For those of you who've been around a while, you know I've had an intermittent CEL about which I wasn't terribly concerned, since there were no driveability issues and the car actually got better mileage when the CEL was on. Moreover, I couldn't check codes because when the dealer fixed the TSB for the squeaky steering, they didn't plug the connector back into the lower panel (sigh). In any event, it's gotten worse and recently I was near the dealer and dropped in and they fixed the connector, so I downloaded codes and it's the left and right bank fuel trim, P0170 and P0173 -- the MAF, as I had suspected.
Since I had already cleaned it a few months ago, clearly it's time to replace the beast. While I don't have anything against Bosch, I'm not keen on the rather high price they want for the thing. So I managed to source a third-party manufacturer at less than half the price (and it's the full assembly, not just the sensor insert). I figure I'll run it for a month, if it works fine I'll keep it, if not I'll return it; all it will then cost me is the shipping, so I'm willing to roll the dice on the non-Bosch part. And if it does work fine -- which I suspect it will -- I'll start selling them on the side (for a small profit, of course) and help out my pals here on BW. The folks at MBworld are on their own, though.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
You won't be happy,It is a cheap chinese knock off.Also having no driving issues is still a cause for concern,neglecting cel in some cases leads to other failures related to items upstream from the original culprit.get a code reader they are cheap and learn how to use it.you will save way more than it's cost.Maf codes are 0170 and 0173 btw.
ohlord
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,363
I'm not arguing with you ohlord, but most of the MB branded items I have ordered from their Collections Catalog have been made in China. I think Daimler might be out-sourcing more than just the umbrellas and flashlights.
You won't be happy,It is a cheap chinese knock off.Also having no driving issues is still a cause for concern,neglecting cel in some cases leads to other failures related to items upstream from the original culprit.get a code reader they are cheap and learn how to use it.you will save way more than it's cost.Maf codes are 0170 and 0173 btw.
ohlord
Like the username.
Thanks for the feedback; as I said, I'm rolling the dice to try it. Here's my thought process: If it's cheap Chinese junk, it goes back, but I'm nowhere near anglo-centric enough to think that all stuff from China is junk. After all, thirty to forty years ago pretty much anything that said "Made in Japan" was complete crap, now their stuff is among the best in the world, and their cars are better than most of the stuff the domestic manufacturers build. China has come a long way in the last decade and they certainly have the capability to produce quality products. Moreover, as often as these "high-quality" OEM Bosch units puke, I can't say I'd be thrilled with dropping $250 on one of them. I bought the off-brand from a known dealer, so if it doesn't work all it's going to cost me is the shipping charges, and I'm comfortable with that.
Also, I'm quite familiar with how code readers work... If you bother to go back and actually read my post, you'll see that the problem was that I couldn't even plug the thing in due to the stealership's negligence. But you're right, I typo'ed the second code for the other bank, it is 173, not 178, thanks for catching that.
And I fully agree with you that ignoring CEL's is not a recommended way to proceed. However, knowing a bit about these cars and their more common failures, and the way this one came and went, and a few other things besides, I figured it was the MAF -- and under these conditions it was unlikely to cause other failures. Furthermore, if you've been around for a while and read other threads, you'll see I always tell other folks to get the code(s) read because it can lead to significant troubles or expense to ignore it. Quite often I also remind them that the reason mechanics charge to read the codes is because then they will be interpreted and diagnosed, and if they're not up on such things it's probably better to take it in to someone who knows what they are doing. After all, reading the code is only about 15% of the battle; if you don't know what it means and how to interpret it -- particularly if you get several codes -- you'll end up replacing things that don't need to be replaced, which could easily cost lots more than the diagnostic charge paid to the shop.
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,363
Right on Greg! I have developed a lot of respect for goods produced in Japan and China as well. Even though the labor is less expensive, the quality is there, at least for the most part. That region of the world is eating our lunch - too bad, but that's the way it is.
Right on Greg! I have developed a lot of respect for goods produced in Japan and China as well. Even though the labor is less expensive, the quality is there, at least for the most part. That region of the world is eating our lunch - too bad, but that's the way it is.
Now, now, I'm not about to disagree completely with ohlord. There is indeed a lot of cheap Chinese knock-off stuff (just look in any of those "99 cent" stores!).
And perhaps more importantly, his post sounds as though he is speaking from experience, so if the one I'm getting is the one he's discussing (and at this point I have no way of knowing) I may end up seeing snake eyes on this transaction, but either way, you guys will benefit from my experiment. Now Royal Purple, on the other hand...
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregs210
Now, now, I'm not about to disagree completely with ohlord. There is indeed a lot of cheap Chinese knock-off stuff (just look in any of those "99 cent" stores!).
And perhaps more importantly, his post sounds as though he is speaking from experience, so if the one I'm getting is the one he's discussing (and at this point I have no way of knowing) I may end up seeing snake eyes on this transaction, but either way, you guys will benefit from my experiment. Now Royal Purple, on the other hand...
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
I'm not totally disagreeing either, not by any means. Some junk flows from any country you care to name. Again, good luck with your MAF, and please let us know the outcome.
You're all right.It's not all junk,and not by hands on exp.,they come over here knocked off and off spec.I think to the importer for something like 11 bucks in lots of 1000 piece shipments.the insert is only about 120 or so and it is oem.Try it by all means.I'm not that much of a gambler,save for cards and women.
ohlord
p.s. that's why none of my cars have ever gone to the stealership,It's not hard to remove the under dash and slide the locking fitting on the obd plug to the right and insert the unit, slide the lock back and back in action you go.The goof balls that leave you hanging with issues like that are what makes dealerships get the stlrshp moniker .
chinese junk 
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