Guest blatters Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Hi, Blatters here :lol: Now I'm expert in booster heater symptoms, rattles and having a shiny Galaxy. But a foray under the bonnet to the dark and mysterious world of the TDi 115bhp - now that's frightening :P But I think my MAF's packed up and I want someone to give me the idiots guide to get me over this fearful patch - you all say it's a simple job and I'm a handy kind of guy wanting to learn. SYMPTOM: Performance off the boil, a gradual deterioration over time. Hopeless at 3,500rpm and above where I get noise but no real pull. MPG gradually getting worse. Used to get 50mpg on regular trip to work and back but now down to 43mpg. Only change is steel wheels, winter tyres and cold weather. But the deterioration is progressive and not sudden after the wheels etc were fitted. SOLUTION: Seems from the search engine that prime suspect of MAF and/or air filter. Car gets services every 10,000mls by dealer. Is on 47,500mls. Services are every 6mths. HELP REQUIRED: Idiots guide in one place to replacing air filter and MAF sensor. - where located, how accessed, special tools & tips;- if I detach the MAF and test the running, what should I be looking out for?- pictures, seatkid posted a set about a year ago but there come up x for me now?- a decent supplier for the MAF and air filter plus likely cost :lol: - any damage done if running with MAF detached to engine, cat or ECU? Thanks in advance. Blatters PS. Ivor E Tower, did you ever bulk purchase MAF's for us all???? :P Quote
mumof4 Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 If i am correct in thinking that the maf is that big black thing on the left under the hood and it has a thingy you can detach but have to be careful and not get the gold colourd thingies dirty...then ours has been disconnected for ruddy months as hubby refuses to pay nearly 300 to get a new air flow didgerydo fitted as the guy said that the engine would have to come out.Hmm....pics would be nice so im with you on this one.I know that you can get air flow thingies on ebay.... :P As to what you originally asked...our car lost its oomph...thingy got disconnected then car got oomph back/(think its in limp mode but not sure...not too clued up on this aspect of our car)...reminds me...got to ring garahe see if they fixed the bloody thing yet.(diff prob!!) :P Quote
seatkid Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Your symptoms are classic, those of MAF failure. - where located, how accessed, special tools & tips;Try this Blatters! - any damage done if running with MAF detached to engine, cat or ECU? No, the MAF is used only to control emissions.- a decent supplier for the MAF and air filter plus likely cost blink.gif Telephone around and negotiate!Most dealers (try ford,vw and seat) do exchange MAFs for around Quote
Guest blatters Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 seatkid, I can't ask for better help than that - thank you so, so much. You to mumof4. I'll let you know how things go. Blatters Quote
Masked Marauder Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 If i am correct in thinking that the maf is that big black thing on the left under the hood and it has a thingy you can detach but have to be careful and not get the gold colourd thingies dirty...then ours has been disconnected for ruddy months as hubby refuses to pay nearly 300 to get a new air flow didgerydo fitted as the guy said that the engine would have to come out.Hmm....pics would be nice so im with you on this one.I know that you can get air flow thingies on ebay.... :P As to what you originally asked...our car lost its oomph...thingy got disconnected then car got oomph back/(think its in limp mode but not sure...not too clued up on this aspect of our car)...reminds me...got to ring garahe see if they fixed the bloody thing yet.(diff prob!!) :P The MAF is indeed the pipe you mentioned and if the car gets most of it's go back when it is unplugged then yes, you have found the problem. Quote
seatkid Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 hubby refuses to pay nearly 300 to get a new air flow didgerydo fitted as the guy said that the engine would have to come out. MUMOF4 if this is the same garage who are fixing your loom, GET YOUR CAR OUT THEIR HANDS NOW! Changing a MAF sensor is a 2 minute car park job and should cost no more than Quote
Guest blatters Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Two minutes in a car park job - even I can do that. Here goes! :rolleyes: Blatters Quote
charles Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 had 2 mafs replaced in 4 years time. when ok the car runs much smoother. When kicking down the pedal it's feeling it acts with some delay, but with more power. When defect it reacts more directly and noisier . Quote
KP 115 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Posted February 1, 2006 I think I would try checking the air filter first as the dealers have been known to not change them ! cheapest option ! Maf sensors can be easily contaminated by things such as silicone spray , sealant etc. so be careful. :) Quote
Scorpiorefugee Posted February 2, 2006 Report Posted February 2, 2006 I did clean mine and I did see an immediate improvement but mine in an older S reg and is probably the 90bhp unit. It is easy to remove with the right tool - mine cost Quote
Scorpiorefugee Posted February 2, 2006 Report Posted February 2, 2006 Actually, I've just had a thought - theory only - not checked. Could a bad seal on the lid of the air filter allow unfiltered air into the intake and cause premature MAF failure as some people seem to get through quite a few and others last a lifetime. :lol: ;) :) Ron. Quote
Guest blatters Posted February 4, 2006 Report Posted February 4, 2006 I removed the sensor this morning and the performance then became significantly worse. Worse means no pulling power up modest inclines in 5th / 6th gear. Although MPG seemed alright! So what does this mean lads? :D perhaps the MAF is on its way out but not completely shot to bits? :huh: perhaps its the air filter (off to check now)? :D perhaps its something else (& you're not miracle workers so don't bust a gut looking for a 'mindreading' solution)? :D perhaps I'll just mention it to the dealer at the 50k service and see what they think? :blink: perhaps its just me! Any thoughts appreciated Blatters Quote
Guest blatters Posted February 4, 2006 Report Posted February 4, 2006 Listen guys, can you tell me what you think of my air filter shown below? Do you think this might be restricting the air flow sufficiently to reduce the power from the engine and mpg? The thing is, my car is serviced regularly every 10k / 6mths. So should my air filter look like this at 47.5k miles? Because it's Saturday afternoon and I live in the middle of nowhere (Scottish Borders), I'll have to wait until Monday to order a new one from my Ford dealer (who is shut now). But I did vacuum it (don't laugh) and I think the Gals running better unless I'm deluding myself :D Any opinions gratefully received. Blatters Quote
Scorpiorefugee Posted February 4, 2006 Report Posted February 4, 2006 I'm no expert but that seems to be doing it's job and not way past it's change date. Any comment I may have made relates to a 98S but you do still seem to have some benefit from your MAF. I have pictures of mine but haven't yet worked out how to upload them. I've just given mine a good clean and, while I have no way of comparing it to original performance, it seems as good as I would expect with no appparent dead spots but in no way compares to our other 52 ghia. Ron. Quote
viking Posted February 4, 2006 Report Posted February 4, 2006 I changed the air filter on my 90bhp TDI after 40K and it didn't look half as dirty as yours. You would be wise to change it before spending money on anything else. Quote
Guest blatters Posted February 4, 2006 Report Posted February 4, 2006 Viking, Very wise - will do. Thanks for the feedback. Blatters Quote
familyman Posted February 4, 2006 Report Posted February 4, 2006 :D for what air filters cost and how easy they are to change it's not worth messing about with them -once a year is no big deal Quote
Guest blatters Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 OK, new air filter fitted today. Early indication is that the car is back to its former glory. Improved performance even compared to the original filter that I 'hoovered' on Saturday - who says these arn't serviceable items!!! Real story will be like-for-like MPG comparison later this week on run to work. Question: should these filters not be replaced by your helpful dealer at every service? Or do they offer lots of hourly rate assistance when you book your car in and explain that you're suffering a severe loss of power and lower MPG? Regards Blatters Quote
KP 115 Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 this looks just the same as mine , doesn't look as though they changed yours either has it got the AE mark on as all the other parts have or is it a FRAUD ONE!, does anyone know how to date it? Perhaps the code to change the air filter is the same as the Maf sensor replacement code!!! :ph34r: . try Eurocar parts in edinburgh 0131 317 9898ps you may need to tell them its a sharan , but my local branch is ok with galaxy! regards Keith. Quote
seatkid Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 Probably not changed as official service sheet says change at 3 years/60,000 miles IIRC. Quote
Guest JohnP Posted February 9, 2006 Report Posted February 9, 2006 If it's any help, when I bought my Gal, the MAF was disconnected. Some ham-fisted (no, that's unfair to Hams!) individual had forced the MAF connector part the way in and Tie-Wrapped it into place. I drove for around 15,000 miles (in ignorance) in fail safe mode (no pull 30-55, ok over 60) and avoided motorway slip roads until I discovered the problem (thanks to the Forum here). Inspecting the connector showed up the bent pins and missing plastic - a bit of TLC and the performance improvement was dramatic. The improvement in MPG ? Absolutely none ! Fix time 3 mins, cost zero. If your MAF is faulty, the 90BHP TDi will feel unsafe to drive, believe me.... JohnP Quote
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