Hey everyone!

My first post here is long over due. I've been lurking on this forum for months now. I only wish that my first post was under happier circumstances.

For several weeks now my MCS has been behaving strangely. I've had the amber outlined CEL pretty regularly, accompanied by quite noticeable power loss. I had the code read by my local BMW specialist (he's a great guy, he replaced my clutch a few thousand miles ago and did great work) and it came up as "Plausible MAF sensor". He then cleared the code and my car drove fine for a few miles. It felt peppy again. Then the CEL returned and I was back to low power.

I should mention that I have installed an AEM CAI. That went on the car about a week and a half before I started to have problems. I consider myself mechanically Inclined, so I did the install myself. The BMW specialist double checked my work and said everything looks great.

For those who don't know, the AEM system uses a dry filter (it's just a rebranded K&N air filter) so I didn't just wreck my MAF sensor with an oily filter.

Finally, the strangest occurance I've had: Lately my car has sounded very odd. Almost farty or like a duck, for lack of a better description. Almost like when someone puts bad exhaust on a Honda. This sound hasn't replaced the normal engine and exhaust sounds, but drones over them. It is particularly bad when my car is cold.

If anyone has experienced these issues before, or has any ideas as to what might be causing them (is it possible for a MAF sensor to cause all of this?) please share your knowledge.

Thanks, I look forward to chatting with you guys and gals.