A180 CDI Mass Airflow Meter (2005 model)

[Mousey]

I'm new to this (Merc Forum) and am not a mechanic but I need a little advice from people who are more knowledgeable than I. I have an orange warning light on my dashboard, which is an engine symbol. It's been there for a while now; Mercedes in Dusseldorf cleared it and so did Mercedes in Loughton. They said if it gets worse to come back - they didn't appear concerned and din't tell me what it was. I have a loss of power; engine sounds rough; sometimes there's no kick-down (auto), and it goes into 'safe mode' - I can't change gear. If I pull over and turn the engine off and turn back on again then the engine changes gear after. I've looked on forums and my issues sound like a problem with the 'MAF' sensor.

Does anyone know how much do these cost to replace and which one I need? Is it best to go with Bosch or Pierburg?

The car's booked into a garage next week to put it on the computer to find the fault codes but after speaking to the mechanic and looking on forums I wonder if it's cheaper just to replace the part as oppose to paying £50 + VAT just for diagnosis and then to have the work done.

Sorry if this has been discussed before but I can't find any information on my model.

Many thanks for any help provided.

 

[effbee584]

Just changed the one on my sons' Seat, really easy as long as yours is accessible. Why not go to your Merc or GSF parts dealer locally, ask to see one so you can identify it. The Bosch original we needed was £59 plus VAT exchange, £100 non-exchange.

 

[effbee584]

Just changed one on my sons Seat, easy job as long as yours is accessible. Call in Merc dealer or a GSF dealer to see one so you know what you are looking for. GSF had an exchange offer for Bosch units, it was £59. GSF stands for German Swedish French, a nationwide car parts retailer.

 

[Mousey]

VDO 5WK97003Z

I believe I need this one: Air Mass Sensor Mercedes A-Class from VDO - 5WK97003Z

It's 210 Euros! Do any of you know an English supplier or do I need to order it from Germany?

 

[npuk]

Wouldnt change anything till it has been on STAR and you know for sure it is the MAF. Also you could try cleaning the MAF first.

 

[Mousey]

Just taken car to a Mercedes specialist garage (GemTech) and they've discovered that it's an Inlet Port Shut-Off Motor that's gone. Does anybody know if I also need to change the EGR mixing chamber at the same time?

 

[slade]

Hi Mousey, my B180 has the same symptoms as you describe with your A Class. I've been putting it off for a while now and after some advice from another Merc forum I just run with the MAF disconnected so I get full engine power. Like yours, my engine light is on all the time so it would be nice to have everything back as it should be.
Mines a Siemems VDO 5WK97003 unit and I'm just about to start getting some prices but I'm expecting over £100 at least.
I'm relunctant to try for a second hand one as that may be faulty also or not last long. I even tried cleaning the sensor itself with some spirit but it made no difference.
I'd be interested to know if you've resolved your problem, especially as Gem Tech suggest its something different to the MAF. I'm a bit reluctant to shell out on a new MAF to find it doesn't cure the problem.

Chris

 

[Mousey]

Hi Slade - Gem Tech ran the car on their computer and the fault codes were relating to the Inlet Port Shut-Off Motor. They cleared the codes and I'll take it back to them after next pay day to have the job done. They cleared the codes last Tuesday and they came back yesterday. Hopefully that's all it is. Not cheap though and you have to have Mercedes parts by all accounts, which is about £150 plus fitting. I just hope I don't have to have the Mixing Chamber replaced as well (after the motor's been changed and if the faults come back then I'll have to have the chamber replaced as well due to the soot). Gem Tech are in Essex and seem to know what they're talking about - are you near them? Nice chaps too.

 

[slade]

Hi Mousey and thanks for the update.
I only have a basic fault code reader, one of those RAC/Argos things.
I'll run the check again and see what it points me to although I seem to recall it was just the MAF it was logging.
I'm up in York so Gem Tec are not just round the corner but I'm sure there is a similar outfit in my neck of the woods.
I just worry that I shell out on a MAF and find it's something else as well.
Keep us posted on how you get on with your problem.
Chris

 

[Mousey]

I need more help! I bought an Inlet Port Shutoff Motor and tried to change it yesterday but failed. We managed to get two bolts out but couldn't get access to the third (lowest one). It looks like it bolts onto the gearbox but we just couldn't get our hands down there to get at it. Can anybody give me any advice as to get it unbolted and out? Do we have to get at it from underneath? Do we have to take other components off first? Please help me! Many thanks in advance.

 

[t_aslam]

Hi mousey. Did you ever managed to get the the motor changed? I've got a 2009 a180 cdi manual and it's got very little power under acceleration especially on motorway speeds. Where you experiencing the same? Thanks.

 

[Mousey]

I did get it changed, which cost the best part of £700. Mine is an automatic so they had to drop part of the engine out - I believe a manual isn't as expensive.

Same - the engine sounds rough and acceleration is down. People have told me the engine is protecting itself and is going into a safe mode.

I've got another amber engine light on my car (happened yesterday) so am going to the garage who changed the initial problem to see what this one is.