1996 855 T5 - Driving without MAF?

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 08 Jun 2016, 14:11

So, a few months ago, I got MAF error codes, CEL and all. I cleaned it, and the problem seemed to be pretty much solved.

Yesterday, the MAF failed in a rather spectacular fashion. I was waiting at a light, when the RPMs suddenly dropped to about 500, and idle started to wander a little. About 200 meters down the road, the car didn't seem to want to stay running, and driving off from the light, I left a cloud of black smoke that a 20 year old, 300k miles diesel Mercedes would have been proud of. 231, 232, 233 were the codes.

Unplugged the MAF when I got home, and that just confirmed the problem - idled fine w/o MAF. Took it gingerly around the block - no smoke, and just a hint of rich running from the smell of it.

I ordered a new MAF on Amazon (had a gift card from the affiliate program, so it only cost me 12.09 USD, including shipping, compared to 380 USD from the local parts store). It won't be here until the 14th, however - is running it w/o a MAF a problem for a few days? Short trips only. There seems to be some not so unified opinions on the matter.

Oh, and pulled the plugs, btw... doesn't take much MAF trouble for them to be completely black as night, it seems.

- S

Post by **tryingbe** » 08 Jun 2016, 16:34

Driving without MAF is like a person driving without the speedo and trying to guess constantly how fast you're going. Not recommended, but if you have no other means of transportation, you do what you must.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 08 Jun 2016, 17:25

According to my gf, I don't pay anywhere near enough attention to the speedo as it is... so I guess I should let it sit until the new MAF arrives. I'll have to grace the local public transportation with my presence.

Thanks for the comparison - I see what you mean.

- S