1995 850 GLT poor running, bad Bremi off brand MAF Topic is solved

[erikv11]

... Well wish me some good wrenching, I'm about to remove tensioner and start over.

Good wrenching!

[vovo850]

Thanks again for the help on the timing, I believe it is good now, runs like it use to, good power it appears.
Couldn't test it out too much because it still isn't 100%
I do believe the MAF is going bad. It idled fine for a long time so took it down the road
went to turn around and it started acting up.
Cleared up and got her home.
Idled in the driveway for a good 20 minutes and than started acting up again.
Unplugged the MAF when it was choking and it kicked the idle up stayed running but roughly the same,
plugging it back in while it was running rough would sometimes result in a smoother idle
and sometimes no change. Safe guess the MAF is the culprit
It isn't a bosch as I mentioned in my 1st post but it lasted several years. So I can't complain much.
When times are tight what can you do, I tried a ebay bosch one prior and it lasted 30 days maybe.
Fortunately I have the cash to buy bosch this time.
If you guys think it might be something else feel free to add.

[abscate]

The changes you see plugging/ unplugging the MAF are complex but aren’t good diagnostics for the MAF. Most poor runn8ng is worn ignition parts and vacuum leaks...spend money there first if you want to keep spend low.

[vovo850]

Wouldn't those issues cause constant poor running and not intermittent?
If it's a bad vacuum, wouldn't it be a constant? Same with ignition parts?
My assumption could be wrong but I figured a flaky MAF is the issue, I've experienced this before with a bad MAF.
I guess that is why I assume that is the issue. plus the code it threw was for MAF.
I'm not ruling out what you are saying. I guess ignition issues could be flaky as well.

[abscate]

These cars have complex , interconnected control systems that can withstand a lot of worn parts and still run pretty well

I had a ripped open vacuum hose on my purge circuit that gave me a rough cold idle, otherwise a perfectly good running car, for example. MAFS rarely go bad, about 4/5 MAF replacements here with field Diagnoses aren’t productive

[erikv11]

Bad MAF is a good bet, especially given what you said in first post. Unplug it with the car off, drive it around. If that cures it, get a Bosch MAF. If not, you're going to need a Bosch MAF soon anyway. Not a good idea to pul/unplug while it is running.

These are cars are tolerant yes, but not of non-Bosch MAF.

[bmdubya1198]

Have you checked the diagnostic connector for flash codes?

[vovo850]

Have you checked the diagnostic connector for flash codes?

plus the code it threw was for MAF.

You can also read the codes I retrieved on my first post.

[bmdubya1198]

Have you checked the diagnostic connector for flash codes?

plus the code it threw was for MAF.

You can also read the codes I retrieved on my first post.

Gotcha. I would try swapping in a known good Bosch MAF.

[vovo850]

Got the new Bosch installed and it's idling right now so far so good.
I'll take it for a spin in a bit and update.
The one I took out was a bremi,(appears it has a date code of 2014 on it)
it lasted for a while so can't complain much.
It didn't look dirty but than I just pulled out an old bosch I replaced with the bremi it looked clean too.
It's been too long now so I may have tried cleaning it, can't recall now.
UPDATE: took it down the road, and it feels like it use to, nice acceleration, no hiccups, hesitation or anything so far.
Thanks everyone for the insight and help on this.
So weird to lose the MAF right after the timing belt change. But that's how it goes sometimes...