My montero sport 1998 (180,000 miles) have been stalling sporadically, sometimes dies when stop. No check engine light. Also when accelerate it throw smoke from the tail pipe.

I have done the following:

Change the fuel filter
Clean the throttle body
Clean the air flow meter
disconnect the battery for an hour a connect it again (let idle for minutes)
look for vacuum leaks

If i disconnect the air flow meter the problem gone and no mores smoke from the tail pipe!

Also f i hit the air flow meter it start to stall or die

Could it be an air flow meter problem or could it be something else?

 

If the problem is solved when you unplug the mass air flow sensor between the air box and the intake, then it sounds like you may have a damaged sensor. The MAF sensor in the full sized Gen III Montero should not be cleaned with the MAF sensor spray on cleaner, but I'm not sure what kind the Sport has (I think it's a vortex style in the non-sport models if my memory serves correctly.)
It's an easy, but pricey fix if that's all it is.

 

i opened the sensor and apply a little more torque to the 4 screws ( see attachment) , seems to resolve the stalling issue. still getting black smoke from the tail pipe when i connect the sensor.

im planing to order it from ebay ($80)

 

Update,

I replace the MAF sensor, still getting smoke when connect it.

My mechanics says it smell like oil burning ( seal valve issue)

the strange thing is there is no smoke when disconnect the MAF.

Any suggestion?