tim_light29
Stilo Fuel Consumption and Stalling
Summary of the thread
The 2004 Fiat Stilo was experiencing excessive fuel consumption, stalling at idle, and the check engine light was on, with smoke observed during hard acceleration. These symptoms suggested a potential issue with the mass air flow (MAF) sensor, which affects the air-fuel ratio by measuring the air entering the engine. A faulty MAF sensor can cause the engine to run rich, leading to these problems. The suggested solution was to replace the MAF sensor, which resolved the issues, improving fuel efficiency and eliminating stalling.
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4 comment(s)
tim_light29 (community.author)
So, if the air-fuel ratio is off, is it running too rich or too lean? And is that something I can check myself before replacing the MAF sensor?
emiliafrank9
It's hard to say without diagnostics whether it's running too rich or lean, but usually it leans towards running rich when the MAF sensor fails, because the engine is getting more fuel than it needs for the amount of air it's measuring. As for checking it yourself, you could try cleaning the sensor with a special MAF cleaner spray, but honestly, if it's already causing those symptoms, it's probably on its way out. If you are not comfortable using a multimeter to test the MAF sensor, I suggest bringing it to a workshop.
tim_light29 (community.author)
Thanks for the help! After doing some research, it really did seem like the MAF sensor. Took it to a local mechanic, and they confirmed it. Replacing it ended up costing me 365€, but the car is running much better now. No more stalling, and the fuel consumption is back to normal! Thanks again!
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FIAT
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STILO
emiliafrank9
Sounds familiar. I had a similar problem with my Stilo, although it wasn't quite as dramatic with the smoke. Higher fuel consumption and engine stalling are classic signs of a MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor issue. The MAF sensor is what measures the amount of air entering the engine so the ECU (engine control unit) can determine the correct air-fuel ratio. When it fails, the air-fuel ratio is off, causing those symptoms.