Pontiac Repair: mass air flow sensor, mass air flow sensor, mass air flow

Question
QUESTION: 2000 grand prix gtp 3.8 supercharged has had problem at idle. Running fine until today now it won't run. When you can get it started it seems to be flooding -- lots of black smoke and barely running, could this be the mass air flow sensor? It hasnt turned on the check engine light or service engine soon light!

ANSWER: Hi Robert:

Yes it sounds to me like the MAF sensor is going bad. Try this just unplug it and start the car and see how it runs. If it runs better you found the problem. It will hesitate with it unplugged but if it stops billowing smoke and running rough that what the issue is. Good luck :)


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QUESTION: Todd I had a recall notice on my grand prix for oil leaks on the valve covers. I was wondering if you knew if it was both valve cover gaskets or just the front one. The local dealership worked on mine. I have major leak on the rear one now so I thought I would just fix it myself but upon further examination I figured out it had never been off. Mainly because the water pump housing has to be removed to access that valve cover, the alternator bracket covers part of the valve cover, which is part of the front cover. I recently replaced the water pump so I know none of the bolts have ever been out until I worked on it. I bought the car new, and know everything thats ever been done to it. What do ya think? Take it back or just bite the bullet and fix it myself? thanks again for your help

Answer
Yes the front gasket is the only one the GENERAL will pick the bill up on. The rear one is a pain due to that brackey you mentioned. If your handy it's not that bad of a job. If not I suggest you take it to ge fixed up. It will take about 2 hours to do the job for a novice I would guess. Good luck :)