Expensive fix on the table...HELP!!

[Coisman]

imp:
Hi everyone. :wave:
So for the last few weeks my rev counter has been going crazy when the car is cold. It would jump from idling rpm, up to about 1,200rpm, and drop down to 400rpm, and continue the cycle until the car is up to operrating temp.
Over the weekend I had a mechanic friend do a diagnostic on the car while cold, and no error codes, but the MAF air intake reading was showing incomming air on 40 celsius, and that can't be right, so we unplugged the sensor and the car would no longer do the rev-jumping thing, so the guy told me my cars MAF is "moer toe" and I am looking at about R3,000 from my parts supplier to get a replacement.
We already cleaned it properly, and used some carb-cleaner, but no luck, the problem persists, so now I am sitting with this problem.
I need to go to White river and back on the 6th, about 740km in total, and I don't want the car to let me down next to road, so to all you smart guys out there, can I drive the car like that for another month or 2, or do I need to get it fixed ASAP!
HELP!!!

 

[Technician]

Mr. coisman-
can you not find someone else with a E46 and a the same MAF? maybe do a switch if they keen and see if the problem persists, dont want to chase money after something that can be fixed using another route.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Tech, forgot to say the guy that checked the car is ordering new stock on the MAF's so he said as soon as he gets the stock I am more than welcome to come and test the car with a new one, but the delivery is only dew in 3 weeks, so I still need to know if it would be safe to drive the car like that toll then??

 

[rick540]

The up/down rev thing is caused by over fuelling and a rich mixture.

Try not to drive the car like that as the excess fuel will wear the cylinder bores if left too long.

 

[gconry18]

Carb cleaner to clean a MAF :nonono:.

 

[zaleonardz]

Cois,

Try unplugging the MAF all together, the computer will sense it, and revert to a default map?

This will firstly confirm if it is the MAF (cause it will stop doing it, it will run poor but it will be stable), and maybe you can drive it like that.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Len, we did that, "...so we unplugged the sensor and the car would no longer do the rev-jumping thing..."

 

[Spy007]

LOL Check Z :rollsmile: still has my MAF. You can try that one WE KNOW IT works.
:fishwack::roflol:

 

[zaleonardz]

Ah.... Indeeeeed... its been a long ass day

If worse case scenario, rather drive it like that (MAF unplugged)

Give the Bosch part number, I have some contacts that I may be able to assist with.

 

[moranor@axis]

Coisman we both need the same part... what did you get... at what price?

 

[Coisman]

imp:
I haven't gotten anything yet, don't have the money right now.
As soon as Willem, "the guy that gets my parts for me" calls me I will let you know. :thumb:

 

[Sankekur]

cois have you priced the maf from diesel electric or goldwagen?

 

[Jobmeyers]

Try to get a price from sparxx.co.za.

 

[moranor@axis]

thanks Coisman please let me know mine is not as bad as yours... gave it a clean and now its seems perfect again :yuck:

what make is the maf? oem is VDO Siemens...

 

[Coisman]

imp:
The revs only goes crazy when I switch on the AC while the car is cold, so what I do is drive the car up to temp, and then only use the AC.
I will call Willem tomorrow and ask him as to when he is getting the MAF's he ordered, I will also call up Diesel electric, Goldwagen and Sparxx to get prices. :thumb:

 

[Twinz]

Whatever you do, dont drive 750Ks with the car untill the problem is sorted...:nonono:

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Hi guys, :wave: so I am at my spares connection now and he can get me the Mayer make MAF for R1,000. I think I will have to take it, and he will allow me to first test it to see if indeed that is the problem.
So moranor, if you like, call him, Willem 012 751-7243
My car is a 2003 325i

 

[moranor@axis]

R1,000 is not bad... is it not meyle?

the e46 323, 325, 328 all run the same maf :rollsmile:

let me know if it fixes your problem... my car goes hunting for revs on startup, but not very often... thought it was just down to the damn squirrels...

 

[Legacy]

R1,000 is not bad... is it not meyle?

the e46 323, 325, 328 all run the same maf :rollsmile:

let me know if it fixes your problem... my car goes hunting for revs on startup, but not very often... thought it was just down to the damn squirrels...

Are you sure its not a vacuum problem? I had a similar problem on the 318i which I thought was the MAF (well since it had eaten like 3 already) and after some searching found my crankcase breather pipe to have a hole in it and the pipe had basically turned into bubblegum. This accounted for my rough idle as well as a misfire.

 

[moranor@axis]

R1,000 is not bad... is it not meyle?

the e46 323, 325, 328 all run the same maf :rollsmile:

let me know if it fixes your problem... my car goes hunting for revs on startup, but not very often... thought it was just down to the damn squirrels...

Are you sure its not a vacuum problem? I had a similar problem on the 318i which I thought was the MAF (well since it had eaten like 3 already) and after some searching found my crankcase breather pipe to have a hole in it and the pipe had basically turned into bubblegum. This accounted for my rough idle as well as a misfire.

the thing is its so on and off i think it has to be an electrical problem (it only happens once every few months)... i replaced the two main pipes from the airbox to the throttle body... did not see anything wrong with the connecting pipes...

whats more strange is often when i move the maf to open the air box... the next time i drive the car it seems to give issues...

---

Legacy i think you may be right... recently the valve cover gasket started sweating oil... this can be caused by pressure build-up caused by a faulty PCV this would explain all the problems i have...