maf sensor problem - please help first post!! need advice

[marcgtimk5bott]

hi there

this is my first post and hope people can help
i own a mk5 golf gti 2.0t fsi 2005 i have recently serviced my car myself after having lack of power over the last month or so. 
i changed the oil, oil filter and air filter and i still have the same problem.

so i then unplugged the mass air flow sensor and i could feel the difference immediately the car felt brand new again.  i plugged it back in and it still feels much better is this because it has reset itself and is it likely to go back to loss of power over a few days?

so i have a couple of questions.

1.  can i leave it unplugged for now or will this cause problems?
2.  if i need to replace myself is it easy enough to do?
3.  can i clean the maf sensor?
4.  any recommendations where to buy a new or recon one from?
5.  any other hints or advice

im sorry for all the qustions its just really starting to bug me now and i just want the performance back fiestas and focuses are going to start over taking me if i dont get this sorted soon. 

thanks in advance

[broken-passat]

with out it fuel consumption goes up and you will still not have full power  , about 90% i spoze.
sometimes they can get dirty , so could be cleaned with break cleaner or electrical cleaner ( this has worked on older ones for me)
but you might have to replace it , and i would have thought you could just plug in play . do'nt quote me on that thou.
cost - millions , naa du no mate?

[ar-motor-repairs]

9 times out of 10 you can clean them up have you checked that is clean

some times you can plug and play but would be worth doing an computer scan on it as you may have a fault  code on there that may help you find the problem

thanks
Aaron

[rickar]

I concour with Aaron, give it a good clean, with carb or brake cleaner, or ideally an electrical cleaner.
However, be very careful when removing the sensor, as they can be damaged very easily. Also, once cleaned, the fault(s) stored in the memory need to be cleared, so that you can monitor if the cleaning has sorted the problem.
Hope it works...

[bazlynz03]

Hello,

Mine has the same problem....tho mine has been cutting out when i have been driving when im slowing down, coming to a stop.  could the maf sensor be the same fix for this does anyone think?

Also where exactly is the maf sensor???


cheers

[bazlynz03]

soz i have a MK4 Golf GTI Turbo 1.8 2001