Found a slight hiccup.

The idle is hunting around but when I unplug the MAF sensor she goes VERY smooth.

I'm scared to drive it without it as it can cause rich or lean mixture but I suppose a faulty MAF can do the same.

Is it safe to open and clean?
with what?
how do I open it?

When you disconnect the MAF, the ECU probably goes into open loop with preset values. The idle issue may be caused by a dirty IAC valve. Remove it and clean the tip and the bore, but don't spray anything in the bore - just put some carb cleaner on a rag and wipe it clean.

You should also check for vacuum leaks and check the EGR system operation. Check the TPS action with an ohmmeter to make sure the throttle cable is set correctly and the TPS is reading as it should.

Another suspect is the coolant temperature sender that's mounted on the thermostat water box. A bad signal to the ECU will cause a mixture problem.

Frank

tps will cause a hunting idle if misadjusted.

Thanks guys. Checked the FSM and adjusted the TPS.

Seems a lot better now from cold to operating temp at idle. Will see when I go for a drive again.

The egr is blanked off and the throttle body spent a week in degreaser with occasional toothbrushing ( electrics was removed prior ) and a months drying time so it's sparkly clean.

I also wanted to know why there is a container dangling from the intake tube between the MAF and throttle body?

I have a wild theory that I don't want to air <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> but would like to know from the pros.

I haven't found it in the FSM anywhere.

It sounds like it might be a prior owner's idea of a coalescing crankcase filter - a catch can for crankcase oil vapors. Can you post a picture?

Frank

Here it is. It is just a suspended 'bottle' with the top open. there is nothing inside and there is nothing connected to it. the top is just open to the intake pipe.

Water grabber to avoid hydrolock?

My 1998 has two on the hose and three on the air box. I was told they are for water egress. They do have a small hole in the bottom, to drain I guess.

This has no hole - it would cause a vacuum leak I suppose.

But the guess being a water trap is probably right.

I'm sure it's there for a reason, I was just v=curious why it's there.

Thanks.