Bad MAF Sensor Symptoms in VW Bora Need Fixing

Had similar symptoms on my 2005 VW Golf GTI. The performance decline matched exactly what you describe, rough idle, increased fuel consumption, and visible smoke. The check engine light came on after about a week of these issues. The MAF sensor was indeed faulty, causing incorrect air-fuel ratio readings. After cleaning the sensor with specialized MAF cleaner, problems persisted, confirming it needed replacement rather than just cleaning. The repair involved: Removing the old MAF sensor from the air intake assembly, Installing new OEM sensor, Clearing engine codes, Test driving to confirm proper operation This is considered a moderate repair job. A faulty MAF sensor can cause serious engine performance issues if left unfixed, potentially leading to catalytic converter damage. The symptoms you describe are textbook MAF sensor failure indicators. Worth noting that low-quality aftermarket sensors often fail prematurely. Recommend using OEM parts for this repair to avoid repeated issues. The stalling at idle and smoke under acceleration should resolve completely once properly fixed.

Thanks for sharing your GTI experience. Those symptoms match mine perfectly. Always good to get confirmation before spending money on repairs. Did you get it fixed at a dealer or independent shop? Would be helpful to know roughly what you paid and if you had any other issues pop up since the repair. My mechanic quoted a pretty high price and I want to make sure Im not getting overcharged again. The check engine light and poor fuel economy are really starting to worry me.

Just got back from having this exact repair done last week at an independent shop. The sensor failure was definitely the culprit, everything runs perfectly now with no more stalling or smoke issues. Total cost was 365€ for the complete MAF sensor replacement, which included parts and labor. Since fixing the faulty MAF sensor, fuel consumption has returned to normal and the engine idles smoothly. The air intake system is working as intended and the check engine light has stayed off. The performance decline issues completely disappeared after the repair. Worth every cent compared to the hassle of dealing with constant stalling and poor engine performance. The mechanic showed me the old sensor and you could clearly see the wear that was causing the incorrect readings. Much better to fix it properly than risk additional engine problems down the line. Going the independent shop route saved quite a bit compared to dealer quotes, but made sure they used genuine OEM parts. No other issues have come up since the repair, running like new now.

I appreciate everyones input. Just got back from getting the MAF sensor replaced and wanted to share my experience. Found a well-reviewed independent shop that diagnosed the problem quickly. They confirmed the mass air flow sensor failure and replaced it with a genuine OEM part. Total repair came to 320€, which seemed fair considering the symptoms are completely gone. The engine runs perfectly now, no more stalling, normal fuel consumption, and the check engine light is off. The air-fuel ratio is back to normal and acceleration is smooth with no smoke. The mechanic actually showed me the corroded contacts on the old sensor that were causing the bad readings. Really glad I got proper confirmation here before going ahead with the repair. The whole job took about 2 hours and the difference in performance is night and day. For anyone dealing with similar issues, definitely worth getting it properly diagnosed and fixed rather than letting it get worse. A reputable shop using quality parts makes all the difference.