gOOOOran

Other 'conclusive' test show otherwise. Its been done to death. Of course I have not done tests myself, and you could argue some tests are biased or you could question their methodology.
I'd rather just be on the safe side and stick to better filtration of the paper filter, even if all these test are wrong. Also I dont trust myself not to over-oil it, which would result in deposits on the MAF.

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Air_filter.htm

http://www.offroadpakistan.com/blog/...rs_work_1.html

http://www.max-boost.co.uk/max-boost...0a%20Miata.htm

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/k-...ml#post3886876

silverd2

I'm not trying to sell K&N filters...I'd continue to use them, even if I believed they allow a little more dust through. Once things become so small, they are not an issue...I used to run air-cooled VW's with no filter at all and never sucked in a squirrel or had oil burning problems due to piston ring damage.

K&N's last forever, when properly maintained and I have never seen any evidence of damage or even dust intrusion on my cars, no matter how many miles.

The major point of my post was that worrying about the health of your MAF, which basically takes care of itself (with reasonable care...and even less filtration is within reason) is wasted energy. They work or they don't...not unusual for a device of this nature to go bad all by itself with NO outside factors.

Clean the throttle body, clean the fuel delivery system, keep plugs and 02 sensors up to date....IGNORE your MAF...if it's bad, change it...if it has bugs stuck to it, clean it...I have NEVER seen any need to mess with one on any car I've owned. If I get a code indicating a problem with the MAF, I'll check it out...often those codes are caused by other problems which "point" to the MAF...vacuum leaks, etc...


Peace...and do what makes you feel safe

gOOOOran

I think you are probably right, the MAF is a carefully calibrated device at the factory and if it goes wrong its unlikely we can fix it. I'm just cheap, and it hurts me to give Audi £120, so I like to attempt to see if cleaning it can help. If not, its a new MAF as you say.

pocketchange

O2 Sensors are easily cleaned.

A O2 sensor setting in carb cleaner overnight, works wonders.
pc