So I just received a MAF sensor that I picked up on the forums and I noticed a tiny tear in the circular rubber seal that comes out of the bottom of the MAF housing. I am trying to figure out what the function of this seal is, and if I can simply run a thin bead of silicone over it to hold the seal. Any ideas what this does?

 

Can you throw a pic up? I'm looking in the service manual, but it doesn't have the volume airflow sensor diagrammed.

I wouldn't think it'd be a problem if it's just for sealing, but the MAF on these cars is notoriously finicky.

 

You can just put silicone over the round hole on the bottom, that is all that is supposed to be there. The hole has a set screw behind that is used to fine tune the MAF from the factory, then it is covered with silicone to prevent tampering (just like they used to put lead caps in the bypass screws way back when).
If you look through the MAF you'll see that round protrusion coming up through the middle from the bottom.... that is the set screw, if you remove all the silicon you can screw it in/out to adjust air flow.

 

Very cool. I figured it was something that was not providing any feedback, but needed to be sealed regardless. Thanks for the reply!

 

Ya, technically it shouldn't hurt to leave it as is, since the plug fills the hole.... but there is no o-ring or anything so the silicone seals it completely in addition to the safety function. Just splooge some silicone on it and call it a day, never mess with the screw underneath it.