Faulty MAF Sensor?

[Colvs]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone here has some advice or experience of the issue I'm having.

For about the last 6 months, my car (2002 MK4 2.0 litre petrol) has gone through 5 or 6 phases of running really badly. These phases usually last 2-3 days at a time and then go away.

Symptoms are rough idle (using 3.2L/Hr of fuel when idling. Normally 1.3L/Hr)
Very bad economy (350km from a tank as opposed to 550-600km)
Strong fuel type smell that enters the cabin
Sluggish acceleration at times

Through a bit of research here and elsewhere, I've found the cause could possibly be a faulty/dirty MAF sensor. To test this, I unplugged the MAF and drove the car for about 50km. It idled at around 1.8-1.9L/Hr and generally seemed to run a lot smoother. At a couple of lights though, it ran up to 3.1L/Hr again. The smell was far less prominent.

Does this mean that the MAF is definitely on the way out, or could there be other things at work here contributing to the problem?

If it were the MAF, any recommendations on where to buy one cheaply in Melbourne?

Cheers guys.

[h100vw]

Scan with VCDS.

Replace things based on what you find.

Gavin

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone here has some advice or experience of the issue I'm having.

For about the last 6 months, my car (2002 MK4 2.0 litre petrol) has gone through 5 or 6 phases of running really badly. These phases usually last 2-3 days at a time and then go away.

Symptoms are rough idle (using 3.2L/Hr of fuel when idling. Normally 1.3L/Hr)
Very bad economy (350km from a tank as opposed to 550-600km)
Strong fuel type smell that enters the cabin
Sluggish acceleration at times

Through a bit of research here and elsewhere, I've found the cause could possibly be a faulty/dirty MAF sensor. To test this, I unplugged the MAF and drove the car for about 50km. It idled at around 1.8-1.9L/Hr and generally seemed to run a lot smoother. At a couple of lights though, it ran up to 3.1L/Hr again. The smell was far less prominent.

Does this mean that the MAF is definitely on the way out, or could there be other things at work here contributing to the problem?

If it were the MAF, any recommendations on where to buy one cheaply in Melbourne?

Cheers guys.

[dylan8]

Sounds like it could be a MAF, but there are other sensors or issues that can cause similar symptoms.
As Gavin said, best to have it scanned

[Colvs]

Cheers for the replies guys. Now to find someone with VCDS to scan it for me...

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

Cheers for the replies guys. Now to find someone with VCDS to scan it for me...

Might have a bit of luck if you post in here. http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f153/