The MAF sensor in the TVA will need replacing many times before
the TVA itself gets anywhere near being 'worn out', so fear not.
When the TVA is 'new' the surface is cast or machined smooth,
but when you clean it with a pan cleaner/scotchpad it will inevitably
leave fine score marks in the surface. Those very fine grooves will
obviously tend to retain any 'crud', so it will get dirtier quicker than
a new one ever would. That will translate into the TVA needing to be
cleaned on average at least once a year depending on the mileage
AND the type of journey/use the car gets.
Why not; as an idea; undo and remove the air pipe that connects to
the TVA and blast inside the TVA with carb cleaner every 6 months ?
That might delay a 'full' TVA clean longer than once a year.
I've cleaned the TVA on my daughters 1.3 AMT at least a dozen
or so times, and replaced the sensor in it twice (after giving it a
careful clean 3 or possibly 4 times). I now clean the TVA and
sensor in her car every year....and replace the sensor after its
been cleaned a minimum of 3 times, just as a 'precaution' even
though it might not actually need replacing.
However....that is not to say that the sensor is 100% the issue in
your case.
Have you tried a throttle/TVA reset ?
Insert ingition key and turn to position 1, so that the electrics are on
but the engine is turned off.
Press the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor (including kickdown
if you have an AMT/semi-auto).
Hold the accelerator pedal down to the floor for 5 seconds, then turn
the key back to 0 (off).
Now release the accelerator pedal and wait a minute or so before starting your car.
That's it. Done.
If that doesn't work, I'd suggest getting and fitting a new MAF sensor.
