Having read with great interest the thread started by Albatross (
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1219699194/all) I wonder if someone can give me some guidance on the following problem that I have got at the mo (would be especially grateful; for input from Kevin W)
I have had intermittent problems with stored codes 0170/0173 being present that have not lit the EML. These have normally only occurred after a long motorway trip at (70 plus MPH and 250miles plus) and do not seem to occur pootling around locally. I have simply cleared these with my code reader. I should say that this has been when running on my Zavoli LPG system. My LPG installer (who for a change is one of the good guys) has recalibrated and changed the LPG ECU and then lately updated the firmware on it. I was awaiting a trip to Leeds tomorrow to see if this had cured the problem, but in the intervening time the mig seems to have developed a fault that may point to the MAF. The symptoms I have are that from a cold start the idle "stumbles and recovers" and when you try to open the throttle it will not respond, just chunters away with no power to pull away. After about a minute it will suddenly spring to life and then is fine, performance is what you would expect and no hint of misfire or anything wrong. Once warm restarts are fine.
I must add that this happens whilst on petrol, not LPG as the system does not switch over automatically until about 90 secs after start and/or when it is revving high enough.
From what I have read on the forum and elsewhere this could be down to the MAF, is this correct? In hindsight the idle has been a bit stumbly for a while, though nowhere near as bad as now and I have not thought the MPG to be too brilliant either. I have checked for any air leaks and cannot find any. Plugs were changed very recently so do not think it is an ignition issue.
Rather than pay £100 plus from the stealers for a new MAF I can get a pattern one from several sources on Flea Bay for between £32 to £40. Does anyone have any experience of these, are they generally OK. I don't mind shelling out £40 and finding that it is not the MAF in the end but would be rather mortified at over a £100. Is there any way of testing my theory before I shell out? I have read that if you unplug the MAF and go for a short run, if the symptoms have gone that will prove the MAF faulty and needs replacing. Again has anyone any experience of doing that?
Would welcome any input on this problem (especially from Kevin (grovel, grovel) who seems to be an expert on fuel trims et al
TIA
