HELP! Broke tubing while changing MAF.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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HELP! Broke tubing while changing MAF.
So I was swapping out my MAF, and in unplugging the cable i hit this thin plastic tube/pipe that goes into the engine. it must have gotten really brittle over the years because the slight nudge from my fingers caused it to snap. i have no idea what this pipe/tubing is, and what kind of damage i've done. i don't think it's a good idea for me to even start the car right now, so if anyone could please help it would put my mind at rest. imagine if your baby was lying unusable in your garage, all hurt!
here's some images, hopefully i can explain.
here's the back of the engine, you can see the MAF sensor. notice the tubing that comes in from the right goes along the top. It then goes under behind the MAF, comes back out the other side, loops over the MAF cable connector and then goes into the engine:
now if you look closer, to where that tube goes into the engine, you'll see that i've broken it:
now first of all, does anyone know what this tube is!? i'm really worried it might be fuel-related.
secondly, am i going to be safe duct taping it, or hot glueing it back together temporarily -- to make the 10 miles or so to the dealer?
and thirdly, is this a tube i can replace myself if i get the correct part from the dealer? the only reason i ask is because i know if i go to the dealer to have them fix it my service representative guy is going to be condescending and yell at me for having tried to fix a Mercedes myself. i know i f-ed up, and i've been f-ing depressed all day about it, but it's not because i wasn't taking care. it's not like i banged it about with a wrench or something. it was the slightest tap of my fingers.
please if anyone can help, i'd really appreciate it. my car's completely grounded til i can figure out what to do.
thanks!!
-kev
here's some images, hopefully i can explain.
here's the back of the engine, you can see the MAF sensor. notice the tubing that comes in from the right goes along the top. It then goes under behind the MAF, comes back out the other side, loops over the MAF cable connector and then goes into the engine:
now if you look closer, to where that tube goes into the engine, you'll see that i've broken it:
now first of all, does anyone know what this tube is!? i'm really worried it might be fuel-related.
secondly, am i going to be safe duct taping it, or hot glueing it back together temporarily -- to make the 10 miles or so to the dealer?
and thirdly, is this a tube i can replace myself if i get the correct part from the dealer? the only reason i ask is because i know if i go to the dealer to have them fix it my service representative guy is going to be condescending and yell at me for having tried to fix a Mercedes myself. i know i f-ed up, and i've been f-ing depressed all day about it, but it's not because i wasn't taking care. it's not like i banged it about with a wrench or something. it was the slightest tap of my fingers.
please if anyone can help, i'd really appreciate it. my car's completely grounded til i can figure out what to do.
thanks!!
-kev
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX
2012 C250
out of curiosity, what year & model? this is pure conjecture, but if it was so brittle that it snapped at just the nudge of your fingers, I would guess it doesn't carry fluids on a regular basis. otherwise, it wouldn't have been so dry as to just break like that. Also, if you can't get any traction here on the forums, try to talk to the shop foreman at your local dealership. I find them to be more frank, down to earth and knowledgeable than the service advisors. if s/he's accessible and you don't abuse the contact with them, they can be an invaluable resource.
Last edited by purplegrog; Jan 22, 2006 at 08:51 PM. Reason: adding additional info
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2006
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hey thanks, that's reassuring, albeit vague =P
it's a 2001 c240, sorry, i really should have mentioned that shouldn't i...
thanks again, i do appreciate any input anyone may have on any part of this!
-kev
it's a 2001 c240, sorry, i really should have mentioned that shouldn't i...
thanks again, i do appreciate any input anyone may have on any part of this!
-kev
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 755
Likes: 2
From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
The tube is fairly easy to replace. I have seen this happen a couple times, or when I was working in that area myself.
Just watchout, its the tube that supplies you vacuum to the brake booster. Without it attached, you will basically have manual brakes and it will be hard as hell to stop the car.
Just watchout, its the tube that supplies you vacuum to the brake booster. Without it attached, you will basically have manual brakes and it will be hard as hell to stop the car.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16
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hey, thanks very much for the replies all. so the parts guy at the dealer has ordered the tube for me, and i'm hoping i'll be able to replace it myself. it looks like it'll be tough to get in there...
any advice on how to make sure i connect the replacement correctly? in terms of making sure it's a good seal, etc. from what it sounds like it wouldn't be too pleasant if it came apart while i was driving...!
thanks again, guys.
-kev
any advice on how to make sure i connect the replacement correctly? in terms of making sure it's a good seal, etc. from what it sounds like it wouldn't be too pleasant if it came apart while i was driving...!
thanks again, guys.
-kev
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 755
Likes: 2
From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
Originally Posted by kev
hey, thanks very much for the replies all. so the parts guy at the dealer has ordered the tube for me, and i'm hoping i'll be able to replace it myself. it looks like it'll be tough to get in there...
any advice on how to make sure i connect the replacement correctly? in terms of making sure it's a good seal, etc. from what it sounds like it wouldn't be too pleasant if it came apart while i was driving...!
thanks again, guys.
-kev
any advice on how to make sure i connect the replacement correctly? in terms of making sure it's a good seal, etc. from what it sounds like it wouldn't be too pleasant if it came apart while i was driving...!
thanks again, guys.
-kev
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2006
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So I ended up having to replace the whole hose, all the way until it goes into the firewall, out by the fuse box; cost ~$80. The hardest part was indeed getting the broken part out of the engine connection. I found out from the parts guy at the dealers that you're supposed to push down on the conector to release, but it still took so much effort.
Anyway, I'm all fixed up finally (almost two weeks later!). My MAF replacement turned out to be a lot more expensive than anticipated. Thanks again for the help guys!
-Kev
Anyway, I'm all fixed up finally (almost two weeks later!). My MAF replacement turned out to be a lot more expensive than anticipated. Thanks again for the help guys!
-Kev
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