Question on Boxster Common Engine Failures

Hello - I have a 1999 Porsche Boxster with 103000 miles on it. It still drives very well most of the time. The check engine light has been on for some time now- when I took it to the dealership they said it was the mass airflow sensor but that it was OK to drive with the check engine light on. Recently I had some work done to the vehicle but not the mass air flow sensor. Lately when I first use the car in the morning, the car will have trouble accelerating, and won't go above 2000 RPM without jerking violently and making loud "pop" noises. This is true in 1,2,3 or 4th gear. These noises usually work themselves out and eventually the car will return to normal behavior after about 5-10 minutes- I usually drive around the neighborhood and let it work itself out before pulling out into fast traffic. Question- could the mass airflow sensor be causing this problem or is this another issue? Thank you for your help!!

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[Nick at Pelican Parts]

I would start by replacing the MAF sensor and clearing the fault code. This is likely your issue.

- Nick

[mikefocke]

I think getting the exact code will tell us/you more than a generic "just throw this part at it" remark. Most "MAF problems" aren't, they are air leak problems. Most "MAF problems"could be one of up to 5 things. Not that Nick isn't trying to help but I think he/you are trusting the dealer's suggestion too much. Once he told you driving with the CEL cause still present wasn't going to hurt he lost my believing him.

Driving with the CEL on can lead to other damage like destroying the catalytic converters because your ECU isn't able to calculate a proper air/fuel mixture and incomplete combustion may be dumping unburnt gas into the converters. $$$

Get the exact Pnnnn code(s), post it, follow the diagnostic flow chart suggested.

Many auto stores will read the codes via an OBD2 scanner for you. Code readers can be as cheap as $50. Actron is a common brand.