E39 528i MAF in Pretoria?

[prado]

Hi Guys,

Do you know of a place in Pretoria/Centurion that sells MAF sensors for the E39 528i, single vanos models?

I do not even want to try the stealers! Their prices are crazy.

Is it OK to drive with the MAF disconnected? I have tried cleaning with carb cleaner but the MAF is not functioning properly still.

Thanks. :thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

What is the MAF doing that makes you suspect it is faulty? As far as I know you can drive the car with the MAF disconnected, it will force the engine to run on factory settings, so won't be as economical and it may show an engine light along with obviously storing an error code. Safest to use a proper MAF cleaner which leaves no residue - not sure about carb cleaner...

 

[Ralf*]

Hi Guys,

Do you know of a place in Pretoria/Centurion that sells MAF sensors for the E39 528i, single vanos models?

I do not even want to try the stealers! Their prices are crazy.

Is it OK to drive with the MAF disconnected? I have tried cleaning with carb cleaner but the MAF is not functioning properly still.

Thanks. :thumbs:

what are the syptoms ?

On my E38-740i, the car kept on dying whenever it came to a stop at the traffic lights or stop street.
not knowing the exact nature of my problem, I disconnected the MAF, and the problem was solved immediately....but it could also be the ICV.

but the engine is now in "basic" mode, no more efficient sensors compensating for air/temp etc,

No warnings, no lights ..nothing...drives perfectly well....except fuel consumption is HIGH, probably will show as an error code during diagnostics.

Alexander advises against prolonged use with the MAF disconnected, as the engine is now running OVER-RICH, and the over-rich mixture now washes the cylinder barrels of their protective oil coating.

 

[Coisman]

Hi Prado

If you are sure its the MAF then here are some people I know at that can help you get one:
Goldwagen Silverton - Sam - 0128044957
Goldwagen Pta West - Marnevic - 0123270820

Also my mechanic that always helps me - Willem - 0832261859

I also have a number for Beemows - 0123276294

Good luck

Regards

Francois

 

[Gizmo]

Over R7500 from the agents, fyi. Priced one about a month ago.

 

[prado]

The car had trouble idling, stalls when I slow down to stop. I disconnected the MAF and it began to idle. Of course, the fuel consumption is much higher.

Yes, Ralf, I am experiencing the over rich fuel mixture with the MAF disconnected. In fact, the car had trouble starting for a few days!

Thanks Cois, I will call Goldwagen and Bemow tomorrow.

Cheers! :thumbs:

Prado

 

[Philip Foglar]

A bad MAF sensor can cause all sorts of issues! Do you have any error codes relating to the MAF sensor?

 

[DieselFan]

To my knowledge, carb cleaner eats plastic. So the functionality of the MAF should not be effected. But the plastic may become brittle.

I use liquimoly maf cleaner to clean my maf.

 

[BmwFrikkie]

Hi Guys,

Do you know of a place in Pretoria/Centurion that sells MAF sensors for the E39 528i, single vanos models?

I do not even want to try the stealers! Their prices are crazy.

Is it OK to drive with the MAF disconnected? I have tried cleaning with carb cleaner but the MAF is not functioning properly still.

Thanks. :thumbs:

Hi, my advise and this is what cost me an engine, stay away from the cleaning sprays....if your car has a Bosch unit, get a Bosch MAF with the same part number at Diesel Electric and pay the R2300 odd. It is the ONLY way.

 

[DieselFan]

It's good practise to clean the MAF and all sensors for that matter.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Overseas they mostly use CRC cleaners for MAF sensors and other components, but not sure who stocks this locally. I have been using LiquiMoly MAF cleaner which is also really good!

 

[prado]

Thanks guys!

R2 300 from Diesel Electric is the cheapest I have come across now, thanks, I will call them tomorrow. Bemow didn't have one and GoldWagen has one for around R3 500.

From what you guys say, I should replace it soon before it causes other issues! I will definitely keep a can of Liquimoly MAF cleaner in my garage from now on.

What a relief it would be to have it replaced - on the brighter side, thank goodness I haven't had any major troubles with my e39 after 9 years of driving it! :thumbs:

And, it was 8 years old when I bought it! I guess it goes with the age of the car!

 

[Coisman]

Prado, when you phoned Goldwagen, did you ask for Sam at Silverton or for Marnevic at Pta West??

And what about Willem, my mechanic, did you phone him as well?

Also if you did, tell them Francois Spietkop referred you.

Good luck Buddy.

 

[Philip Foglar]

At R2300 I would jump at it! Trying to source a new MAF for my E90 but it's not a Bosch unit, it's a VDO/Siemens part and I have tried so many different places locally, but nobody other than the agents seem to have them, and I am not going to waste money on a used part. So R5300 from the agents, and a shiny jar of vaseline... :nonono:

 

[DieselFan]

Philip did you try that international site the one forum user bought his maf from?

 

[prado]

Francois, yes I spoke to Marnevic - I used your name, but I will call your mechanic as well tomorrow. They were half of the agents price, though!

Philip, I am keeping my fingers crossed that Diesel Electric's price for my model is R2 300!

The prices for this part are really crazy! :nonono:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Philip did you try that international site the one forum user bought his maf from?

Yep, they didn't have it listed. But I have already weighed the options and importing is not going to be justifiably worth my while. I can get the part from ECS Tuning for roughly R2500, then it has to be shipped. By the time it gets here with shipping costs and customs, I am lucky if I will save R1k, and then no local warranty on the part (that is also a bit pointless since they will rip you off to "test" the installation and problem if it happens). There's also a local supplier very close to me called Sparxx, they have it listed, phoned them, no they have to import it - almost the same price as the agents price with discount!

 

[DieselFan]

Philip if you want pm me the part number. And I can try organise it for alot cheaper. But also imported...

 

[Coisman]

:thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Philip if you want pm me the part number. And I can try organise it for alot cheaper. But also imported...

Thanks! You have a PM!! :thumbs: