Hi

 

Car is a 2008 Fabia II 1.4 TDI(PD80) with DPF.

 

List of things done to the car last month:

Changed oil, oilfilter, fuelfilter and airfilter.

Shop fixed a leak on exhaust just under the middle of the car.

Cleaned the EMS connector.

Cleaned a faulty brake light switch and reused it.

 

A few days ago the car started "stuttering" when i was cruising, did not matter if by cruise-control or by foot. The engine ran fine on WOT and on idle.

Yesterday the car started to idle rough, +/- 100rpm jumps, lost power on partial throttle and MIL light came on, fault code P0101 (MAF related code) and P2297(Intake system leak).

 

I tried to find a leak on the intake by listening, also plugged the intake tube(with my hand) just after the MAF housing and the hoses on the intake collapsed and engine dropped RPM fast until i let it breathe again, seems like no leak. Its hard to diagnose this alone and without proper tools.

 

Took a reading on the reported MAF and boost values:

MAF: 23+ g/s on idle and it went DOWN under engine load.

Boost: Boost: Seems normal, i glanced at it and it was over 22psi/1.51bar at WOT.

 

I took out the MAF housing and tried to clean the MAF sensor with ISO spray trough the mesh that's on the housing, cleaned connector and lubed it with dielectric grease. Now the MAF reads 6-8 g/s on idle and maxes out around 70-80 g/s on WOT, engine codes went away by themselves.

 

Problem is, i can still feel a slight stutter when cruising, its seldom and not very noticeable, but its there. Also idle can now jump by 20rpm +/- from time to time.

Anyone know what i should do next? Order a new MAF or try to clean my current one better? Anything else i can and/or should do?

Keep in mind that my budget is TIGHT.

Edited 15 May, 20188 yr by mannyo
Edited at request of OP

Just to be sure, you are not mistaking an engine issue with normal idle fluctuations as and when air-con or fan click on at all?  Also, have you done a DPF regen lately?  The MAF can be obtained fairly cheaply on eBay so cleaning may be pointless, even proper Bosch ones are not too expensive if you can replace it yourself. I think they are so sensitive, cleaning is usually a waste of time and trouble. 

 

I am surprised you mention cruise control as i think in the UK this was not an option on the Greenline...

Edited 15 May, 20188 yr by mrgf

24 minutes ago, mrgf said:

Just to be sure, you are not mistaking an engine issue with normal idle fluctuations as and when air-con or fan click on at all?

You are right, it might be my mind playing tricks on me. I just wanted to list all symptoms incase anyone could relate.

 

30 minutes ago, mrgf said:

Also, have you done a DPF regen lately?

Not deliberately, going to read up on it now.

 

34 minutes ago, mrgf said:

I am surprised you mention cruise control as i think in the UK this was not an option on the Greenline...

Might be since the LHD and the RHD models are based on a different base equipped model? I have the Dance radio, small DOT, cruise-control, the cheap steering wheel, no armrest and 14" rims as standard equipment. It was a popular option as work cars for the local municipality branches.

Mine is a late 09 model, came with 15 inch wheels,  Dance audio, climatronic was ordered as extra to normal a/c, as was ESP. No arm rest as that was an option. Front electrics, windy rear windows as they were not an option for some reason. (I asked, dealer said not available but could retro fit. This would cost quite a bit more then the normal few hundred £ as build order). Normal, non maxi dot display. I have added front LED bulbs, along with rear tail lights LED, numberplate and interior/boot/glovebox LED bulbs. Going to fit LED fogs soon. Fitted auto lights along with nicer switch, along with nicer chrome trimmed window switches.Sunglass holder in roof, underseat storage cupboards. Dampers in roof handles, to stop them slamming when pulled down and let go. Nice little plastic trim covers that go over the door catches and hinges, purely cosmetic. Aluminium pedal covers. Mostly cheap additions but make it feel fresh when you get bored again. 

Hmm, i also have ESP, and that wasn't an extra option, it was standard as i remember. I'm also changing to LED's, but i change them as the old bulbs go. Do you use cheap ebay bulbs or some name brand? And where did you get a roof sunglass holder?

 

The car still stutters while cruising, but only in gentle downhills. It doesn't feel "right" when i drive it, somethings off. I have a longer trip coming up early next month, i don't want the car to crap out when I'm 6 hours away from home.

So i went to buy some groceries just now and the car had a really rough idle and loads of exhaust, MAF read 45 g/s, when i pulled the plug to the MAF the car ran fine, better than it had in a long time. Connected MAF and it read normally for a few secs then back up to 40+ g/s.

 

Can we with this information stipulate that it is the MAF and it needs replacing?