1991 buick regal 3800 died out wont start

My son has a 1991 buick regal with the 3800 engine. he was going to work yesterday and it died out on him in town. i went and checked it out and it would try to start but dies out right away. I towed it home and tried again it fires like its going to start then dies out if i put the pedal to the floor and pump it it will run till i let my foot off the gas then dies right out. I let it sit overnght. this morning i went to start it. it did start and idle but it was loping.i I took a look at the maf screen and it was dirty and plugged. i cleaned it and put it back and started it and seems to run fine now. would this cause it to die out and not start. i also read that if the maf goes bad you cant clean it you need to get a new one. is this true or will this one be alright? jus bugs me that this will happen again.

thanks

I took a look at the maf screen and it was dirty and plugged. i cleaned it and put it back and started it and seems to run fine now. would this cause it to die out and not start. i also read that if the maf goes bad you cant clean it you need to get a new one. is this true or will this one be alright? jus bugs me that this will happen again.

Welcome to AF.

Just as a general answer yes. However, if a MAF sensor is bad electrically or internally then cleaning will most likely not help. The MAF wire element does get dirty and can be cleaned with MAF spray cleaner available at auto parts stores.

I took a look at the maf screen and it was dirty and plugged. i cleaned it and put it back and started it and seems to run fine now.
thanks
What kind of air filter is on this car? Very rare to see this TB screen plugged! Sounds to me like something is not filtering the incoming air as designed! :screwy:

I've seen the throttle body screens pretty dirty and near clogged but never completely. But I would say it is possible especially after 15 years of neglect or lack of maintenance such as cleaning and environmental/weather conditions. And I don't care how good the air filter (including religious replacement) or filtering system is but crap like fine dust particles, road dust and carbon/soot from other vehicles' exhausts always manages to get through. Plus it is compounded by the carbon coming back the other way through the throttle body. I clean the throttle body, the screen and MAFs on all of my GM cars at least once a year as part of a preventive maintenance plan. Better safe than sorry.

ok after it sat for awhile this morning my son went to start it again and it wouldnt start again. I pulled the plug off the mas sensor and it started. put it back on and it wouldn start so i took off the mas sensor and cleaned it with brake cleaner put it back together and it started. Is this all that has to be done? or do i need to get a new one?

thanks
garys:banghead:

Normally when you disconnect the MAF sensor and driveability returns it is a bad MAF sensor. Also, you could try while the engine is running the tap test. Gently use the plastic handle of a screwdriver and tap on it. Sometimes the idle will cut off or the rpms will fluctuate indicating an internal problem with the sensor.

BTW - It is not a good idea to use brake cleaner because it may damage the thermistor like components located on the wire element. Plus it leaves a residue. I use CRC brand MAF spray which does not harm the MAF and does not leave residue.

ok my son came home from work and it was ok went out an hour later and wouldnt start again. took off the plug to the sensor and it startedd put and baick on and it wouldnt. going to get a new one tomorrow. thanks for all that helped

garys:smokin: