On the 1999.5 the mass air flow sensor IS inside a tube inside the box. It IS easy to remove, but you must remove 2 screws from inside the air box. And yes, use electronics cleaner. such as endust.

 

The MAF is inside the air box for a 1.8t.

 

check mate, I'm done...

Well ok, learned something else today!

 

dont worry, you were right about where it was on our 12v's haha

 

And on the 97s, we dont have the flap you are talking about. I know my friends 99 does, but mine doesnt. And the reason I went with a seperate intake was because I wanted to make more room to run a cai pipe down to where the foglight should be, so that when it rains, I get a ram water intake by hitting puddles.....for more power with water injection.

 

ok so then what is that little metal thing on the top of the box? and does the little flap in the bottom of the airbox open into the box? in other words if you ran a hose from that to the wheel liner could you make it so it pulls in cold air when it does open?

 

I dont know what you are talking about? The metal clip that holds your cover on? Or the metal piece inside the top of your airbox? That is your icm.

yes it opens into your airbox. And you will notice absolutely nothing by hooking up a hose to your fenderwell. The only reason anyone really does an airbox mod is to notice a diff in sound, or if you have a bt, to allow more flow. But on a stock turbo, I seriously doubt you are going to see any gains at all.

 

maybe because I have an 01 there is a little metal piece on the top of the box with some very small holes in it 2 or 3 (its flush with the top) but inside the box there is some metal grates? or metal pieces sticking out from it. maybe i'm delusional but i'm pretty sure thats what it looks like. what does ICM stand for? i'm going to search.

https://www.audiforums.com/m_191153/tm.htm

found it. now i just need a pic of this metal piece that i speak of.

 

Its nothing for 2000+ model years. On the older AEB engines, thats where the ICM bolts onto. The metal is actually a heat sink for when the ICM is sitting on top to disipate heat from it. It was probably easier/cheaper for Audi to just leave that as part of the air box than to redesign it without it in later years.

 

great thanks. yeah i thought it looked like it wasnt doing anything...