missfwank

I just bought a 97 C280 and the check engine light came on (great, huh?). After taking the car to get the codes pulled (Code P0170 popped up) I was told that I had a serious fuel leak and with parts and labor it would run about 150 bucks to fix...no biggee. THEN they told me I also needed my air mass meter fixed. Parts and labor about 700 bucks. (At first, they told me the part was only 400..then later they said it would be 505..why the change?!...and how much does it really cost?)

Does the Air Mass Meter really need to be fixed? I have no problem paying to get the fuel leak fixed but that extra 700 is making me wonder.

I appreciate any advice that saves me money!

sph17

You might want to check with a dealer to see if the air mass meter is considered "emissions" related. There is an 8 year or 80,000 mile Federal Emissions warranty on auto items that relate to keeping the air clean (like cats). If it is emissions related, then you might have your repair picked up at a MB dealer by MB compliments of Uncle Sam.

missfwank

Thank you! Great suggestion and I did some calling. I was told that the air mass meter fell into the 2yr/24,000 mile warranty. I found this article on the web that explains with a little more detail...

"The performance warranty requires the vehicle maker to warrant that the vehicle will comply with applicable emissions requirements as tested under state vehicle emissions inspection programs for the warranty periods specified in the law (for model year 1995 and later vehicles, the warranty is 2 years/24,000 miles for all emissions-related parts and 8 years/80,000 miles for the catalytic converter, electronic emissions control unit and on-board diagnostic device). The performance warranty is conditioned on the vehicle being properly maintained and operated."

And I did ask if the air mass meter fell into the "electronic emissions control unit" and was told that it did not.

Again, great suggestion and thank you!

tpliquid

heh dats how much i paid for a new meter...or u can get it off online for like 250 usd

Jefnes3

SAVE YOUR MONEY...

how does your car 'run' now with the CE light on?

test to see if you 'need' a new MAF:
with the car idleing:

unplug the MAF.
how does the car run? did it die? keep running? what?

if car is still running plug MAF back in.

unplug TB.
how does the car run? did it die? keep running? what?

The ECU uses TPS and the MAF to calulate engine load,
but will 'run' if one dies. So you won't be stranded
should one fail. BUT the ECU need at least ONE to work.

So if you unplug the 'good' one (assuming either is bad)
the engine will shut off. If you have to unplug BOTH
to kill the engine then BOTH are good.

Your service guy sounds fishy to me.
Besides,'fuel leak'. IF you had a real fuel leak:
1. you would smell it, see it leaking on the ground something or
(has your fuel been leaking for sometime before you took it to service?)
2. you'd have a burnt car by now.

About being 'emissions' related:
the MAF is absolutely emissions system related. It measures the
air entering your car so the ECU can deliver the proper amount of fuel....not covered on a 1997 car.

How about a HUGE recall on VW 2L MAF's made by bosch?
This recall 'lets' you buy a NEW maf from the dealer for ~$40
if yours should fail. The original price is ~$300. This is VIN specific though.

Jeffrey Atwood

timecop369

Air Mass Meter is $239.60 on www.importec.com w/ free shipping & no tax. Install it yourself... a couple clamps. This is OEM parts so save yourself some dough.

I agree about the fuel leak... hmmm fishy.... replace the air mass meter and get the engine light reset. If it comes on again... then you might have a fuel leak. Odds are it's just a bad air mass meter... that happened to my '99 C280 also.

timecop369

narci

The reason why the mechanic said it's a fuel problem and a MAS problem is because he's lazy to properly check or he's ripping you off.

The code p0170 generates 2 problem areas, fuel trim (i think it was) and MAS.

99% of P0170 codes are MAS related and NOT fuel related.

Do not goto the dealer to get this fixed. Save yourself half the price of the dealer cause a C36 MAS is about 300 or so USD. The C280 one does not fit cause the plug is different.

It takes all of 5 min to take off the old MAS and put on a New one.

sunrat

Hey i tried taking off the sensor when i let the car start and it was still working? So, it seems like it isnt my MAF with my CEL, but the code didnt say anything about the oxy sensor. what can be the problem? Any other type of errors?

gsaran

"unplug TB.
how does the car run? did it die? keep running? what?"

What is TB?

Thanks.

sunrat

I think the Tb is the THrottle body??? where is that located right after the MAS?? I unplugged both of mine and the car was still running ( just unplugged the sensors)

GDawgC220

if it's the MAS, seriously, it's a 5 minutes do it yourself job. Just a couple of clamps, take off, put back on. Simple, done. Dealers charge about $650 to do a 5 min job with a $250-$300 part.

Search on the forum, some members have described how to do it, but just take a look under the hood and you'll see what i mean.

Good luck.

mjtray

I agree with GDawag........its such an easy job. On a skill level its as easy as changing a fuse.