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What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:29 pm
by rwb
I read, though I cannot remember where or find a reference, that MAF sensors deteriorate over time. In particular, while the sensor may still be functioning it may under-read the air flow, thus causing the ECU to reduce injected quantity (smoke map) and, in turn, reducing power. The article recommended that MAF sensors should be replaced preiodically.

Now, for £32 it may be worth testing this hypothesis.

However, I just wanted to ask whether:
(a) you can confirm that this is utter rubbish, and that I shouldn't believe everything I read on the Internet;
(b) you think this is true; or
(c) you wish to perform the test yourself :cheesy:

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:29 pm
by lozz
Its utter Rubbish,

ive got a pre 90s car and its still on its original Maf.

why fix /replace something that Aint Broken,

idont Beleive in 80% of the stuff isee on the Net its Mainly B/s unless its forum based on fact,.

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:49 pm
by Busman
rwb wrote:I read, though I cannot remember where or find a reference, that MAF sensors deteriorate over time. In particular, while the sensor may still be functioning it may under-read the air flow, thus causing the ECU to reduce injected quantity (smoke map) and, in turn, reducing power. The article recommended that MAF sensors should be replaced preiodically.

Now, for £32 it may be worth testing this hypothesis.

However, I just wanted to ask whether:
(a) you can confirm that this is utter rubbish, and that I shouldn't believe everything I read on the Internet;
(b) you think this is true; or
(c) you wish to perform the test yourself :cheesy:
Changed mine about 6 to 9 months ago, when the car was about 8 years old. The symptoms where very smooth running but a lack of power. After changing it for the one in your link i've got very smooth running and lots of power. So I would say £32 well spent.
But what is the life span? Goodness knows, mine did 8 years.

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:54 pm
by madmadmax
well hot wire maf as fitted to the hdi range do get a build up of carbon over time my 406 has just clocked 190,000 and was having power problems so i got my good one out of the cupboard and fitted it fixing the problem, it was gutless below 1700rpm. you can only rely tell if a maf is faulty with live data reading or the hit and miss tactics of most

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:41 pm
by Busman
madmadmax wrote:well hot wire maf as fitted to the hdi range do get a build up of carbon over time my 406 has just clocked 190,000 and was having power problems so i got my good one out of the cupboard and fitted it fixing the problem, it was gutless below 1700rpm. you can only rely tell if a maf is faulty with live data reading or the hit and miss tactics of most
which is the best idea, if you've got access to the right gear. not all of us have.

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:49 pm
by Doggy
I've only ever had one MAF problem, on a 3.0 v6 omega. It would start / rev OK, but wouldn't idle or run slowly, (closed loop mixture control couldn't work).
Live data showed bugger-all, or masses of air flow, nothing in between.

Based on this sample of one, I think they're either OK, or pretty seriously not OK.

Rich, what you need is an 80mm dia. MAF :lol:

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:01 pm
by Busman
Doggy wrote:I've only ever had one MAF problem, on a 3.0 v6 omega. It would start / rev OK, but wouldn't idle or run slowly, (closed loop mixture control couldn't work).
Live data showed bugger-all, or masses of air flow, nothing in between.

Based on this sample of one, I think they're either OK, or pretty seriously not OK.

Rich, what you need is an 80mm dia. MAF :lol:
That seems to be about the way of it. They work untill they don't. The interesting thing for me was if i'd never driven a HDI110, i'd never have known it was wrong.

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:18 pm
by rwb
lozz wrote:why fix /replace something that Aint Broken
This is my usual position :)
madmadmax wrote:gutless below 1700rpm
The turbo is effective from 1800, so that sounds like a bit of a coincidence. However, I'm sure my turbo kick is much harder than it used to be.

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:16 pm
by madmadmax
rwb wrote:
lozz wrote:why fix /replace something that Aint Broken
This is my usual position :)
madmadmax wrote:gutless below 1700rpm
The turbo is effective from 1800, so that sounds like a bit of a coincidence. However, I'm sure my turbo kick is much harder than it used to be.

ye if i am not careful in the wet i can get the wheel to spin as before i could not but that, it is also much more responsive.

Re: What is the expected life of a MAF sensor?

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:06 pm
by rwb