Swift Diesel MAF Sensor Issue, Smoke, Stalls & Solutions

Had the exact same symptoms on my 2003 Swift diesel. Performance decline and fuel economy were terrible, classic mass air flow sensor problems. Started noticing black smoke, rough idling, and the engine warning light came on. First tried cleaning the air filter and MAF sensor with specialized cleaner, but that only helped temporarily. The air-fuel ratio stayed off and problems returned after a week. Finally took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty MAF sensor. Total repair was 365€ including labor and parts. Took about 2 hours to complete. The difference after replacement was immediate, smooth idle, proper acceleration, and fuel consumption back to normal. To give more specific advice about your case, could you share: Current mileage, When you last changed the air filter, Any recent engine work done, Whether diagnostic codes have been read, If problems started suddenly or gradually With these details, we can better determine if your symptoms match my experience and whether a MAF sensor replacement is the right fix.

Thanks for sharing those details. My Swift has 6426 KM and the last service was just 2 months ago where they changed the air filter. The check engine light and issues started quite suddenly last week. The symptoms match exactly what you described, especially the air-fuel ratio problems and black smoke. Since the air intake system was recently serviced, I suspect the MAF sensor is indeed failing. The price you mentioned seems reasonable. Will try a MAF sensor cleaning first since its a low-cost option, but will prepare for full replacement if needed to restore proper fuel economy and performance.

Thanks for the additional info about your Swift. The low mileage and recent air filter change make me even more confident its a MAF sensor issue. When my sensor failed, the symptoms appeared suddenly just like yours. Though cleaning sometimes works, my experience with the Swift showed the sensor usually needs replacement when these symptoms cluster together, especially the combo of check engine light, poor air-fuel ratio, and visible smoke during acceleration. A quick tip from my repair: make sure the workshop checks the air intake system for any small leaks while replacing the MAF sensor. My mechanic found a minor vacuum leak that was contributing to the engine stalling at idle. Fixing both issues at once saved money in the long run. The sensor failure symptoms matched the diagnostic codes in my case (P0100-P0104). Would be worth getting those codes read first, just to be 100% certain before proceeding with repairs. If cleaning doesnt resolve the sensor failure within a few days, go ahead with replacement. The improvement in performance and fuel economy will offset the cost quickly.

Thanks for all that detailed feedback. Looking at my recent service records, I forgot to mention I also got the spark plugs changed during that service 2 months ago. The diagnostic codes from my OBD reader show P0102, which confirms the mass air flow sensor circuit issue you mentioned. Given everything matching up, the sudden onset, black smoke, engine stalling at idle and matching error codes, I will go ahead with cleaning the MAF sensor tomorrow. The fuel economy has gotten so bad that I cant wait much longer to address this. If the cleaning doesnt stick, at least I know what to expect cost-wise for the replacement. Good tip about checking for vacuum leaks too, will definitely have them inspect the entire air intake system while they are at it. Really hoping to get back to normal performance and fuel consumption soon.