Chevy question for mechanics

[jeffrefrig]

I have a 2020 Malibu, 1.5L Turbo engine. I kept getting the engine light on for the Mass Air Flow sensor. Several times I pulled the sensor out and sprayed it as good as I could, then I pulled the fuel air hose off the air flow damper and sprayed it out like "they" said. I replaced the air filter, but it was pretty clean. The car only has 3400 miles on it. I finally took it back where I got it and asked them to find the issue. $480 wasn't covered by the extended warranty because they said it was a maintenance issue. That's beside the point. The guy that I was dealing with said to use higher octane gasoline (?). Okay, I have a money tree out back. That work was done in October, I did fill the tank with the highest octane Sunoco had. Then recently, last week, I filled up with the medium octane. I still had 1/4 tank. Then the stupid idiot light came on again. That kills the remote start option. I have an appt. for next week. Yesterday I took it to Auto Zone to make sure it's the same issue. The 2 minutes I was in the store something happened & the light went away, but the history said it was the same issue. The manual says use the 87 at the pump which I did since I bought the car. At under 3500 miles, I wouldn't think this should happen. Anyways, have any of you auto knowledgeable folks dealt with this? I can't find the receipt but I'm pretty sure they changed out the sensor.
Thanks for any help. Jeff

Edit to original mileage: I left off the last numeral so it's 35,000 miles coming up.

 

[LVSteve]

The manual says to use 87 octane on a turbo motor. Hmmm.

Whatever, I'm having a bigger issue relating octane number to a mass airflow fault. There is no gas in that part of the system.

 

[rbmac52]

Let me suggest that you use "top tier" gasoline, exclusively. After reading up on it, I have used nothing else since.

 

[Ματθιας]

Reset the computer and clear the code(s). Disconnect the battery for ten minutes, hook it back up and drive it. Sometimes, that will do the trick. Use higher octane gas.

Or put black electrical tape over the check engine light and go about your day.

 

[ladder13]

Do you have a Costco nearby? Their 93 is equal to or within a few cents in price than most other stations 87 around these parts. It's also Top Tier, you kill two birds right there. Run a couple full tanks.
Buy some Techron and add it to your full fuel tank when you fill.

NAPA was running a sale on Techron the other day for cheap, and maybe still.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I would like to ignore the light, except ever since my 2000 Yukon I've had remote start vehicles. I hate the cold car in the morning and in summer I can turn it on for the A/C because my dog is with me 95% of the time. It's the beginning of the cold weather season. I'm just getting old and spoiled being retired for about 4 1/2 years.
I appreciate the help from all. That damper gets the yellow tar on it like a carburetor. It must be close to a gas inlet, heck it sits on the intake manifold and must get a lot of fumes.
Thanks again, Jeff

 

[LVSteve]

Poking around the Web reveals that the GM 1.5 turbo motor is notorious for sensor failures. My guess is you need a new MAF.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Poking around the Web reveals that the GM 1.5 turbo motor is notorious for sensor failures. My guess is you need a new MAF.

Yes that's what I thought they changed in the service they did last month. I can't find the danged bill! I know he said they took stuff apart to clean/inspect.

 

[roarindan]

A large application of "swap" can relieve your problems.

 

[glowe]

Get a copy of your bill from the dealer and a copy of the work order as well.

 

[pantannojack]

I played Chuck Engine light games in my 96 Bronco of 25 years until I changed the 3, 02 sensors and replaced the Fuel Pressure Regulator. At 282k plus it don't rattle smoke or complain. But most Chevy freaks just don't like fords. Seen any Blazers lately?

 

[LVSteve]

In my poking around the web a number of owners said using premium gas improves performance and mileage, especially in hot weather. My rule of thumb is where there's boost, there should also be premium. I tried running a Volvo turbo on midgrade and the drop in mileage ate up the lower cost of the fuel.

Chevy took a lot of flak from elements of the motoring press when they recommended premium for the turbo Cruze years ago. Lots of whining about non-premium cars shouldn't need premium gas. Sorry, but physics and thermodynamics are going to do what they do. I strongly suspect that with the 1.5 motor they gave it a reduced boost mode for the 87 only club, but it is probably quite a compromise.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Let me suggest that you use "top tier" gasoline, exclusively. After reading up on it, I have used nothing else since.

Why not use a gas additive like Seafoam?

 

[Oldengineer]

I'm not a GM engine design engineer. My wild *** guess is that the contamination of the mass airflow sensor is from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) that is close to the throttle body. I'll also guess that they know all about the concern. Octane has nothing to do with this. It affects spark advance and retard.

Tom H.

 

[LVSteve]

I'm not a GM engine design engineer. My wild *** guess is that the contamination of the mass airflow sensor is from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) that is close to the throttle body. I'll also guess that they know all about the concern. Octane has nothing to do with this. It affects spark advance and retard.

Tom H.

Oops. One website claimed that this GM motor suffers from excessive cylinder blowby. Should the PCV by close to the throttle body and MAF then trouble is coming.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[taz666]

yep, oil vapor works great as an octane reducer. Might give a vented oil cap a try.

 

[jeffrefrig]

"Seen any Blazers lately?"
I just got rid of a 3 year old Trailblazer. 3 cylinders of raw power! (Down hill.) It was 99% made in Korea. I bought a new Ford.
Malibu will be going in for service again next Wednesday. I can't be getting into a cold car!
I think the stock oil cap would be vented. It could need cleaned or just replaced.
Thanks for all the help. It isn't gonna kill me to use Premium grade gas. I'm not smarted up on fuel additives, and I've heard good & bad. We'll see next week what line of "shop talk" he gives me next week.
Thanks again.

 

[ladder13]

If an emissions check is part of your state inspection, and emissions related is the reason for the light, I don't think disregarding it will help.

 

[Oldengineer]

A few thoughts: If the subject engine family is prone to excessive blowby and the engine is chronically burning oil, the catalyst will be poisoned with a fluffy coating of zincpyrophosphate. This is an emissions recall of large and costly proportions. The other thought is that a small 1.5L engine needs very little idle airflow. Part of that metered airflow is from the pcv valve. In order to keep the idle speed down (fuel economy), and the crankcase pressure negative, the ideal pcv flow rate may be design compromised….i.e., too low of flow. A hole in the oil fill cap introduces unmetered airflow that is undesirable. The fix is a turbocharged engine with no/very little blowby. Think very straight and round cylinder bores and a ring pack that seals well. You have a pay for that positive pressure induction and higher BMEPs (brake mean effective pressure).

Tom H.