I recently gutted my airbox and removed my MAF screen, now my car won't idle currectly. It hovers around 500RPM then dies. Otherwise it runs fine. Whats the problem?

sounds like you broke your MAF when you took the screen out.

I was very careful removing the screen. It was actually way easier than the screen on my '85 Z28's MAF. The car runs fine and throws no codes. It just wants to idle at about 500 rpms. The IAC would be the more likely culprit in my estimation, but it was not touched.

Gutting your airbox and removing the MAF screen shouldn't cause a bad idle. Could just be a coincidence. But IMO there's no reason to remove the MAF screen, it could cause problems at high air flow.

that screen helps to even out air flow if the air is coming around a bend. the sensor may now be reading less air flow that there really is and causing the engine to choke itself

unplug the MAF sensor and start the car, see if it stays running. if it does, the MAF is bad.

I would try putting your maf screen back in. Happened to me recently, although I had no problems at high speeds, but I have a ram air kit installed so that may affect something.

ANyway, when I took it out I had a rough idle, my car would not die though(unless the morning was chilly and humid, probably a totally different problem) and had some issues below 2000 RPM.
Replaced the screen and the roughness went away, idle smoothed out alot, still not perfect, but never was.

my .02
Dave

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'89 Camaro RS 2.8L
Recently completed projects:
- Removed accordian intake hose, replaced with ABS piping
Projects Under Way
- Remove and replace TB, upper and middle plenum with cleaned pieces.

ditto, i ruined a good maf that way.

throw in your spare.






you better have a spare

The conventional wisdom in TPI Land, where most of my experience comes from, is 'remove the MAF screens ASAP!'

I saved the screen, so maybe I'll put it back and see if things improve. Then again, I am not having drivability issues, and the idle does eventually smooth out (after the engine warms up?) so maybe I'll leave it alone.

at 300$ a maf and for almost -or no gain. is it worth the risk?

i did the same thing,{maf screen removel} and had the same problem,,, i just put the screen back in, and it went rite back to running great......