1997 MAF code: on roadtrip

[JimBee]

I had those symptoms a couple years ago, almost stalling at stop signs, exhaust popping and snapping on deceleration, generally poor engine performance and it was a vacuum leak. Tough to find though. I had a spare MAF that I changed out and it didn't help. It seemed like it was starving for fuel at the end when it wouldn't stay running. So I jumped the fuel relay and changed the fuel pump with a spare known to be good. Still no change.

Then, I found the leak: the skin on the back side of accordian air box tube had eroded and there was a huge leak. Changed it out with a spare ($4.00 from the junk yard) and was on my way.
Missed the state fair that year because of it : /

[mika]

...
4) make sure its not a vacuum leak (obvious)

what vacuum leak is likely?

This is off topic from the MAF discussion, just an answer to Xhearts question.


I can only report about the NA models. Besides visible vacuum connectors (like your air pump in the back, or the airbox vacuum conenctors, or the ones above the radiator for the check valves)... The likely culprit 90% of the time in my case is the one tucked hidden: left side of engine ( facing engine), over by the power steering pump, attached to the intake manifold, left side of intake manifold. You have to really stretch your fingers to reach it. It then connects to the nipple on the snorkel tube (on right side of engine) that attaches to the throttle body. The entire vacuum hose usually tucks under the intake manifold, but I bypass it over the manifold with normal vacumme tubing (leaving the old one in place) ...This is also the culprit that destroys PCV pressure on your NA, and often you can get away with not doing the PCV if you fix this. Anyway, this was not it on my car, but have had issues with it in the past.

If unfamiliar with vacuum system, start at the tree and work your way out. There is a diagram but it is hard to understand for a n00b

[erikv11]

That elbow at the intake manifold is a common failure point I agree, but a bad elbow pretty much always throws a p0172 code, not a MAF code. I think JimBee's answer points to more common causes for a MAF code - leaks in the intake.

About NA vacuum lines: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=65002