I'm going to have to replace the airflow meter in my '86 max, but it seems so buried under the aircleaner box assembly, does anyone know the easiest way to get to it and remove it? Pics would be really helpful if possible, thanks!!!

 

take the air box out and then i think theres a clamp of some sort on the other end, just dont forget to disconnect the electricals too

 

I'm having trouble trying to remove the air box, I cant see which bolts are actually holding it in.

 

It's been so long since I pulled mine out, but there were a few tricky screws. The MAF is bolted right to the box, and then a hose is clamped to the other side.

 

There's about four of five screws/bolts that hold it in...

IIRC, there are three at the top that are easy to see, then there are
two under the airbox that are a PITA.

It's usually best to remove the battery to get to the bolts that are
under the airbox.

Becareful so you don't lose the rubber insulators as you pull the bolts
out of the bottom, they slide into a "U" shaped channel.

Hope this helps!
Scott

 

well i finally got it out and replaced the MAF, my max runs like a top again!, thanks to those that replied.

 

Question for ya, since you replaced your MAF, was the car having trouble where it wouldn't rev past 2k rpm? Did you notice any water in the bottom of the airbox?

S

 

Well its kinda strange, in times past when i've changed out my air filter I would notice a little bit of water sitting in the bottom of the box. This time, when my max was running real bad, there was no water, but it just wouldn't rev past 2k rpm and thats what led me to suspect the MAF.

 

why did you replace your MAF? What was the car doing/not doing? Symptoms? Thanks.

-Carson

 

Ah yes I remember that issue. Basically what happens is the AIV dumps water in the airbox. This water goes through the MAF and fries it....so the ECU runs the car in a "safe mode" which prevents it from revving past 2k rpm. You might want to disconnect the AIV hose from the airbox, and either put a breather on the hole, or plug it so no unfilter air gets in. It seem to be really typical for these cars.

S

 

Sarin,
What is the AIV? Is that the part you have your breather filter on? I had one on the same spot you had one but mine fell off now I am just leting it breath with no filter....the car runs much better/quiteter with it pluged does it really need to be open? Could this be causing my funny idle and problems on hot starts?.... After my intake install my car ran best with that part pluged, but I un pluged it because I was not sure if I was doing damage...let me know.
-Carson

 

Yeah it is, besically it injects air in the exhaust stream to help emissions. It's pretty noises, almost sounds like an exhaust leak, but it can also backwash moisture from the exhaust back into the air box....hence the MAF failure. I don't think it really plays a role on idle because it grabs unmetered, but filtered air.

S

 

Carson,

Aside from the engine not going past 2k rpm, the idle was incredibly shaky and when I gave it gas it would stumble and hesitate severely, and sometimes even stall out.

Sarin,

Thanks for the tip on the AIV hose, I'm going to have to try it and see what kind of results I get.

 

That'll probably save you from having to replace the MAF again. Even used, those suckers are expensive!

S

 

^^^ does anyone with an intake know the answer to this?

 

Air injector valve.
The breather you have should be plugged if your not using a filter with it. Nasty stuff lurks in the engine bay. Plug it, or get a little filter for it either way is cool.

 

pluging it and putting a filter on it are two different things. I am hoping I can plug it but I dont want to hurt anything. I know there is nasty stuff in the engine bay...I would like to plug it if I can.

 

Easiest way, removed the vacuum line to the valve, and plug the line with a screw. Then it will stop activating.

S

 

Thanks Mr. Dictionary!

 

thats a big screw if it can plug that line....I'll do something with it though...thanks....why do you have a breather filter on yours if it should be pluged then?

 

No thank you

 

I was saying the vacuum line itself. If you plug that, then the AIV will stop working. It's a pita to cap off the bigger hose. As for mine, at the time, I just put the filter on so it wouldn't look like crap having this hose dangle around (though the way my AIV and vacuum solenoids hang now....it looks like crap! ....but this was before I had the CAI). Either way, you can put a breather on it, or you can disable it all together, it really doesn't make a big difference.

S

 

I have a 1986 Nissan Maxima with a bad Air flow meter, I found an air flow meter off a 1998 but it is different,does anyone know where I can get a used air flow meter for the 86 Max?

 

Sorry 1988 not 1998.

 

can you take a pic of what MAF you have...because I have another one that I got from the junk yard....so I may be able to help you.

-Carson

 

I do not have a picture of it but I can remember that the one I got to replace it is plastic and I just contacted the guy who sold it to me and it happens to be for a 89-94 Nissan Maxima, right now I am just pissed and I need a 1986 Maxima AFM. But if anyone wants this one they can have it!

 

I have one that will fit an 87...its metal....then I pulled one that was off an 86-88 at the junkyard. Just let me know