So I changed out my filter today and while cleaning the airbox I found this little plastic piece what looks to be part of a faster thread. No clue where it came from as I didn't not find anything broken. The dealer did just fix a check engine light issue which turned out to be a crankcase ventilation valve which I know is an in depth job so wonder if it got in there during that? Anyways I noticed at the front of the airbox right above the air inlet tube there's a small cut-out where the filter element is visible. Is this normal or should that be blocked off? It would be sweet if someone could quick look at theirs and see if it's the same.

 

So while investigating further to see if I could find where that broken piece came from I noticed the sensor with the clip on the back side of the airbox goes into moves up and down freely as shown in the video. Is it supposed to be able to do that? I didn't undo that clip when replacing the filter but I did undo the area where the wire loom attaches to a braket. Now I'm wondering if that broken piece has anything to do with that.

 

It's a "fir tree" plastic retainer used to fasten trim or wire harnesses. Could be related to the loose component in the video. Look for a broken or missing wire harness fastener.

 

So you can confirm that that sensor is not supposed to move freely like that? I looked around and honestly couldn't find anything broke or missing from what I could see.

 

I can't confirm anything without seeing it. Is there a wire harness fastener that is obvously broken, and matches the broken piece you found>

 

As stated, "I looked around and honestly couldn't find anything broke or missing from what I could see". If you have the same vehicle whenever convenient maybe you can try to wiggle around your sensor and see if it moves freely like mine?

 

Zip tie it.

 

Again, this very likely may be normal but I can't get anyone to confirm yes or no. It just seems people are assuming it's not. If anyone can check theirs it may do the exact same thing. That's really all I'm looking for. Maybe I'll just say f it and try to check one at a dealer lol.

 

You guys gonna make me go to a dealer and check one there? Lol. Would be super cool if someone could just quick see if their sensor wiggles too. Also if that little cutout on the filter box in the picture is normal too.

 

Bump!

 

On your video, it plugs in and does swivel action. The clip you broke while changing your filter, minimize the motion. I doubt it can't be good if it pops off, hence the clip that was there to hold it in place.

I hope this answers your question and you go replace the clip you broke.

 

Can you send a picture of this clip you're talking about? I was not aware of any clip being broken. Aside from that, doesn't the sensor need to swivel up to a complete 90 degrees in order to pop off? That arm extending out from the airbox prevents it from being able to do that.

Edit: At 2:25 in this video, can you show me where there's supposed to be a "clip" that minimizes the swivel motion?

 

If you are talking about the MAF sensor, it clicks in and rotates. If you think that is the design flaw, put a zip tie on it. In the video with MST intake install, all they did was clipped it on.

As for me taking a pic, I don't know what good it will do when the engines are totally different and location of MAF is different as well.

 

Ok, so now you're saying the sensor being able to wiggle up and down in my video is normal and part of the design? Before it was because of some clip that broke allowing more movement, to which I'm asking what clip broke because I'm not aware of any broken clip nor can I find any such clip in other peoples youtube videos. So back to my original question, can someone truly verify whether or not this up and down movement of the sensor attached to the airbox is normal?? I am not questioning any design, I'm simply asking will another c300 do the exact same thing.

 

Bump

 

I got frustrated just by reading this thread, so I can only imagine how you are feeling!

Just went out to the garage and mine does not move like yours at all and it's snug. There are no fasteners I can see, but I can see that it's held in position tightly inside the "little wing bracket" from a combination of the size of the plastic sensor connector and how the wire loom buckles back on itself inside the bracket opening. I hope the pictures I just took explains it better by seeing it.

 

Thanks a ton! That's exactly what I was looking for. Quick question, if you slide the wire loom out from the wing bracket then does the sensor move around like mine?

 

You're very welcome. Yes, it sure does... it moves/rotates freely without the "cluster" being inside the little wing bracket.

Good on you for paying attention to this stuff. Small, overlooked details like these can potentially lead to long term problems. I'd buy a used car from you, lol

 

Late reply, but yeah i can also confirm that it is supposed to swivel like in your video. The broken piece looks like the bottom piece of a fastener.... might have been broken off when parts were removed perhaps.