After reading all the various posts about the many board members having tried the VW MAFS, I found information scattered over many different threads. Wading through the many posts I have found mixed reviews.
What I want to accomplish is combine all opinions and experiences with VW MAFS post installation, and combine them all together in this thread.
Some board members have installed the VW MAFS with no issues, while other have had issues post installation. ie. "SES", O2 sensors, CPS, and/or plugs???
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2000 Silvr(354)/Blk(M1SW) 65k miles
Dinan Cans
Dinan Software
Well, I am having all the symptoms you mentioned including sometimes hard starting when my engine is cold, but I cannot say for sure if the VW MAF is to blame.
So I will replace the VW MAF this weekend with my stock BMW MAF's and will post update later.
Installed the VW MAF's and found no difference to my stock BMW MAF's in either performance or fuel flow at WOT measurement, so I put the BMW units back on the car.
Keeping the VW ones for the day my BMW's ones finally wear out.
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Oh yeah - subjectively, the VW MAF's look to be of a slightly lower quality construction compared to the original BMW units in my car. Small things are different, like the amount of sealant used to glue in the electronics, and other tiny differences (like soft-ish green sealant on the VW and hard brown on the BMW). The VW units present slightly more surface area to the direction of air flow than the BMW units - mostly due to the difference in the sealant (which is 'flatter' on the BMW units and sticks out a little on the VW ones).
The differences I saw could just be due to the difference in manufacturing dates (i.e. year 2006 versus 2000 for the originals), but I suspect that the BMW units are of a higher grade than the VW ones. I have no proof of this other than my impression of the 'care' taken in manufacture.
Installed the VW MAF's and found no difference to my stock BMW MAF's in either performance or fuel flow at WOT measurement, so I put the BMW units back on the car.
Keeping the VW ones for the day my BMW's ones finally wear out.
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Oh yeah - subjectively, the VW MAF's look to be of a slightly lower quality construction compared to the original BMW units in my car. Small things are different, like the amount of sealant used to glue in the electronics, and other tiny differences (like soft-ish green sealant on the VW and hard brown on the BMW). The VW units present slightly more surface area to the direction of air flow than the BMW units - mostly due to the difference in the sealant (which is 'flatter' on the BMW units and sticks out a little on the VW ones).
The differences I saw could just be due to the difference in manufacturing dates (i.e. year 2006 versus 2000 for the originals), but I suspect that the BMW units are of a higher grade than the VW ones. I have no proof of this other than my impression of the 'care' taken in manufacture.
they're both made by bosch so there shouldn't really be any difference at all.
All symptoms reported with swapping the VW maf's instead of buying others..are identical to the potential issues surrounding the use of the other sensors. The same issues would evolve when replacing with brand new BMW spec MAF's, I'd suspect. Ie, the part number is identical, across all three possible MAF sensors. VW, BMW, and the Bosch that DavidS is selling. No difference. This thread could very well be a poll on wether switching to new BMW MAF"s casues issues or not.
This is how it went down:
I went searching on the net for the BMW and the supplied replacment bosch part number.
I sifted through the results for a few minutes..found the thread on the VW forum, about the use of the substitute MAF sensor instead of that for the V6. I found that VW was offereing them for cheap, to VW owners, to defer possibilites of VW being hit with a class action suit, as the faulty sensors were, and are...resulting in a 'burning off' of the entire top end of the engine!!! The valves train, cams, intake, cylinder, exhaust manifold, exhaust valves, etc..all WAY, way, way over-pressured by the lean burn created by the sensors going faulty too early in their so-called lifespan. The lean burn was damaging the 1.8 and 2.0 liter turbos.... and the 2.0, the 1.8 NA engines too, etc. So..VW opted to come clean on it, by the way of offering COST priced MAF sensors.
Originally, a user HAD to come up with a VW serial number that matched the requirements -- for getting one. These sensors and housings are SUPPOSED to be $260.00 each!! Now, VW simply just gives them away at $59.00 each, and waits for the engines and sensor package to die a ***** of some sort..and problem gone, slowly, over time. No lawsuit.
Now, back to BMW. BMW uses the SAME sensor, allows the SAME issues to develop in the engine and monitoring systems..yet does ZERO about it. VW came clean on MUCH bigger expense package, but BMW does not and will likley NEVER recognize the fact that their MAF testing method is leaving the entire top of the engine VERY susceptable to 'top end' heat damage from a lean burn..created by faulty MAF sensors. This, on a $22k S62 motor.
When you swap out the MAF sensors for new ones, the engine is going to take a while to correct itself. If not, then maybe it has problems. Also, problems can come from putting a sensor in BACKWARD. This might come up as a SES light. The opening on the end of the left or right sensor, MUST be facing the air filter assembly. It is designed to capture the 'flow' of air as it goes by. One put in backward will work, but it will throw codes. Engine might hiccup badly too.
As for running rich, it might be time for new O2 sensors as well, but don't take just my word for it, ask folks who really know this engine. I'm just guessing. Not a good thing to do with someone else's car and money.
The concluson I came to, was that BMW's testing proceedure is totally screwy. The MAF's can create an entire pletora of other code's being thrown. Bad cats, bad cat efficency, exhaust issues, bad o2 sensors, bad cam sensors, bad flow rate/efficency (carbon build up warning too?). Basically, it can cause so many false codes to be thrown, that the service record will go right through the roof..all over a pair of sensors where the testing proceedure is so bad..that they are the last of the list of suspects to be replaced...and the ONLY ones that actually needed it.
The $tealers get to take BMW for a ride on that one, as who pays for it, under warranty?
And BMW is likely not that wise on the whole issue. If they know and do nothing, then that's just plain bad news, for reasons I can't quite understand.
Now, a dealer may know the difference, but cannot change their tune, simply because it is suddenly your money, as the given vehicle is out of warranty. Dealers must perpetuate the lie. Also, if burning off the top of the engine is an issue, then just be silent, as BMW owners have far more legal experience and the desire/cash to use it, compared to the average VW owner.
BMW would likely wait for the problem to go away, all on it's own. Just be very quiet. I know that I'd be hard pressed to handle it differently, if I was them.
Think it through..and you'll likely be as out of control hopping mad as I was, when I figured it out.
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