Mass Airflow Filter Sensor

[Pep]

Only had my (97) SLK 230 for 4 weeks and it started behaving very strangely, wouldn't kickdown, seemed to loose power, didn't like to rev above 3000 rpm.
I contacted the garage where I bought it and he said it sounds like the MAF has gone !!! :x to be fair he is (supposed) to be repairing it under warranty, trouble is he can't get hold of one from MB.
Anyone else had a similar experience :?:

 

[BillyBoy]

A very common problem on the Scorpio. It causes all sorts of wierd symptoms such as loss of power, harsh or irregular gear changes on the Auto etc. Assuming the system is the same on the Merc (which I think it is) the cure is normally simple. What happens is over time, the hot wire in the MAF gets tarnished with dirt and pollen etc that makes its way through the air filter and so the wire doesn't cool down as much as it should for the air flow and so the engine thinks it's getting less air that it actually is. The solution is to take the MAF appart and spray the hot wire a few times with aerosol carburetteur cleaner until it's nice and shiny again. Reassemble and you should find things run a bit smoother.

HTH,

Bill

 

[Mr Fridge]

MAF are easily available from any dealer, if not in stock available within 2 days a very common component to fail, perhaps your garage has seen the price of them and so is searching for a second hand one.

 

[stwat]

Does my 1990 190e have an MAF? Or is it just later model mercs? Cos ifso, it would explain a lot!!!!






Cheers, Stu.

 

[teky]

1990 has an air flow sensor
http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=249

 

[rakeshne]

Faulty Air Mass Sensor

I had the same problem with my Mercedes C-20(1999). It just doesnt take off. When I took to the dealer, he told the sensor has to be replaced and it will cost me around US$ 800.00. I did not get it changed there and later on fond out that the part is from Bosch. The sensor has both Merc part number and Bosch part number on it. I bought the part from Bosch dealer for US $250 and replaced it myself!!

 

[Pep]

Garage fitted new MAF last night (5 mins to fit) Now she is running like a dream
Thanks for your input guys, especially the tips from Billyboy

What happens is over time, the hot wire in the MAF gets tarnished with dirt and pollen etc that makes its way through the air filter and so the wire doesn't cool down as much as it should for the air flow and so the engine thinks it's getting less air that it actually is. The solution is to take the MAF appart and spray the hot wire a few times with aerosol carburetteur cleaner until it's nice and shiny again. Reassemble and you should find things run a bit smoother

If it happens again (not under warrenty) I'll certainly give it a go

 

[Ade]

From Tecky's post I assume my '91 230TE has an Air Flow Sensor too. Does it operate in the same way as a MAF? As Stwat says it would explain a lot.

 

[SCEE]

maf problem all too common!!

Hi

I had the same symtoms on me C43 AMG, and i was not very happy with 306 horses doing nothing. So a mate told me its got to me the MAF sensor and sure as hell it was. Fitted in 5mins and totaly changes the car from a cat to a beast as it shold be. Thanks and take care.

 

[EW]

I just had MAF changed in my E320 (650 euros!) and would like to know for how long the new one will operate properly. My car is 6 years old but only
56000 kilometers driven. What are your experiences of the estimated
lifetime of a MAF?

 

[mjtray]

I think a MAF's life expectancy all depends on the conditions you drive in and the servicing you undertake.

As far as I'm aware a lot of MAF's die because of contamination, ie dust and such like, so if you skimp on having your air filter changed or replace it with a sub standard pattern part you may be likely to suffer from contamination of your MAF.

I did read somewhere about a guy who cleaned the hot wire in his MAF with carb cleaner which he then carefully wiped off.....cured his rough running and avoided the expense of replacing the MAF.

 

[Ger D]

Hi All, Theres info on this thread about how to clean the MAF sensor. Anybody got a picture of the MAF sensor or advice on how to strip it down?
Cheers

 

[tonyc43]

c43 maf

where under the bonnet can you find the MAFon a C43?. I might try and clean mine but dont know where to find it!

 

[jberks]

The MAF (actually I don't know where MAF comes from as it is the Air Mass Sensor - but anyway) is in-line on the air intake pipe just behind the air filter housing. Its easy to spot - its the bit of the pipe with a connector on it.
However, I would follow the 'if it aint broke' principle as its very sensitive and you could just as easily bugger it up as fix it.
Just make sure you keep a nice shiny air filter. Muck can kill it, but then again the heater can fail too.

As far as lifespan is concerned, mine lasted 4 1/2 years and about 40,000 miles and it had a full FMBSH so the filter Should have been fine. (they didn't replace it in any case). My C220 is on the original one at just short of 10 years and 70k. I don't think there is much rhyme or reason to it, they just go.

I've since discovered that there are firms that recon them for a fraction of the cost of a new one.