So I got a CEL last night, luckily I already had an appointment for inspection this morning. They said the light was from a blown MAF, so I have a few questions:

1.) I suspect they are just trying to take advantage, they claim the MAF with installation is going to be $900. The guy said he reset the codes so I shouldn't have a CEL for a little bit. I just drove about 10 miles, if the MAF was actually blown wouldn't the CEL go off within a few minutes??

2.) Where to get a new MAF (just in case) for good price?

3.) Any MAF installation DIY's out there?

 

MAF is not hard to replace. I have a spare MAF with less then 2k miles on it that i am no longer using, I can install it in a few minutes. CHeck ur PM

 

If they are just replacing the MAF you are getting robbed

Find out what code the car threw before just replacing the MAF

 

Blown MAF gives you a trinity of CEL, ABS and PSM lights on the dash.

Do not get robbed. I know as I have already been through 7 MAFs in last 12 months...

If you got a CEL that does not show on the dash for a while after you delete it, I would guess a faulty o2 sensor.

 

Oh and Bosch MAF is around $250.

 

Gotchya, only CEL went off so problem solved. With a faulty o2 sensor, how long would the CEL typically take to turn back on?

 

That totally varies. Sometimes 2 days, sometimes 5 days, sometimes 2 weeks.

I noticed that o2 sensor CEL usually turns on at moderate city driving speeds.

 

Alright, well my suspicion is that the CEL went off because of the ridiculous humidity last night. I got a 30k service about 2k miles ago so I doubt the sensor is bad. Guess I'll just have to wait and see

 

you might want to familiarize yourself with the guy on ebay that sells mafs for our cars at $45.00. they are as good as new, though i'm pretty sure they are the bosch maf recycled with a new diode, but work as well as any maf does in a modded tt.

i'm thinking of buying them by the dozen. also, maf replacement is so easy, even i can do it. plenty of DIY's available here. it's two torx screws to r&r. good luck, and don't pay anyone $900.00 to replace a maf, even with a new bosch one. replace the mechanic first.

 

Do not return to the shop that wanted to charge you $900 for this, he is a crook. Ask around for a reputable independent shop, or if there are none in your area, use the dealer. At least they have to warranty what ever they work on. MAF costs about $240 new, and installs with 2 screws from an easy access area in the engine compartment. Good luck.

 

Actually, that is the exact same price I was quoted by the Porsche Dealership here in Charlotte when my MAF went bad. I went on Ebay, bought a used one and changed it myself for $80.00.

There are so many legal forms of criminal activity - auto mechanics and insurance companies are a few that come to mind.

 

I'm actually lucky enough to have a great independent guy right down the street for me

Would you happen to have a link to the Ebay page selling these cheap MAFs? And LOL at the last part

 

I would stay away from some of those cheap MAF sensors on Ebay. I bought mine from a guy who had a wrecked 996 and was selling all his used parts.

 

the ebay mafs for 47 dollars work just fine. meaning the life of them is comparable to the oem bosch. they are just rebuilt with a new diode. it's the diode that matters, not the plastic housing. as long as it's the same part number, it will work the same.

just got another one in the mail today.

 

So is it really true that a cleaner MAF makes a noticeable difference in the car?