MAF Sensor Replacement - is it very involved? E300 TD W210
 

Mechanic tells me it's a 2 hour job according to the book, says he needs to adjust oxygen intake, adjust this and that....there's much more to it than just installing the new MAF Sensor (he says).

True?

I'm going to try cleaning the old one before I install the new one I just bought from Pelican. (yes, I am on board with Pelican!!)

thanks fellas, car has 218K, sometimes think about selling it...

was it showing a MAF code?

"Mine" was and it was running like *****.

A good cleaning did the trick.

Just had to go out a get a special torx security bit to take the screws loose.

Generally, replacing the MAF just involves replacing it.

At most, you would need to use a code reader to clear the error code.

The Bosch MAF comes with a new tube. No security bit needed. Just a Phillips head and a OBDII reader to clear codes.

No calibration necessary. Plug and play.

Your mechanic is full of s***

thanks fellas...appreciated.

Code Reader is a good investment, it sounds like.

You can rent on at most any auto parts store for free, just need to leave a deposit and return when done.

But there are some out there at pretty good bargains these days if you want one to have around.

Yep check the "river that runs through South America" I found one for $20 that does the job. Note that only the P0xxx codes have to be shared with a generic OBDII per federal law. Any P1xxx code is manufacturer proprietary and will not show up unless you have the official MB star tool.

It lives permanently in the glove box, this has saved me from limp mode more than once. If you do the EGR delete (which you should) then the computer fooling trick seems to make it sensitive to difficult starting. Like forgetting to wait on the glow plugs, or after changing fuel filters. It throws a P0400 and goes to limp mode (stuck in 2nd gear). My son botched the start once, and it was great having the reader in the glove box and being able to walk him through the reset procedure over the phone.

That's what I did and it's been working fine for 1000 miles. I purchased the scan tool on A****N and the MAF Sensor from Pelican.

total cost around $225
DIY savings of around $375 (my mechanic wanted $600)

literally a 15 minute job, glad I have the OBDII reader as well.

thanks for the help fellas!

After the message below from Alan McR., I gave the Pierburg MAF a try on my E300D. Have had it on there now for six years with no issues.

> As some of you may recall, our E300DT had a Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF or

> MAS) failure some time back. After some research it appeared that there

> is a newer MAF used in the CDI motors. The VW TDI community seems
firmly
> convinced that this part is much more reliable than the original Bosch
> part. The Bosch part is also nearly twice the price.
>
> Throwing caution to the wind, I blew $73+shipping on MB part#
A6110940048.
> It installs perfectly in place of the original sensor, though a security

> torx bit is needed.

good to know!! I'll try that part if mine fails again.

When mine went, I blew about 20 cents on a resistor and bypassed it...

^^^
Top Class advice.
KarTek knows his stuff :)