Anyone know anything about mass airflow sensors?

[Nute]

I've come to the conclusion that I can't delete this thing. I think it's made by Bosh, it's on my BMW, originally housed in an ugly plastic box between the intake filter and the induction manifold. Appears to have a spring loaded metal flap in it which is opened progressively as airflow increases, I assume to vary the timing.

It was originally mounted so that the pivot spindle around which the flap rotates was vertical, so the flap thing moved on the horizontal plane - not influenced by gravity. Any idea if I can rotate it so the spindle is horizontal and the flap thing will move in the vertical plane? The flap thing doesn't have much mass and it still closes against the stop when rotated. 

[Catteeclan]

9 hours ago, Nute said:

I've come to the conclusion that I can't delete this thing. I think it's made by Bosh, it's on my BMW, originally housed in an ugly plastic box between the intake filter and the induction manifold. Appears to have a spring loaded metal flap in it which is opened progressively as airflow increases, I assume to vary the timing.

It's measuring the amount of air being drawn into the engine. It sends a varied voltage to the ECU which can adjust the fuel trim and timing. Not something you can do without.
 

9 hours ago, Nute said:

It was originally mounted so that the pivot spindle around which the flap rotates was vertical, so the flap thing moved on the horizontal plane - not influenced by gravity. Any idea if I can rotate it so the spindle is horizontal and the flap thing will move in the vertical plane? The flap thing doesn't have much mass and it still closes against the stop when rotated. 

It could influence the running but couldn't say how much.

This a kit car project or something?

[Nute]

Thanks, it’s on a BMW K100 so bike not a car.
 

It’s big and ugly so was looking to get rid but changing its orientation will help. I’ll just try it and see I guess. 

[Buckster]

Yes you can rotate it. There are airbox delete kits or there used to be that had a 90 degree bend pipe that also required the sensor to be rotated.

[Nute]

Thanks @Buckster, Seen the delete kits for the 16v versions but mine is an 8 so apparently they don't work due to the different fuel injection controls, so I have to keep the sodding thing. Ill try it rotated and see what happens

[Buckster]

20 minutes ago, Nute said:

Thanks @Buckster, Seen the delete kits for the 16v versions but mine is an 8 so apparently they don't work due to the different fuel injection controls, so I have to keep the sodding thing. Ill try it rotated and see what happens

Deleting it is a pain because you then need to have the fuel management reprogrammed and even then they tend to run like crap, you can service the unit though if it gives problems.