What sort of problems should I experience with a dirty or damaged MAF sensor?

 

A dirty MAF can cause a poor idle, poor performance, poor gas mileage and more. Cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner will restore it. If your MAF sensor is damaged I'd be surprised if your car was even running. It is a very critical piece to the motor.

 

Thanks. It has been bucking a bit at lower speeds. The engine ckeck light goes on and off. No problem at highway speeds. I noticed the engine check light and bucking after installing the CAI. Hopefully it is only the MAF.

 

Did you keep the MAF screen when installing the CAI? Did you over-oil your air filter?

 

Just wanted to follow up. I cleaned the MAF sensor yesterday. It appears as if there was something very small on the wires. It almost looked as if it was a small fly's wing. Anyway cleaned everything up and my car runs ticketyboo. Nice to have a cheap 7$ fix.