My Z tends to destroy the delicate circuitry in the chips of Air Flow Meters with consequent poor idling+ lean mixtures. As the pod filter is right behind the vents can heavy rain + consequent dampness play havoc with the air flow terminals? Should the pod be protected from excessive dampness. Are vented noses a possible culprit?
My AFM goes a bit dicky when there is heavy rain or the car has jut been washed. I run a FMIC with one of those border airboxes above, so have 2 pod filters straight behind the vented nose panel. What I think happens is the water and air mixture cools the hot wire too much, which leads to incorrect air flow readings, and incorrect air/fuel mixtures down the path. How do you know its running LEAN as opposed to rich, out of interest? My spidey sense makes me think that water excessively cools the wire, ie simulates extra air flow, which is met with extra fuel (ie rich...).
The AFM was tested as running lean after it was causing problems. Your comments would be correct during normal running.
I get the same problem with the vented nose cone. It runs fine till I go up to boost revs and then totally breaks down. I always thought it was water in the the foam filter getting sucked into the turbos. ?
It's not the AFM, it's moisture in the connector. Use some of that electrical grease in the actual connector and wrap the join with electrical tape. Haven't had an issue since.
Anything other than air will not be good for the AFM element. Water will make it oxidise and wear out the element faster over time but more importantly it affects voltage values significantly as you alreay know. This may sound a little like suck eggs but the AFM is also that sensitive that the manual states be careful moving it around or working around it. knocks can damage it so check your harness is tight and its not loose and bouncing around, particularly if you have been chewing them up. It had more protection when it was stock from water intake, so shields can help but Reverse Air Ram Ducts are a better way to get around it obviously. You shouldnt be chewing up AFM's You should change it so only air goes into it, but I think you have already worked that out here Regards Linda
Hi andy I originally had AFM problems then I used some water dispersant in a spraycan designed for electronics for the connector - worked really great, it literally forces the moisture out and forcibly keeps the moisture out then you just tape as well. Never a problem since as well Its worth having a can of this stuff around for things like that
I think shields will be the go. My vents are large + expose the pod-ok in dry weather with an extra ram of air but a worry in the rain. AFM shows no obvious signs of damage + static voltages always read ok, but as you indicated they are fragile + when you pry the cover of + look inside you soon realise their vulnerabilty. Stay clear of cheap AFMs. The genuine Bosch unit is available at about $300. The new unit cured all my idle issues instantly.
As people have mentioned though. The main cause of problems with AFM's are the connection from the plug(water carries electrical current, water in your plug = not good) And also the circuitry inside. The element will give wrong readings when cooled by moisture travelling through, but would not say, will wreak havok =p, so the problem may lay with the plug or actual circuit board in the AFM.
