How To Deal with a Porsche’s MAF Sensor Failure

The MAF sensor, or the Mass Air Flow sensor, measures the amount of air that should enter the engine’s combustion chamber. This sensor is an important part of your Porsche’s electronic fuel injection system without which the ECU (Engine Control Unit) won’t be able to calculate the exact ratio of air and fuel that’s required for the engine to perform at its best. Therefore, it is critical to make sure the MAF sensor is working properly.

If you notice some of the following problems in your Porsche, it may be due to a failed MAF sensor. In which case, don’t take chances, bring it into a professional garage to be looked at. A failed MAF sensor can lead to serious problems.

Symptoms of a Failed MAF Sensor

• Sluggish Acceleration: If you notice a certain loss of power or your Porsche seems it’s lacking power to accelerate, it could mean the MAF sensor may be at fault.
• Car Hesitates or Jerks: If you notice your Porsche thrusts forward or pulls back in an erratic manner during acceleration, it may indicate issues with the MAF sensor.
• Unstable Idling: If your car is shaking or lurching while idling, check to ensure the MAF sensors are working properly.
• Increased Exhaust Emissions: A bad MAF sensor will cause poor exhaust emissions values.
• Visible Black Smoke: If you notice thick, black smoke from the tailpipe, it means there is improper combustion in the intake manifold and combustion chamber. This happens when the MAF sensor is not working as intended.

Reasons for the MAF Sensor to Fail

• Dirt and Grime: As you drive your Porsche, over time, it’s normal to get dirt, oil, dust, and grime to accumulate on your MAF sensor. This will affect the performance of the MAF sensor. For that reason, you need to have your Porsche maintained on a regular basis.
• Time and Miles: It is also normal for your Porsche’s MAF sensor to degrade over time. Simple wear and tear will cause it to stop working efficiently, at which point you simply need to change it.
• Damage Due to Water: In modern cars, this doesn’t usually happen. However, if you’ve driven in heavy rains and had to ford water, there might be a chance that water was able to get in contact with the MAF sensor. Water on the MAF sensor, regardless of how it happened, will cause issues.
• Damage Due to Oil: There are times when oil vapors from the crankcase will settle on the MAF sensor, and render it unfunctional.
• Electrical Problems: The MAF sensor requires electricity to perform its task. Any issue in the electrical system, from faulty wires to a fuse failure can cause the MAF sensor to stop working.

Diagnosis and Maintenance

When you see the “Check Engine Light” or the MIL (malfunction indicator light) activated on your dashboard, there is definitely something wrong, and your Porsche needs to be inspected. Only a trained mechanic can perform certain tests to figure out what exactly is the problem. For example, our garage, Francen and Son Foreign Car, has state-of-the-art equipment to accurately diagnose what the specific issue is, and with that knowledge, we can pursue a reliable and efficient course of action.

We will do a visual inspection first for wear and tear, dirt, and damage. We will look for signs of water or oil exposure. Then, with our computerized diagnostic tools, we will look at the error codes and make sure whether it’s just the MAF sensor at fault or if there are other issues impacting the MAF sensor. If it’s just cleaning, we can do it safely without causing further damage. If we need to replace the MAF sensor, we will make sure that the sensor is compatible with your Porsche model, which is obviously extremely important.

When You Bring Your Car to Us

We are about the experience. YOUR experience. Francen and Son Foreign Car has been around for several decades (1989), and along the way, we have learned a thing or two! We know your overall experience matters. We can confidently say our customer service is outstanding, and we guarantee your satisfaction.

Schedule an appointment with us for your Porsche. Whether it is regular maintenance, repair or you simply want a consultation, we are here to help. Come and visit us in Algonquin, Illinois.