MAF Clean or Replace?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2006 C230 & 2002 C230
MAF Clean or Replace?
2006 C230 110K Miles getting Check Engine Light for 2 codes, P2188 and P2190.
When I did a search some say cleaning the MAF sensor (aka MAS) fixed it.
Others say, don't waste time cleaning, replace it.
What's your opinion?
(I don't want to ruin the sensor by cleaning it in case that's not the cause of these CEL codes).
Has anyone had a luck with an aftermarket/refurbished one instead of buying from a MB dealer?
Even the aftermarket one is pricey. AutoZone quoted me $270 for a refurbished/aftermarket one and $310 for a new Bosch (OEM?) MAF sensor. I'm MB dealer would sell at even higher price.
Does anyone have any experience and/or advice?
Thanks.
When I did a search some say cleaning the MAF sensor (aka MAS) fixed it.
Others say, don't waste time cleaning, replace it.
What's your opinion?
(I don't want to ruin the sensor by cleaning it in case that's not the cause of these CEL codes).
Has anyone had a luck with an aftermarket/refurbished one instead of buying from a MB dealer?
Even the aftermarket one is pricey. AutoZone quoted me $270 for a refurbished/aftermarket one and $310 for a new Bosch (OEM?) MAF sensor. I'm MB dealer would sell at even higher price.
Does anyone have any experience and/or advice?
Thanks.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I replaced mine with a new one from Autohaus AZ for $250; many people have had success with cleaning theirs, but I had no patience for cleaning it, popping it in, seeing if the CEL comes back, recleaning, etc.
I'd rather just do it once and move on.
I'd rather just do it once and move on.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Sorry, spent 10 mins trying to find where I posted the code I was throwing on here, with no luck.
If a good amount of people here are saying that a dirty MAF is the reason for those codes, there's a pretty good chance they are right.
If a good amount of people here are saying that a dirty MAF is the reason for those codes, there's a pretty good chance they are right.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2006 C230 & 2002 C230
Actually only a few said cleaning did work in this forum (some said reseating the air box to the inlet of the MAF sensor duct fixed - which I already tried with no luck) . In my past experience with MAF sensor (on other brand cars), I didn't have much luck. Cleaning improved the poor running condtion of the car but never took care of the CEL - always came back on. Wonder this might be the case on MB...
Thanks.
Thanks.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Did you clear the codes and see if they came back? That's usually the best first step on a Benz; they have a habit of tripping up once, often for a reason that can't be diagnosed, then never come back on again.
Your logic is what I would use too on the clean/buy decision.
Your logic is what I would use too on the clean/buy decision.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2006 C230 & 2002 C230
Yes, actually this is exaclty what I have done:
Day 1 - When the CEL came on, I scanned it (too rich) and cleared w/o doing anything. The same CEL code came within 10 miles of driving, and the MPG was still low at 16-18 (used to be 24+ before the CEL).
Day 2- After doing some research, learned that reseating the air box to the MAF inlet duct fixed in some cases. Tried reseating the air box and cleared the CEL, but the same CEL code came back within 10 miles of driving.
Day 3 - After doing some research, learned that cleaning the MAF sensor fixed in some cases. Tried the cleaning and cleared the CEL, but the same CEL code came back on, but after about 30-40 miles of driving now. Also noticed the degraded MPG improved a bit as well, now around 20.
Just called AutoZone and they sell refurbished one for $270 and a new/Bosch for $310.
What brand did you get?
Day 1 - When the CEL came on, I scanned it (too rich) and cleared w/o doing anything. The same CEL code came within 10 miles of driving, and the MPG was still low at 16-18 (used to be 24+ before the CEL).
Day 2- After doing some research, learned that reseating the air box to the MAF inlet duct fixed in some cases. Tried reseating the air box and cleared the CEL, but the same CEL code came back within 10 miles of driving.
Day 3 - After doing some research, learned that cleaning the MAF sensor fixed in some cases. Tried the cleaning and cleared the CEL, but the same CEL code came back on, but after about 30-40 miles of driving now. Also noticed the degraded MPG improved a bit as well, now around 20.
Just called AutoZone and they sell refurbished one for $270 and a new/Bosch for $310.
What brand did you get?
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
C180 Kompressor Wagon
M271 is a different matter alltogether. Different engine management system from different manifacturer (Siemens-VDO vs Bosch)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Try Bosch (oem supplier) 273-094-09-48 from Pelican Parts, about $150.
You can clean these, but it must be done properly. The sensor is a thermistor pellet in a hermetic glass container. The sensor is heated with a voltage and the volume of air flowing over the thermistor can be measured by changes in the current flowing in the pellet. The change is quite small and a very high impedance amplifier is needed to measure it. The problem is that current can also flow through contamination on the outside of the glass. A finger print will screw the pooch. The CRC MAF cleaner used strictly according to the directions will remove greases, oil, and plain old dirt that interfere with an otherwise working sensor. The chemical dries to the eye pretty fast, but is still present for a little while. I put the unit back in the car and start the engine. The air filter will prevent new contaminates, and the sheer volume of air will dry it in seconds.
You can clean these, but it must be done properly. The sensor is a thermistor pellet in a hermetic glass container. The sensor is heated with a voltage and the volume of air flowing over the thermistor can be measured by changes in the current flowing in the pellet. The change is quite small and a very high impedance amplifier is needed to measure it. The problem is that current can also flow through contamination on the outside of the glass. A finger print will screw the pooch. The CRC MAF cleaner used strictly according to the directions will remove greases, oil, and plain old dirt that interfere with an otherwise working sensor. The chemical dries to the eye pretty fast, but is still present for a little while. I put the unit back in the car and start the engine. The air filter will prevent new contaminates, and the sheer volume of air will dry it in seconds.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2006 C230 & 2002 C230
Just wanted to update you all with my latest result after cleaning the MAF sensor.
The MPG of my 2006 C230 gradually and GREATLY improved over the last 2 weeks (about 3 full tanks of fuel) from the previous disgusting 16 MPG (when I had P2188/P2190 Check Engine Light on).
The driving condition was 90% hwy @60 mph & 10% city with A/C always on when the photo was taken.
I also did following prior to getting the above MPG.
1. New Bosch plugs
2. New air filters
3. Cleaned air intake & fuel system with BG Products shown below.
The MPG of my 2006 C230 gradually and GREATLY improved over the last 2 weeks (about 3 full tanks of fuel) from the previous disgusting 16 MPG (when I had P2188/P2190 Check Engine Light on).
The driving condition was 90% hwy @60 mph & 10% city with A/C always on when the photo was taken.
I also did following prior to getting the above MPG.
1. New Bosch plugs
2. New air filters
3. Cleaned air intake & fuel system with BG Products shown below.
Last edited by chazman; Jul 29, 2013 at 02:20 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Wow now that's some good mileage is that verified using good ole math? That said I don't doubt it I use to get 32MPG+ with my V6 if I kept the speeds down and traffic was not crazy. I really need to figure out why my car is not doing so well recently going to replace spark plugs this week as well as engine temperature sensor. If neither of those do it I think I may have to replace O2 sensors 
guess they can become slow after almost 200,000 miles and 12 years.
guess they can become slow after almost 200,000 miles and 12 years.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2006 C230 & 2002 C230
I'm not sure how accurate or inaccurate my C230's built-in dash computer is. But it doesn't really matter for this thread's discussion - because I used to get only miserable 16 MPG according to the dash display!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 6
From: Northeast PA-Poconos
2014 E350, 2006 C350 Sport(made it to 280k, loved it!), 1990 300E
Just wanted to update you all with my latest result after cleaning the MAF sensor.
The MPG of my 2006 C230 gradually and GREATLY improved over the last 2 weeks (about 3 full tanks of fuel) from the previous disgusting 16 MPG (when I had P2188/P2190 Check Engine Light on).
The driving condition was 90% hwy @60 mph & 10% city with A/C always on when the photo was taken.
I also did following prior to getting the above MPG.
1. New Bosch plugs
2. New air filters
3. Cleaned air intake & fuel system with BG Products shown below.
The MPG of my 2006 C230 gradually and GREATLY improved over the last 2 weeks (about 3 full tanks of fuel) from the previous disgusting 16 MPG (when I had P2188/P2190 Check Engine Light on).
The driving condition was 90% hwy @60 mph & 10% city with A/C always on when the photo was taken.
I also did following prior to getting the above MPG.
1. New Bosch plugs
2. New air filters
3. Cleaned air intake & fuel system with BG Products shown below.
I am glad cleaning did the trick. I would still pick up MAF eventually for a rainy day.
