Mass Air Flow Sensor HELP!!!
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Mass Air Flow Sensor HELP!!!
My check engine light was on for about a week and I brought it just to an auto repair place and he said that my fuel (filter/injector?) was clogged pretty badly and it needed to be replaced. He replaced and charged me $160. Everything was fine until the next morning when I drove it to work. I brought it in again and he said that it was reading a fuel trim problem and than that I needed a mass air flow sensor. It has been idling rough and hasn’t had that much power. He won’t charge me labor, but after tax about $480 for the part. He said it’s an easy fix, does anyone know how I can do this myself…specifically? Not as though girls are incompetent, but I am a female and I’m pretty clueless when it comes to cars. Can someone help me out and explain it well enough so I can sucker a guy friend into fixing/can someone help me fix it (Costa Mesa, CA)? Thanks everyone!
Tara
97 E320
Tara
97 E320
Out Of Control!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 21,014
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From: CA, NV, CO
Hi Tara,
Think someone has already posted a Do It Yourself on this subject. Can't remember who and it was sometime ago. You might want to do a search on Mass Air Flow or MAF and see what comes up.
Btw welcome to the forum!
Think someone has already posted a Do It Yourself on this subject. Can't remember who and it was sometime ago. You might want to do a search on Mass Air Flow or MAF and see what comes up.
Btw welcome to the forum!
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Is this it?
thanks!
Is this how it's done?
Replace the MAF sensor (aka Mass air flow meter):
1: Remove the snorkels that go from the front grill area to your intake housing. These simply snap off and out.
2: Lift your engine cover off of your engine. There are 4 clips holding your cover down. Simply just pull up and they will detach.
3: On the back portion of your intake (behind the engine, where your intake housing connects to the engine, you will see the MAF sensor. Using a flat head screwdriver, unclip the metal clip on the back of the MAF and then unclip the plastic clips on the front.
4: Unplug the wire on the right and place it somewhere where you will find it again. Then gently pull the MAF out of it’s place and reverse the directions to put it back together.
Is this how it's done?
Replace the MAF sensor (aka Mass air flow meter):
1: Remove the snorkels that go from the front grill area to your intake housing. These simply snap off and out.
2: Lift your engine cover off of your engine. There are 4 clips holding your cover down. Simply just pull up and they will detach.
3: On the back portion of your intake (behind the engine, where your intake housing connects to the engine, you will see the MAF sensor. Using a flat head screwdriver, unclip the metal clip on the back of the MAF and then unclip the plastic clips on the front.
4: Unplug the wire on the right and place it somewhere where you will find it again. Then gently pull the MAF out of it’s place and reverse the directions to put it back together.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Tara - MAF
Hi Tara - welcome to the forum!
I can't help you with replacing your MAF, but as you become more seasoned on here, you'll discover that this is a VERY common problem with our beloved Benz's.
M
I can't help you with replacing your MAF, but as you become more seasoned on here, you'll discover that this is a VERY common problem with our beloved Benz's.
M
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 6
300ce
Originally Posted by chappy11
thanks!
Is this how it's done?
Replace the MAF sensor (aka Mass air flow meter):
1: Remove the snorkels that go from the front grill area to your intake housing. These simply snap off and out.
2: Lift your engine cover off of your engine. There are 4 clips holding your cover down. Simply just pull up and they will detach.
3: On the back portion of your intake (behind the engine, where your intake housing connects to the engine, you will see the MAF sensor. Using a flat head screwdriver, unclip the metal clip on the back of the MAF and then unclip the plastic clips on the front.
4: Unplug the wire on the right and place it somewhere where you will find it again. Then gently pull the MAF out of it’s place and reverse the directions to put it back together.
Is this how it's done?
Replace the MAF sensor (aka Mass air flow meter):
1: Remove the snorkels that go from the front grill area to your intake housing. These simply snap off and out.
2: Lift your engine cover off of your engine. There are 4 clips holding your cover down. Simply just pull up and they will detach.
3: On the back portion of your intake (behind the engine, where your intake housing connects to the engine, you will see the MAF sensor. Using a flat head screwdriver, unclip the metal clip on the back of the MAF and then unclip the plastic clips on the front.
4: Unplug the wire on the right and place it somewhere where you will find it again. Then gently pull the MAF out of it’s place and reverse the directions to put it back together.
Ted
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Joined: Jun 2004
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You do not need a mechanic to change a MAF filter. If you have a mechanic that wants $480 for a new one installed then you should find another mechanic. You can buy the part at mercedesshop.com for around $350 and install it yourself. It's extremely easy to do, all you'll need is a phillips head screw driver and a willingness to get some dirt on your hands. It's a 10 minute job not much more difficult than changing a light bulb...
Bigger picture is: is this the real problem? sounds like they already got you for a fuel filter, now this, what's next? I'd say get a second opinion from another MB specialist.
If you really want the mechanic to do it, tell him you'll pay $380 installed. He'll still make $200 profit for a 10 minute job...
Bigger picture is: is this the real problem? sounds like they already got you for a fuel filter, now this, what's next? I'd say get a second opinion from another MB specialist.
If you really want the mechanic to do it, tell him you'll pay $380 installed. He'll still make $200 profit for a 10 minute job...
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Changing the MAF is one of the easiest things to do on my 97 E320. It's probably easier to actually do than to describe on a forum, but here goes...
Open the hood, the release is under the steering wheel near where your left knee would be. Once you pop the hood release, there is a tab that comes out of the grill, pull that and lift the hood.
Now you're looking into the engine compartment...
Behind the left headlight, in the front left of the compartment, you'll see a plastic box with clips on it, about the size of a big hard cover book. This is the air filter. (if you ever felt the desire to change this on your own, just unclip, lift the cover off and replace).
Coming off the air filter housing is a tube that's around 2-3 inches across that leads back/top of the engine head. This tube is the air intake that feeds air into the fuel injector.
The MAF is that attachment on this tube that is around 6 inches away from the air filter housing. It has a wire with a clip that attaches to it on the right side. Here's what it looks like.
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com...Air+Mass+Meter
Now unhooking it is fairly straightforward, I'm not in front of my car now so I can't remember if it's clips that can just be unhooked or if you'll need a screwdriver for a screw type clamp... You'll also need to pull that wire off, just grab both locking tabs and pull it out.
Now just insert the new MAF just as the old one was. Note before taking the old one out what position it's in so you don't do it backwards. Reclamp, the MAF back to both sides of the air intake tube, reclip the wire to the MAF, and you're done.
Very easy job, 10-15 minutes tops once you've located it and get a feel for what you're doing...
Open the hood, the release is under the steering wheel near where your left knee would be. Once you pop the hood release, there is a tab that comes out of the grill, pull that and lift the hood.
Now you're looking into the engine compartment...
Behind the left headlight, in the front left of the compartment, you'll see a plastic box with clips on it, about the size of a big hard cover book. This is the air filter. (if you ever felt the desire to change this on your own, just unclip, lift the cover off and replace).
Coming off the air filter housing is a tube that's around 2-3 inches across that leads back/top of the engine head. This tube is the air intake that feeds air into the fuel injector.
The MAF is that attachment on this tube that is around 6 inches away from the air filter housing. It has a wire with a clip that attaches to it on the right side. Here's what it looks like.
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com...Air+Mass+Meter
Now unhooking it is fairly straightforward, I'm not in front of my car now so I can't remember if it's clips that can just be unhooked or if you'll need a screwdriver for a screw type clamp... You'll also need to pull that wire off, just grab both locking tabs and pull it out.
Now just insert the new MAF just as the old one was. Note before taking the old one out what position it's in so you don't do it backwards. Reclamp, the MAF back to both sides of the air intake tube, reclip the wire to the MAF, and you're done.
Very easy job, 10-15 minutes tops once you've located it and get a feel for what you're doing...
Last edited by smazur; Jun 15, 2006 at 10:17 AM.
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John Deere
Jesus Christ guys, $350 for a MAF? No way.
Chappy11, go to www.onlybenz.com and order one for $160. They will ship it out to you in a few days.
smazur's instructions are correct, except you do not need a screwdriver. The wiring clip will come off with a squeeze of the fingers (yours, not mine)
Chappy11, go to www.onlybenz.com and order one for $160. They will ship it out to you in a few days.
smazur's instructions are correct, except you do not need a screwdriver. The wiring clip will come off with a squeeze of the fingers (yours, not mine)
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thank you very much
you guys are all such great help! I don't see a mass air flow sensor at the site onlybenz.com. Should I call them or is there any place in California that sells them for cheap? it would be great if I can get it for $160.
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Do all W210 use the same MAF? A 1997 E320 MAF may be different but do all 1998-2002 W210 models use the same MAF? Including 3.2L V6, 4.3L V8 and 5.5L V8. If so anyone got any part numbers?
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John Deere
Originally Posted by chappy11
you guys are all such great help! I don't see a mass air flow sensor at the site onlybenz.com. Should I call them or is there any place in California that sells them for cheap? it would be great if I can get it for $160.
Give them a call. They buy parts directly from MB in Germany, so they cut out the stealership markup. There may be a place like that in CA, but I doubt it. This guy worked in Germany directly for MB in the factory.
I have also seen similar prices on Ebay, but that is sporadic.
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John Deere
Originally Posted by E55 KEV
Do all W210 use the same MAF? A 1997 E320 MAF may be different but do all 1998-2002 W210 models use the same MAF? Including 3.2L V6, 4.3L V8 and 5.5L V8. If so anyone got any part numbers?
The part number ends in 12 or 13 respectively. If I can, I will pull the whole numbers.
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Originally Posted by chappy11
He won’t charge me labor, but after tax about $480 for the part.
97 E320
97 E320
You can buy MAF insert, or whole unit, for around $150 online. If you need to reset the computer & get the car back to normal, PM me. I live near Costa Mesa too (Fountain Valley), I have the tool.
I hope you didn't bring your car to Haus Mercedes in Costa Mesa, the guy there is nice talking & everything, but when it comes to charging, he think everyone are millionaire. He once quote me $850 for brake switch job (w/ the whole B.S that the entire dashboard have to be removed !!)
Last edited by zam2000; Jun 16, 2006 at 10:37 AM.
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so its okay if I buy it from ebay when its not OEM? the place onlybenz.com does not pick up. I tried contacting them at their site. i miss my car... Let me know if anyone comes across another source for a good cheaper MAF. Thanks guys.
