vmystikilv

Light came on today. Pulled out the ol OBDII reader and trace the codes to the MAF. Before I dropped the money on a new one I want to try and clean it. On previous cars this has worked for me 2/3 times so cant hurt trying. I found the MAF behind the engine after removing the cover but for the life of me cant figure out how to get it off. There is a silver plastic piece on the back that I am not sure of how to release it. Does anyone know how to remove, dont want to break anything

Skylaw

Before you plunge into replacing parts, see this article: http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/cm70336.htm

vmystikilv

Not taking the plunge yet. I am pretty good at diagnosing and fixing cars. I just need to know how to remove or unclip the little silver metal clip on the back of the MAF to clean it. I know for a fact its the maf already.

vmystikilv

Figured it out. If anyone wants to know. The covers on the Engine just pull up and off. After that the MAF ( mass air flow sensor ) is located on the back of the engine. There is a big black plastic clamp vice thing around it that needs to be pulled off. That is the easy part. Only Thing after that is a silver plastic clamp on other side that needs to be pushed back (against the firewall) after that you can just pull the MAF out. I cleaned it with MAF cleaner you can find at pep boys or any auto to store I assume, got mines from PB and then, just spray the heck out of it. I was getting codes p0170 and i think p0173 and after cleaning the MAF all codes gone and after two long drives no more check engine light.

ibeforreal

vmystikilv,
I am in the process of replacing my MAF. I am to the point where I have everything off except that big plastic clamp and the silver clamp in the back of the MAF. How did you get the big plastic clamp off. Right now that seems to be my only obstacle.

Quadcammer

as i recall, it needs to be pried apart where it is held together. I remember putting that thing back on is a royal pain in the ***.

ibeforreal

Thanks for the response. Does anyone have a illustration of how to pry that plastic grip thing apart. I found some illustrations that OXYGEN had previously posted but can't get them to load. Took me a minute to get the sensor connector loose but finally got it off. Now that big plastic grip thing is driving me nuts. Don't want to break it.

ibeforreal

OK, so I called the MB dealer and that little plastic bracket cost $5. So if I break it getting it off I'll have the backup. For $5 I can't lose.

Attached is a picture of the clamp and how I pried it open. May help someone in the future.

Supergenius40

I cleaned my sensor too. Lasted about 10 months then the codes came back with an attitude. I bought a replacement from eBay...big error. That lasted 6months. Stoped playing around and bought one from Autohausaz. All good and drove stronger. FYI: stalling at a green light when pressing the gas is not fun when the Kia behind you is blowing the horn. Buy a new one and forget about.

One more thing...just remove the sensor not the entire housing. Faster and easier.

vmystikilv

Wow , I remember that s class ... Lol. Oh so long ago ...

ibeforreal

It's amazing how it took me about 1.5 hours to get the thing out and about 10 minutes to put the new one in. Bought a new Bosch from partsgeek.com for $145 including free shiping. Doesn't stall and stagger anymore.

vmystikilv

Awesome , congrats . Happy motoring