Cleaned the MAF sensor insert rather than replacing unit which my dealer quoted as approximately $500.00 for the part. The sensor is not sold separately by the dealer. Followed the procedures of those who preceded me by using CRC MAF cleaner. Started after taking negative off of battery and continuing with procedure. It has been three days and the CEL has disappeared. It appears to run better; although, this may only be "in my head". Ordered insert for $139 from the internet in case this does not work. Eventually, I will have to replace the insert.
Thanks for info that saved me hundreds.
Entire procedure took less than 20 minutes. The need to utilize vise grips on the torx seurity screw took the most time. Searched the area of New Brunswick, NJ for torx security bit and was not able to find same.
I always wonder how do they justity such prices, $500 for the piece of plastic and a bit of electronic? for the money you get a 32" LCD TV set. Nobody can tell me that the MAF is more sophisticated or produced in small amount.
Cut-throat is the only reason!
BTW, is there an insert for 1996 E320? Thanks!
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W210 1996 E320 Exterior Smoked Silver, Interior Mushroom.
Bought Jan 2008 with 130K. Now 143 K miles as of 11/09/08.
could pull the insert and check numbers but I have not found one for the 6banger, Your Parts Search Returned 3 Part(s)
confirm part by exam to make sure the proper one is ordered,from autohausaz.com ony about 50 bucks more for the whole unit.
security torx bits are about 7 bucks for a small set at local auto chain stores or harborfreight tools.
ohlord
I always wonder how do they justity such prices, $500 for the piece of plastic and a bit of electronic? for the money you get a 32" LCD TV set. Nobody can tell me that the MAF is more sophisticated or produced in small amount.
Cut-throat is the only reason!
BTW, is there an insert for 1996 E320? Thanks!
Call Ron at Germanstar, he can tell you if there is an insert for the L6, or you can submit a request through the website at Mercedes Benz Parts, Mercedes Parts, Accessories. GS is a sponsor of the site, only 100% reliable source I know of for the inserts.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
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When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
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Newbie to the site - Let me thank you for a awesome job. I am going to clean my MAF on tomorrow. I took it to the shop that specializes in European cars and after the analytical and test the told me that the MAF was the cause of my CEL. I had taken it there two days earlier and they informed me that they had resolved the problems but the CEL came back on in route to home. That's actually when they told me that it would need the MAF.
So you can buy a brand new MAF or just part and reuse the old part, cause I keep getting search returns range from MAF meter, to MAF insert, to MAF core. I'm so confused.
Vehicle: 2001 SLK 320(96K Miles), 2002 E320 Special Edition(113K Miles)
Location: South Bay Area,L.A., CA
Posts: 1,175
You can buy either the full MAF or just the insert. Insert is a lot cheaper and takes less than 5 minutes to swap, but you need security torx to remove old one. But whatever you decide, don't buy one on E-Bay, lots of horror stories on that!!!
Get one from Autohausaz, Importec or some other site mentioned in this forum. They all are a lot cheaper than the dealer.
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So you can buy a brand new MAF or just part and reuse the old part, cause I keep getting search returns range from MAF meter, to MAF insert, to MAF core. I'm so confused.
The whole assembly from autohausaz.com has dropped substantially in price so that is the easiest way to go; Germanstar has indicated they can no longer get the insert so if he's run out the assembly is the best option.
But the question is why are you thinking of replacing it? If it fails you will get a CEL and then the common codes for it, don't throw money away unless you actually have a problem.
Just got my '99 E55 back from a check up and amoung others I have codes P0100 (current and stored) and P0130-015 (not defined). I'm going to try clean the MAF sensor as per the instructions but what cleaner do I use? I searched a couple of shops and can't find anything labelled MAF cleaner. What about carb and choke cleaner? anything else?
Mucho Kudos 
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