life expectancy of air mass sensor

[richard28]

My 1998 ml320 has 80,000 original miles. With the check engine light on, the gas cap good & tight and based on the posts here I expect the MAS needs to be replaced. I know this has become a very common repair. However, for how long should we, the vehicle owners, reasonably expect this part to last?

[DR.DIESEL]

Don't assume anything. It could be an O2 sensor or somethingelse. I have seen OE air mass sensors go 250,000+ miles.
I have also seen them go 250 miles. The biggest problem for these things is dirt and too much oil from K&N's.
Improper air filter installs will kill an air mass in a matter of hours.
They really have no service life. When they die they die.
DR.D

[hiker]

On my '99 ml320 with 71,000 it was the secondary air injection pump that was just replaced, that caused the check engine light to come on.

[elau]

My ML is in shop for the mass airflow sensor. The dealer quoted $513 parts and labor. Does it sound right? What happened if you don't have it fixed? Will the car just stop running altogether?

[Fast Robert]

Originally posted by elau
My ML is in shop for the mass airflow sensor. The dealer quoted $513 parts and labor. Does it sound right? What happened if you don't have it fixed? Will the car just stop running altogether?

UNACCEPTABLE!!

New meter costs ~ $250 from MB parts counter. Changing it required minor mechanical aptitude with a screwdriver and clearing the code does not take two hours, PERIOD. More along the lines of 30 minutes total time.

For that price, you could buy the meter AND a scan tool to troubleshoot codes yourself.

FR

[elau]

They charged $357.60 for the part, and 2 hours labor. My total comes to $539.57.

[Fast Robert]

with all due respect, the dealer took advantage of you.

[richard28]

I was told by the MB dealer that the list was $300. The dealer is entitled to make a fair profit, especially since they have to inventory so many parts. However, I ask this question: Is there really a list price that MB posts to its dealers & they must follow, or is the sky the limit?

[elau]

Yes. I believe the dealer took me for a ride on this one. On the good note, they did not charge me for the oil change. They even washed my vehicle and the loaner was a brand new C320.

[richard28]

It was my sensor that triggered the check engine light. It cost me less than $250 and replacing it took 5 minutes and a screwdriver. A very easy task. Oh, I had 81,000 miles on the car.
Richard

[roadsession]

Ok, it appears that MANY people need to have their Air Mass sensor replaced....So who will be the hero and post some detailed instructions with pictures?

And oh, after replacement, can the Check Engine Light be reset by disconnecting battery and re-connecting it?

Thanks,

[azinn]

Check out http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?postid=400780#post400780 for photo of MAF Sensor and price and ease of DIY replacement.

[roadsession]

Light is gone!
After a couple days of driving, the check engine light is gone.

[ljcml]

I had the CEL come on, brought it in to the dealer, and they found a small vacuum leak which was easily fixed. Total cost $20. Apparently any leak in the system such as a loose gas cap or bad hose connection could lead to this error too, so if the CEL comes on it doesn't necessarily spell disaster.

[RickM]

Just received this in my Yahoo Email...Sensors for $200...... http://www.saveonautoparts.com/catalog/european/airmass

I've never done business with this company but figured I'd pass on the info.