Changing Your Air Flow Meter

[Masked Marauder]

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One of the most common losses of power in a TDi Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra is a failed Mass Air Flow Meter (MAF). It's failure is often easy to diagnose by simply unplugging it and seeing if the engine runs any worse. If it is the same or better then it is a good bet that the MAF is past its useful life.

 

Tools Required:

• 5MM Allen Key or 5MM Hex Socket
  
• Pair of medium sized Mole Grips
  

Difficulty level:

 

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/tea.jpg

 

Preparation:

• none
  

Location on Vehicle:

• In the engine compartment at the left hand side when looking into the engine compartment.
  

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/001.jpg

 

Procedure:

• Press down on the tab on the connector
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/002.jpg
  
• and pull the connector off of the MAF
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/003.jpg
   
  
• Using the mole grips adjusted so the jaws fit snuggly over the ends of the hose clip
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/004.jpg
  lock the handles of the grips and push the hose clip back up the induction hose
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/005.jpg
  
• Remove the mole grips
  
• If you want to make the job a little easier then you may wish to remove the top of the air filter housing. To do this, undo the three clips (one top, bottom and right hand side below the MAF) The top should then just up and lift off, pull off the vacuum pipe if fitted.
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/006.jpg
  
• Undo the two 5mm Cap Head Screws using a 5mm Allen Key or Hex Socket
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/007.jpg
  
• and pull the MAF off of the air-box making sure you don't lose the 'O' ring, pictured here correctly seated in the top of the Air Filter Housing
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/008.jpg
  
• The MAF removed
  http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/images/maf/009.jpg
  
• Re-fitting is the reverse of the above, but make sure the pipes (induction & vacuum) are correctly replaced
  

An easy job, about 20 - 30 minutes including time for just one cup of tea, so a one cup difficulty level!