well, Rod!

[UNYboater]

Busy weekend here:
-Saturday was a 12-hour marathon to replace the left radiator but today's drive to & from work (about 35 miles each way) didn't leave any traces of drips & the coolant is still topped up at the max line.


-Tonight was only about an hour to lay eyes on my engine for the first time enroute to cleaning the MAF !!!


Wayne's book has been great. Looking at the "Poor Man's Method" to add the trip computer, etc. because it was there as a project! Gotta check the option codes first.....

[mcmike27]

I recently did the MAF cleanup and it did make a difference in the idiling. It's a ton of fun popping the hatch to our little 'U boats' it took me about 35 mins the 1st time I did mine. Now I can get in there in about 10 mins. Also you might want to consider doing a engine bay cleaning, some on here will say NEVER ever do it but I do ours in the spring every year and it helps with finding potential issues since it's clean. I use the Simple Green Heavy Degreaser sprayed on LIGHTLY on a slightly warm engine. I let it sit for about 20 mins and then use a long handled soft brush to brush away the surface muck. I wrap the electronic connections with saran wrap and then use a VERY VERY light amount of water to rinse away the rest. You'd be amazed at what runs out under the car when I'm done. I let it all dry and then use my shop vac to suck up any puddles of water. You will have some little ones near the oil cooler. Once its air dry I start the engine and it's bone dry in minutes since I use only a small amount of water. I have never had an issue and the service tech at our local indie and at the Porsche dealership appreciate it when they have to do any repairs on our car since they can see whats going on since all the dirt and dust is gone. It's anal but it helps me when I have to look for issues or do my routine maint.

[UNYboater]

There was a lot of built-up dust; i may take your advice. Tks!
Getting into the engine area wasn't as tough as I expected. I won't have any trouble next time!