MAF

[expatscott]

Hi I'm a newbie here..great forum.
I have a 2004 Citroen xsara picasso 2hdi. Had really poor pulling power ie general acceleration on hills etc. had read that could be MAF - so replaced..now replaced one problem with another. While pulling power has improved I am now getting awful puffs of black smoke (esp in 2nd and 3rd gear) and delayed acceleration at times - problems I never had with old MAF. Would be really grateful for any insights?

(this is second MAF I have installed as 1st one I thought might be faulty - but same problem)

thanks

[Hell Razor5543]

I would be inclined to check the air filter. Blocked ones result in poor combustion, with clouds of black smoke.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

[expatscott]

cheers..will do

[Lighty]

Did you fit a top quality maf? Easy to buy yourself another problem with the amount of cheap junk on the internet these days .

[expatscott]

Hi Lighty...you could be right...£30 of ebay..to be fair to them when the first one they sent caused problems described they sent another..but same problems! The fact that these problems didn't exist until new MAF was installed does make me think that's where the problem lies...but for two new (if cheap) MAFS to be junk? I wish I knew more about cars!!

[Stickyfinger]

You know about cars, but not cheap crap from China that's all......

Rule of thumb, if its a sensor, could cause terminal damage if it fails, safety device like pads/brakes/needs to be strong....just fit OEM quality (not what the seller claims it is)

[dnsey]

What happens if you put the old MAF back?

[expatscott]

Hi dnsey...if I put the old MAF back in (which I did in between getting second MAF delivered) the car goes back to its old ways - sluggish on inclines etc - however the black smoke and stuttery acceleration problems which only appeared with the new MAF disappear!

[dnsey]

Carefully clean the old MAF, check the air filter and try again.
You might be pleasantly surprised!