So I read there are alot of issues with the MAF triggering the check engine light caused by K&N CAI but its too late I already bought it. I really dont want to take the intake off and I dont have any engine or idle problems but the orange engine light keeps staring me in the face. I have cleane the MAF with MAF cleaner reset the cjeck engine light and it comes back on in a few days. I can I really tell if the MAF is dead? Any help is a ppreciated.

 

we had this same issue and we had to do the same thing as you by constantly cleaning and resetting. unfortunatley, we've had nothing but problems since installing the K&N and therefore it's getting uninstalled. our friend had the same issue with his 99 996 c2 and he had to remove his as well.

many people have no issues with it, but due to the ongoing problems with it, ours isn't going to work out for us. sounds like you may have the same fate with yours.

best wishes.

 

I've read (but no first-hand) that some of these problems could be related to over-oiling the filter element; even new filters straight out of the package.

 

Thanks Boxster girlie. Im Just hoping is the over oiled filter. I like the intake and the hour that it took to put in was worth it. For now there arent any issue with idle or stalling. Let see how it goes.

 

That is what i heard dscott. I tried cleaning the MAF but nothing

 

Omar

There is plenty written on this subject, search and you will find a great deal of info, some will be conflicting however.

I simply replaced the oiled filter with a AEM dry filter and a new MAF and all is well for the last 1000 miles.The car runs great and sounds great also.

palma

 

I have had no problems with my K&N after about 3300 miles. You do need to wrap the filter in newspaper for a solid day when it comes out of the original package. This helps absorb the excess oil on the filter. I also have been keeping the water sock over the filter since install. My theory is that any water making it onto the filter would suck more oil into the MAF. So far, so good....

 

This does seem to be a mystery as some folks never have issues, others never get it right...so there may be more to it (e.g., environment, driving style..). First new filters are over oiled to prolong shelf life. It is recommended by some that the oiled filters be cleaned with a mild detergent and left to air dry (I know it kind of defeats the purpose of the oiled filter, but remember they are over-oiled to start). As far as MAFs go, if they have fried, they are dead and cleaning can not resurrect them. Cleaning is a preventive maintenance procedure (to remove contaminants) prior to having an electrical surge fry the MAF. Now as far as the MAF frying being due to contaminants or the design of the CAI...jury is still out. Knowing how the MAF works, how air flows could be (IMO...IS) important. If the flow of air is irregular, the temp. changes from one side of the foil to the other can spike causing a surge in voltage which fries the MAF. How the air flows is a function of environmental conditions, filter conditions, amount of air, ecu commands (e.g., flashed)...so given certain circumstances...bye bye MAF in other cases they work for a very long time.

 

I dont use K&N filters any more but with cars that have MAF you need to wipe down the filter before you install it. The filter has too much oil on it from the factory. If you wipe it down or wrap it in newpaper you should be OK.

 

I've found the easy way to get around this is to just use an equivalent sized AFE Dryflow or similar filter that doesn't use oil. They flow just as well.

 

To answer your original post, yes your MAF is blown. If you have cleaned and reset it several times and it is still not working, the MAF is gone.

Order a new one and install it. Your system will actually recognize the new MAF and the Cel light will go away. A new maf is around $250.

 

Hmm...I just bought a '99 with a K&N cold air kit. I haven't seen any problems...but I guess I should keep an eye on it?

 

I just put in a K&N but before I installed I packed the inside of the filter with newspaper. It absorbed a good amount of oil right off a new filter. I was suprised.

 

I had a K&N in my 99 C2 from the previous owner. He never had problems with it. However, he never drove it hard. As soon as i got the car and punched it [5th to 4th] the CEL came on.

Then I decided to go the dry air filter route. The AEM one. Worked great at first until I decided to punch it again on the freeway. Dropped it from 5th to 4th gear and guess what? Check engine light came on. AGAIN.

My conclusion is, all of these filters suck. And not in a good way of sucking in air. If you don't drive your car like a sports car and you drive it more as a grocery getter, then you're fine. I like to push my car to it's limits every now and then. Afterall, it is a Porsche. I'm going to put the stock air box back in with a different waffle. We'll see how that goes. The CEL has become very very annoying.

 

Do you have stock airbox with different filter element? Were you able to see what code the CEL generated - sounds like something more than just an airfilter issue.