Hi, a while since ive been on here..........
In the past 2ish years my 99 alfa 156 V6 has done 2 maf sensors, it just did its 3rd yesterday.
My question/s are why do the maf sensors keep destroying themselves? Is it a common thing,
or is there something else playing up that causes them to self-destruct? im getting sick of
replacing them, so i was thinking is there such thing as a MAFLESS TUNE for my alfa? would it
be worth doing a MAFLESS TUNE?
All opinions welcome
cheers Dale
Welcome back ALFA156DALE, even though the Mass Air Flow don't last forever, they should last longer than that, do you have a sports type air cleaner, that has the oil part of the filter contaminating the MAF element?, Colin.
Thanks good to be back,
The alfa is pretty much stock nothing done to the air intake side of it.
that's unfortunate... my 04 156 v6 is still on it's original MAF and it's just fine...
not sure what you mean by mafless tune... i s'pose you mean to satisfactorily run the car without the MAF.
the answer is no, unless you swap out to an aftermarket system that relies on TPS and MAP (manifold absolute pressure) instead of a air flow meter.
stock immobiliser function will be lost as well if you do that.
bit of an over-reaction i'd say, esp when MAFs can be had from UK starting from 150 quid for the v6. new.
Yeah, MAFLESS TUNE is just to tune the car/ecu to by pass the mass air flow sensor, they do it on the LS ENGINES.
The sensors arnt expensive as you say its just the hassle of spending the money, just know know i will have to do the same thing in 6 months, i cant understand why it keeps going?!?
ahh, i just googled it... interesting, was not aware of it!
so, yeah, nope, not on our engines - we have no MAP sensor as std, and the o2 sensor and obviously afm sensor is in the AFM unit.
you can scope for a replacement sensor only and fit that into your good body if you wish... but yeah, not been an issue for me - knock on wood.
There is an aftermarket ECU call MAPECU. It is designed to emulate the MAF signal so you can remove it or, I think, run the injectors directly. It's really a waste in this app.
Still no answer for why Alfa dale's MAF is carking it. As mentioned, they have reasonable pife span, so something extraneoua is occuring in your system dale.
I can only assume its burning itself out, therefore the element is being coated with something? Have you looked at the units was there anything obvious as for as foreign material on it? Could there be a short in the wiring to it? Is there a leak of sorts in the intake ducting? Are you on overly dusty roads, what's the air filter look like when the MAFs are maffed?
Curious to know why you are having this gremlin mate.
Just to add my experience, firstly i presume your using a standard filter, if not get rid of it, ive even had issues with dry type foam filters.
As for failing mafs, i had 4 fail in my 147 gta in the space of 2 years, couldnt figure it out and did end up getting the last one tested by bosch themselves to try to get a conclusion but they didnt give me any new info apart from the usual " you must be using an aftermarket filter" to which i swapped to standard filter after the first failure.
So as to not being able to getting an answer as to why, i began with an aftermarket drop in bosch replacement, then to another brand i cant remember the nane but began with a p, then on my third failure and after testing all wiring and ecu onto another bosch drop in, but different part number, and lastly to my solution, a complete, geniune maf including housing direct from bosch germany and as im told from a batch as supplied to the factory.
That was 2 years ago now and going strong.
Luckily for me logicar whom i purchased from covered the cost as the situation was a little ridiculous in the end, and all they could say was "bad batch".
Moral of the story, it may cost more, but im led to believe that theres one set of parts supplied to manufacturer, and another as spares. And i can recite a few more of these examples ive seen in my time also.
More German rubbish from Bosch, the pencil coil packs also have a short life too, and the next time someone tells me how reliable Volkswagon Golfs are compared to Alfa Romeo's, will get a size 12 up the nether regions, i used to work in the auto industry, and as spare parts go, this is how it works, all the best bits go to the car makers, as they have ways and means of checking the quality, out of a batch of say 100, they will check x amount and if any faulty parts are found, they will then check x amount, if any are not up to speed they send the lot back, then you have the auto parts resellers, who have not got any way of checking them, and just rely on the companies reputation, after that is the discount parts sellers on ebay and such and at the bottom are the weekend markets sellers, if your MAF is faulty you should return it to the seller, so they know what they are selling is rubbish, i purchased a NEW MAF for a Commodore and it stranded me on the freeway 3 weeks later, it was a brand name from a well known parts seller...buyer beware, Colin.
Yep exactly what im saying! Ever noticed why wiperblades or brake pads on your new car feel and last so well, and even when you replace with geniune from the dealer there never as good.
Ive even heard stories from owner car dealers about swapping discs and pads from a showroom car onto their own car because of the same reasons.
I have also noticed differences between parts as well. The shocking thing is, it's between genuine items from dealers and overseas online sellers.
We know that the company Clean Filters make filters for Alfa Romeo. If you buy a "genuine" filter from the dealer here they have "Made in Italy" on the box. I purchased a couple of "genuine" oil filters for a 156 TS from a UK company online, they were in a "genuine" box, but had "Made in China" on it. So it's either the online sellers have gone to China and got them to copy the part & box, or that you can buy a "cheap OE version" or a "proper OE version". I guess it just depends on how much $$ you want to spend.
I know this is a little off topic and I apologise, but has anyone else experienced the same?
Purchased a 'Genuine' oil filter from one of those online Alfa Romeo places in the UK for my 156 JTS, box has all the genuine markings on it, ie Lancia - Fiat - Alfa Romeo on box, also 'Made in Italy' on box, the important part the filter, made by clean filters Italy, with 'Made in Italy' on the filter, but no TUV or Quality standard on it, a Daikin filter i purchased some time ago was made in China, but had the TUV, [German Quality Standard], on it, one day when i have nothing better to do, i will cut my, [used] oil filters up to see what they look like inside, Colin.
Oil filters are manufactured all over the world just like the same car can be manufactued in different countries. Car manufacturers may also use more than one supplier to make the same part. There maybe a difference in quality but so long as they are not counterfeit, they are the genuine product.
Thanks all for the replies,
I have checked the voltage at the battery with the car running and its at 14.6volts.
Is this too high of a voltage, could this be causing the sensor to lessen its life span
with a sudden voltage spike?
Dale
If you have a open top battery, that you have to keep topping up the acid, then the voltage is too high, if its a sealed battery, then you don't know, if your light globes keep blowing, then it could be a too high charging alternator, Colin.
Looks like your alternator is working fine, that figure is good for a car at idle. I'd imagine a voltage spike would fry the ECU before the MAF. I believe the MAF is only supplied 5v, not sure if that eminates from the ECU or not. I'm starting to lean towards there being a loose connection, how's the connector look?
Not wanting to state the obvious, I take it each time your MAF has failed the engine stated misbehaving?
Connector looks fine all the wires securely in the connector, the connector is still a firm fit to the maf sensor.
Yes, the car plays up once the sensor is buggered, it goes in to a limp home mode, so it will take off in four gear (being the 'Q' system)
As you guys said before maybe I am just the unlucky bugger to get a dodgy maf sensor or two. Also is the regulator external on the alternator or built in to the alternator, because I have gone back through the cars history and it seems to blow a few globes and has done so in my 4 years of ownership also.
once again thanks for the prompt replies
Dale