I have been doing a ton of reading but cant find no real solutions..

heres my issue,
98 a4 quattro 2.8

I get the the misfires codes,, runs/idles rough smells gassy
so I have changed plugs wires I have not changed the coils becuase I dont beleive that is the issue

But when I clear the codes and unplug the maf sensor it idles fine
just gives me maf code
clear the codes basic obII scanner plug the maf in and we are back to
running rough... misfire codes but no maf code

has anybody came across this problem and actually solved it

thanks in advance

 

50 views and not one response...

wow

 

Thats an odd one to diagnosis because that is somewhat of a false reading since once you unplug your MAF the ECM defaults to the base setting for air/fuel trims and then only looks at the o2 sensors to gauge your fuel ratio's. It is very possible that your MAF is faulty as we had lots of issues with them during the early years, or it could be something else causing your fuel trim issues leading to the misfires. I would first start with a MAF. If that doesn't work let me know and we can go to the next step.

 

IN THE same boat as you my friend, except my car wont even drive WITH the maf pluged in.
so what ive got as helpful so far is the following

-CAM position sensor is bad (IMTHEDEVIL)
-Timing skipped a tooth (change your timing belt, pullies, and hydr. dampener) im in the middle of this as of now and i got everything as far as parts for a little under 300 i think if you want to takle it on your own its fairly easy pm and ill send you my DIY becuase the ones ive seen dont cover everything. ONE major peice of advice on this IS BY SOME TIGHT/THICK GLOVES cause you will **** up your hands otherwise.


-also check the ECU housing for water (top right black box) if there its flooded replace the ECU.


one thing you can try FIRST that i got from CRYPTO on this site (hes really helpful) is that your fuel trims could be off so unplug your battery over night and see if this helps

 

Have you tried cleaning the maf sensor?
Also the forward (pretty cat) o2 sensor on that bank (drivers) might be giving poor readings causing rich/lean mixture.

Usually I the timing skipped a tooth you'll be getting backfire and or a loss of power.. Plus that wouldn't clear when you unplug the maf..