XC70 D5 MAF Sensors

[daveystoat]

Hello

My 2007 XC70 D5 is is need of a new MAF sensor.

Had a look at what is available - my local dealer will happily relieve me of £435 for one, which isn't going to happen.

Local motor factors want around £180 + VAT for one, though they are genuine Bosch ones, that is still a ridiculous amount of money (that I don't have) for one.

Lots of much cheaper ones on Amazon, Ebay, and Autodoc, from about £50-ish, which is much more like it.

Any experiences of using these? Brands include Silverhub, Ridex, NTY, Stark

All thoughts appreciated.

[stuart bowes]

my question with stuff like that would be how easy is it to get to and replace

i.e. would you mind having to do it twice if the replacement part turns out to be junk

for example on mine the MAF is sitting right next to the airbox it's a 2min job, so I'd be willing to take a punt (but bear in mind £50 becomes a lot of money if it's thrown away)

[daveystoat]

As long as it has a reasonable lifespan - for the dealer price, I could replace the £50 one eight times and still be up on the deal, if it's the £180 one, I can still replace it four times and still be up. Even the £100-ish ones I can replace twice and still be winning. Does depends how they affect running etc

Just was wondering what people's experiences were.

[davebb]

Hi I do not think that the cheaper ones fail, in a small amount of time,
it is that the no name cheaper ones give the ECM the wrong readings
making the engine run badly or using more or less fuel,
if you look on youtube there is a lot of videos showing this Problem,
how do you know you need a new one ? How have you tested it,

Dave

[100K+]

This question comes round like clockwork, and going back over the years the advice was always buy once, buy the volvo genuine....There are many many threads about buying non volvo MAF and then complaining they don't work. I can even remember a Pierburg MAF not working. There have been members who have bought non volvo and say they have worked. Perhaps as the years have passed quality has improved. I'd consider a genuine bosch assuming part numbers can be matched, When I needed a MAF for my V70 I chose volvo, but haggled with dealer.
Cheers Bob..

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by davebb

Hi I do not think that the cheaper ones fail, in a small amount of time,
it is that the no name cheaper ones give the ECM the wrong readings
making the engine run badly or using more or less fuel,
if you look on youtube there is a lot of videos showing this Problem,
how do you know you need a new one ? How have you tested it,

Dave

It's a recurring problem. If I put my foot down (not something I do very often, but I regularly need to go up a really steep hill near me (to the (in)famous Air Balloon Roundabout), where I need to), I then get "Engine system service required", and the car goes into limp mode, which can be dangerous when overtaking. Vida tells me it's the MAF sensor. Tried cleaning it and made little difference. It clears after a bit, but always comes back.

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by 100K+

This question comes round like clockwork, and going back over the years the advice was always buy once, buy the volvo genuine....There are many many threads about buying non volvo MAF and then complaining they don't work. I can even remember a Pierburg MAF not working. There have been members who have bought non volvo and say they have worked. Perhaps as the years have passed quality has improved. I'd consider a genuine bosch assuming part numbers can be matched, When I needed a MAF for my V70 I chose volvo, but haggled with dealer.
Cheers Bob..

I will not be paying my local dealer £435. Aside from being a ridiculous amount of money, I don't have it. Even a genuine Bosch one is far too much money.

So, I was asking for actual experiences people may have had with the cheaper ones.

[davebb]

Originally Posted by daveystoat

It's a recurring problem. If I put my foot down (not something I do very often, but I regularly need to go up a really steep hill near me (to the (in)famous Air Balloon Roundabout), where I need to), I then get "Engine system service required", and the car goes into limp mode, which can be dangerous when overtaking. Vida tells me it's the MAF sensor. Tried cleaning it and made little difference. It clears after a bit, but always comes back.

Hi Dave
When Vida or any other diag Tool says MAF or any other sensor,
it does not mean that it is the sensor that has failed it means that it is not getting the correct reading from it,
you need to test all of the air pipes and intercooler for any leaks , it would be best to get a smoke test done,
so your MAF could be fine,
Have you got any oil on the intercooler ?
Dave

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by davebb

Hi Dave
When Vida or any other diag Tool says MAF or any other sensor,
it does not mean that it is the sensor that has failed it means that it is not getting the correct reading from it,
you need to test all of the air pipes and intercooler for any leaks , it would be best to get a smoke test done,
so your MAF could be fine,
Have you got any oil on the intercooler ?
Dave

Thank you. I don't know, I haven't looked at the intercooler

[100K+]

Originally Posted by daveystoat

I will not be paying my local dealer £435. Aside from being a ridiculous amount of money, I don't have it. Even a genuine Bosch one is far too much money.

So, I was asking for actual experiences people may have had with the cheaper ones.

Totally agree £435 is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a MAF. But I have read too many threads on here about non genuine items not fixing the problem. As Stuart says £50 if it don't work is a waste of money, making the cost of buying one that works even more expensive.
One other option you could pursue is 2nd hand, lots of P2 D5's will be in recyclers now, certainly more than when I had to make my choice of where to buy.
Additionally, have you tried running without the MAF connected ? If the car runs ok without falling into limp mode, the issue is the MAF. This was the diagnostic suggested to me when my car had running issues.
I wish you good luck and keep us posted.

Cheers Bob