Green cotton air filter and MAF meter fault on Leon cupra 1.8t?

[RedPanther1.8t]

Hi guys,

I was about to get my beloved 2003 seat leon cupra remapped to revo stage one.

While plugged into the mappers' diagnostic tool, the car threw up an MAF meter fault code. I got the replacement Mass Air Flow meter from all parts and replaced the old one myself.

The car was running like new following this job. Power delivery was much smoother, Rev counter stopped fluctuating on idle and fuel economy improved. I was very pleased.

Was also due air filter change so I swapped out OEM paper element filter for a green cotton performance panel filter. This resulted in nicer intake sound and I could also feel a little better performance and fuel economy.

After only a few days of driving with this set up, however, the car seems to be running flat like it did before. Rev counter is a little more jumpy on idle again, sometimes causing car to shudder on idle, and the car feels a little hesitant like it did with the old MAF sensor before the replacement.

I have read online about people having MAF problems with other preoiled cotton panel filters like K&N. Could the green cotton filter have wrecked my new MAF sensor? Has anyone come across this issue with a green cotton filter before?

 

[Ryan6926]

Was the MAF sensor genuine? If not that maybe the issue as the non genuine's last 2 minutes tops

Green Cotton filters are meant to be pretty good so unless there's far too much oil on it then it shouldn't be the cause of the issue

 

[RedPanther1.8t]

Hi Ryan,

The MAF sensor was a remanufactured bosch one. The original I removed was an identical bosch meter but just had audi and vw logo on it.

The green panel filter comes preoiled but there was no sign of excess oil.

After installation it seemed to lead to an immediate improvement but now the car feels like it did with the old faulty meter.

 

[Ryan6926]

Did you clear the previous fault code when you replaced the MAF?

I wouldn't expect the Green Filter to have knackered a MAF certainly not if it was genuine and not so quickly,

Have you got any codes thrown up?

 

[leegreenaway]

Easiest is Try the standard filter again, after clearing any codes.
Then I'd probably move onto thinking it could be a dodgy re-manufactured MAF, take it out a clean it with some isopropyl alcohol solution (IIRC), refit, clear any codes.
Check all piping relating to the DV/PCV system for any leaks.

I was going to get a revo but decided against since they can be rather aggressive, hence why I'm saving up for a Badger5 Custom Stage 1, dyno'd and tweaked for safe performance.

 

[RedPanther1.8t]

How do I go about clearing the pervious fault code?

The code came up when revo dealer plugged himself into odb port. I don't actually have a code reader myself. They asked me for £150 to change the MAF meter before the remap so I just drove to all parts and did it myself.

The job itself cost me £70 part and hardly half an hour labour.

 

[RedPanther1.8t]

Apologies if that's a noob question.

 

[Ryan6926]

Grab yourself one of these mate is the easiest answer

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vgate-Sca...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4ab80a6d0c

Once you've got it just plug it into the OBD Port (In the back part of the centre console at the base)

Scan for codes, then clear them, It maybe that the previous code wasn't cleared so the car may think there's still an issue?

I don't know if the Leon has a self learning ECU

 

[RedPanther1.8t]

I really need to in one of those. Thanks for suggesting a good one.

For the meanwhile can I reset the fault code by disconnecting the battery for a while?

 

[leegreenaway]

Yeah disconnect it for about 10 seconds and it should reset the codes

 

[Ryan6926]

I've not tried that method yet but don't forget you'll need your radio code to set the stereo back up unless it's aftermarket.

You need to have that handy else it's a main dealer job to unlock the radio again lol

 

[ibizacupra]

MAFs die..

where did you buy it? genuine bosch exchange? from euro car parts?

 

[RedPanther1.8t]

Hey guys,

Thanks to all for the help and advice.

I disconnected the battery for a while and then reconnected. After doing so I could feel everything working as it should - the beast is back!

I wanted to be sure that the fault code was gone so I got myself an odb2 reader and found no fault codes after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery.

So the green cotton filter had nothing to do with new MAF not working correctly. I just hadn't resent the previous fault code so the car was running a bit limp. Everything is fine, green cotton panel filter is great!

 

[Ryan6926]

Glad it's sorted