Azeteg

Now this is what the CLK430 is about!

I have suspected something being bad with my CLK430 for a few months, Rpm's over 5k felt awfully sluggish, Max gas at low rpms caused a bit of hesitation, gear shifts were a bit rougher than I remembered them to be.

A friend MB mechanic suggested I replaced the MAF, he was certain of that it had started to deteriorate, even though I didn't have any error codes in the computer. He told me that the MAF's on '98 and forward MB engines were worse than the ones before (while being cheaper), and that they aren't really made to last any longer than 20-30k miles or so.

I found a replacement MAF online for about $220, I just put it in myself (took some 5-10 minutes) and went for a test ride.

GODDAMN. This was better than I had hoped for!'

Something to think about if you are having rough shifts, some hesitation, and lower power in both the low and high end....


Cheers,

Martin

lowphat

Running sweeeet in Sweden

dennism13

Any help is appreciated.

Wondering if I may have the same problem. When I start the car the rpm goes to 3000 (sounds as if somebody is stepping on the gas at startup). Then it settles doesn to 1500 after initial jump. Finally after 5-10 second goes down to 1000. (Normally on startup it almost reaches 2k and settles to below 1k.

It only started happening a couple days ago, but has been very consistant when cold starting or after engine is hot. No computer error codes either.

One other thing I've noticed for a few months is my gas mileage has really dropped. Used to be around 28 mpg, now more around 18-20mpg.

A month ago I put 18's, was on stock 16's, and thought maybe this is killing my mileage.

blackbenzz

When the MAF goes bad the main symptom is hesitation and sluggishness. I dont know if your high rev has anything to do with it but it may. I have replaced mine twice int he past year (second one was free cuz mercedes has a 12 month warranty )

Azeteg

MAF's affect the whole range really, but it is more apparent in the lows, and the gear shifts.

The reason for this is that the engine decides how much fuel to mix with the incoming air based on values from the MAF, the gearbox decides when to shift based on the MAF as well.

/Martin

bs00clk

Azeteg - how many miles did you have on the car when you changed the MAF? Anyone else, how many miles before it went bad?

Azeteg

I had about 93k miles when I replaced the MAF. I bought this car at 77k miles about a year ago, so I've only driven 16k miles since I bought it.

But I heard that the MAF is usually replaced every 20-30k miles, and talking to mercedes friends, they seem to all have done so...

ProjectC55

Yep,just did mine:https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/105063-changed-airmass-car-beast-w202-c43-55-a.html

joeray

I understand that this is a do it yourself job, which can be done in about 5 minutes.

Are there any threads/websites which show/pictures or describe how to replace the MAF yourself?

thanks

ProjectC55

believe me ,it's a piece of cake.

Just lift off the main cover(depending on if you have the newer one piece cover or two piece cover it does'nt make a difference).

The air sensor wil be in the back of the mani.

it comes out pretty easy.

take it out ,I think there is a clip holding it in place.

Pull the mass out and put the other one in there secure in the clips.Put

everything back in the reverse order and you should be all set.

bs00clk

Just replaced mine today. Didn't really notice much change. Trying plugs next. Maybe I'm just expecting too much but at this point my CLK 430 is about as fast as my old 2001 IS300...

Azeteg

bs00clk,

is there anything special with your clk 430 that makes it feel sluggish? Has it been in this state since you bought it?

For me, replacing the MAF got me most difference in the high-end, especially when doing takeovers on highways. When you get stuck behind some slow-*** dude running 50mph on a highway, kicking down the pedal for takeover, the gearbox drops into 2nd gear and now flies through 5-6k rpm. Before I replaced it, 5-6k rpm on second gear felt REALLY slow.

Same applies to higher speed takeovers on 3rd gear (that would be around 90mph)

Replacing a perfectly working MAF will of course not help anything at all.

ProjectC55

Something else must be definitely wrng.When last did you chg the plugs?

str8ridin

..or the fuel filter. I replaced my MAF sensor and, after about 50 miles, noticed a big improvement in throttle response. I hope it's not the placebo effect. hehe

myNAMESterry

can someone take a pic of the MAF location.. thanks

superflysocal

newb question..

what is MAF and is this replaced during the scheduled maintenance?

myNAMESterry

MAF = Mass Air Flow

and

HAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILL NO

myNAMESterry

ok nvm.. i saw this when i was cleaning my engine bay. the MAF sensor can be found on the 430 when you take off your engine cover. it's located in the back where your engine cover would literally COVER and pretty much seal it.



u can buy for $264 on mercedesshop.com

ProjectC55

Or if you know someone who wrks for mercedes you can get it for 50.00 cheaper. Change the fuel filter as well.

str8ridin

It's about $220 on other sites. yahoo: MAF sensor Mercedes and some sponsored links come up where they are that price.

Co 55 AMG

Can you tell me were the fuel filter is?can it be done DIY or is it a B@#$%?

ProjectC55

On my C43 it's underneath the car on the passenger side towards the rear.Yes it can be a DIY project but I just let my mechanic do it.

myNAMESterry

i just checked my vehicle's service history and it appears that my MAF sensor was replaced under warranty.