Rite then, i went to a VW specialist to get a MAF SENSOR for my 2000 PD 115 PDI for £53.35 (trade discount ), then went up to my mates garage to get it fitted.

Watching him take the old one off, i had to listen to a long speech as to why ive paid for a brand new one, when he's got loads floating around, following into how i havent rung him for ages, and how he thinks i dont like him anymore (but ill get into that another time...).

Anyways, he pulled out three VW MAF sensors, all looking identical to mine. I asked him if they were for my car and he insisted all tdi ones are fine (he just didnt have a clue which VW cars they came from). The first one we tried out was naffed, felt the same as when you unplugged it, but the second one was a minter!

Sorted out the lag, and slowly but surely, mpgs goings up!

Buuuut, this still brings me to the point of not knowing which car it was from, should i stick to my gut, and put the brand new one in or leave the one he's put in for me?

The one hes put in for truly has changed the car though, its like a different car altogether now. No lag, no power loss, no juttery ride, smooth all the way!

What do i do?

Ps, he's told me to drive around for a week, if i get a lag again, bring it back, and he'll fit the brand new one.

If the cars still perfect, (which he guarantees will be) bring him some donner meat and chips from up the road and we can call it quits.

My main question is, will this new mystery MAF that seems to cured my car be okay, or could it ruin my car in some way, shape or form?

Thanks.

 Check the part numbers on the MAF he fitted with the one you got from VW, there are two one a VW number and one a Bosch number, if they match then you have a winner

If they don't then post the part numbers up here and we will see if we can work out what the MAF is from

Neil

mafs again .....

 should most garages be able to do this MAF change, or special ones only?

i want to change my maf and coolant temp sensor, but my mechanic says the maf change will cost loads. even though i know its only about 60 wuid from VW?

hes a good mechanic so would be annoying if i was to go somewhere else. although i am thinking of putting it into VW so i know it will be done right.

K5-KYL:

 should most garages be able to do this MAF change, or special ones only?

i want to change my maf and coolant temp sensor, but my mechanic says the maf change will cost loads. even though i know its only about 60 wuid from VW?

hes a good mechanic so would be annoying if i was to go somewhere else. although i am thinking of putting it into VW so i know it will be done right.

Ask him why it's "going to cost loads".

Like you say, £60ish for the part and 5 minutes to fit.

Oh, and it's an easy DIY job as long as you have the security torx bit.

Took me 5 mins to change mine as said above, hardest bit was those illegitimate child clips!

I've got a handy little security bit set by Draper.

New MAF was £62.86 direct from VW.

just curious, what is a maf sensor? sorry for being stupid new to golfs!

BaV - it's a Mass Air Flow Sensor.

davemk:

BaV - it's a Mass Air Flow Sensor.

kk, cheers for that. is that the sensor that is just after the air box

Changed my MAF yesterday on my 1.8T. £61 from GSF car parts plus my old one in exchange.

What a huge difference I've noticed already in fuel consumption and power.

Only thing is I keep hearing of people saying you need the security torx bit thingy. I didnt need this at all. I just unscrewed the two screws attaching the MAF to the air box with a philips screwdriver, then the safety clip thing and lastly the hose clip attaching the hose to the MAF sensor. Then in reverse order attaching the new one on. Job done!

so whats the security torx bit needed for?

BaV - yep, that's the one.

Kniksman - the security torx bits are normally needed to remove the screws that hold the MAF in place. Some cars are fitted with "normal" screws though (like yours). It might be the case that the security screws have been replaced by a previous owner.

 The security 5 point screws hold the MAF sensor into the housing, and the seurity bits are needed if you want to take the sensor out and clean it but if you are replacing the whole MAF including the housing then it is two cross headed screws that hold it to the air box and the hose clip to the flexi

Neil

davemk:

Oh, and it's an easy DIY job as long as you have the security torx bit.

 

You would say that Dave, IIRC I did yours for you at Himley last year 

old_n07:

davemk:

Oh, and it's an easy DIY job as long as you have the security torx bit.

 

You would say that Dave, IIRC I did yours for you at Himley last year 

I think you'll find that I was adopting a supervisory role, Neil.