Emissions issue question

Aug 31, 2014 3 Replies

I have a 2005 Chrysler Sebring with a problem with the mass air flow sensor which effects my emissions. Everything else about the car is fine but thi s part is over half a grand to replace. How will it effect my car in the l ong run and it will it eventually do damage to my engine to where the car w ill no longer function?


Take the part off and clean it with the special cleaner. That would probably work fine.

Depends on what is wrong with it. Often the MAF is good but a hole develops between the MAF and the engine. Duct tape can fix that. Maybe its full of leaves and dead rats. If you have to get a MAF, check RockAuto.

How does it affect your emissions? It could be one of these three:

  1. The light comes on the dashboard and so the emissions folks won't sign off on your car.
  2. Your engine is running rich, either consistently or intermittently.
  3. Your engine is running lean, either consistently or intermittently.

The first one is only a political issue. The second one is costing you gasoline money and is bad for the environment. The third one may well destroy your engine.

What is wrong with the sensor? It may just need cleaning. It may be leaking somewhere and a little RTV will patch it up. Then again, it may need to be replaced and there are some good rebuilds out there and some bad ones.

--scott

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