Chinese Remanufactured LH MAF

[silver50]

I see there are remanufactured A0000940148 hot wire MAF’s, available from China. Varying prices but not cheap. 700-900 mark. Anyone experience of them?

I am not pleased today that the ex MB tech who has my car now appears not to have the Bosch MAF that was on my vehicle. He did say it diagnosed as faulty (he appeared to have borrowed the HHT) but while “old” it had only been on my vehicle for 3000-4000 miles (MB receipt with date/mileage noted) and it didn’t look in any way bad like corroded etc. I suspect it’s been replaced with one of the super cheap look-a-likes (5 pin, box on the side) but he says my car is still hesitant when you go to rev it. It smelt super rich initially too.

This car had been out of use for many years. He says it likely needs driven which there is possibly truth in but if the old MAF doesn’t turn up I may need a quality replacement prior to any further diagnoses. I’m not happy today that the not old, old one seems to have disappeared.

 

[gsxr]

I see there are remanufactured A0000940148 hot wire MAF’s, available from China. Varying prices but not cheap. 700-900 mark. Anyone experience of them?

I hadn't seen any Chinese MAF's for LH injection, but it appears there are some out there now. Found this one on AliExpress for $440 USD list / $330 sale, but it can't be delivered to USA. I would expect these are junk and will not perform like OEM, nor last decades like OEM.

Everything else on AliExpress (link) appears to be used ones for $800+ USD, and the photos look like they are just buying them off eBay and reselling for a profit. Fishy.

I am not pleased today that the ex MB tech who has my car now appears not to have the Bosch MAF that was on my vehicle. He did say it diagnosed as faulty (he appeared to have borrowed the HHT) but while “old” it had only been on my vehicle for 3000-4000 miles (MB receipt with date/mileage noted) and it didn’t look in any way bad like corroded etc. I suspect it’s been replaced with one of the super cheap look-a-likes (5 pin, box on the side) but he says my car is still hesitant when you go to rev it. It smelt super rich initially too.

Oh wow. Your had a new one installed for <4kmi and the tech removed it because it "diagnosed as faulty"?

This car had been out of use for many years. He says it likely needs driven which there is possibly truth in...

What are the symptoms? A car parked for many years should still run normally, and driving it will help further, but won't fix a bad-running engine.

but if the old MAF doesn’t turn up I may need a quality replacement prior to any further diagnoses. I’m not happy today that the not old, old one seems to have disappeared.

I'd be livid.

 

[silver50]

I am livid.

Yes, those will be the ones I saw. Varying prices.

I’d been doing a full underbody restoration with all new suspension so I myself was unable to try driving the vehicle because a full alignment was needed. It was running pretty good but hesitation when revving and smelt overly rich. All new ignition parts fitted incl coils. I had to take a decision on how to proceed hence taking it to this former MB tech. His remit was the running issue and alignment plus a detailed list of a few other things I wanted attended to for example a new trans pan/fluid change.

He’s had the car for over two months and it’s just not panned out how I imagined. He’s quite far away from me too which meant and still means transportation cost as well.

Told him today I was upset about the MAF but there was no “found it” message. Sadly.
Whether it’ll turn up I don’t know.

 

[doolar]

Well he’ll just have to hand you back the MAF? No one, and definitely not a professional tech, would throw out a NLA MAF without consulting the owner.

Unless he can hand it back, he’s basically a thief in my book. I would go there, collect my parts and car and leave. No payment unless he can give your property back.

 

[silver50]

He's already had some payment but there's sure to be some outstanding amount.

I agree it's just awful to not have kept it/simply placed it in my car.

 

[GRAEME JOHNSON]

For the benifit of everyone else who is UK based, who is this cowboy ?
Graeme Johnson

 

[R129 UK]

For the benifit of everyone else who is UK based, who is this cowboy ?
Graeme Johnson

I came here to ask exactly the same question!!!

@silver50 maybe reply by DM if you potentially have an ongoing dispute...

 

[silver50]

I came here to ask exactly the same question!!!

@silver50 maybe reply by DM if you potentially have an ongoing dispute...

I’ll try to remember to reply by PM when I arrive home from work. Indeed I ought not to jump any guns and I don’t know how it’ll pan but I’m not best pleased.

 

[GRAEME JOHNSON]

The original poster kindly took the time to reply to my question via PM and in
light of the arrangement he and the mechanic have come to I dont feel it would
be fair for him to be named on a public forum at this point
Lets hope it is resolved fairly for both parties
Graeme Johnson

 

[JC220]

Well he’ll just have to hand you back the MAF? No one, and definitely not a professional tech, would throw out a NLA MAF without consulting the owner.

Unless he can hand it back, he’s basically a thief in my book. I would go there, collect my parts and car and leave. No payment unless he can give your property back.

I'd guess it most likely ended up being fitted to another customer's car. In any case it is their problem and cost to source you a replacement. Id much rather have a known good original item than any new china unit.

 

[silver50]

I have to say it wasn’t in any way certain it was a known good item. It apparently tested bad with the Mercedes Hand Held Tester. However it hadn’t been on my vehicle for all that long before the vehicle went out of use.

 

[gsxr]

I have to say it wasn’t in any way certain it was a known good item. It apparently tested bad with the Mercedes Hand Held Tester. However it hadn’t been on my vehicle for all that long before the vehicle went out of use.

It depends how exactly it was tested via HHT. Showing a fault code doesn't necessarily mean it was defective. The proper test is to view live data and observe measured airflow in kg/hr at varying RPM's, with the engine at operating temp. I suspect many/most techs don't know this.

 

[silver50]

I suspect you’re right, sadly.