How long do MAF sensors last?

[jpdeuce]

So I started the car up yesterday after work and took off...only problem is I didn't "take off". Car was a dog. Couldn't get it up over 45 mph...but I caught a downhill on the freeway and something clicked and all the power came back. Very wierd. Thanks to these forums and tdiclub I knew what it was instantly. I'm at about 81K miles so I just wanted to find out if that's a good life span on the old MAF.

Anyway, I had training last night in Arlington and was in the neighborhood of Metro VW. So I stopped by there, got a new MAF...borrowed a screw driver and some needle nose pliers and swapped it in their parking lot in my dress clothes. It didn't help that yesterday was one of the hottest days of the year. The needle nose pliers were crap for that clamp around the air intake hose. But I don't blame the tech guys for giving them to me...I'm sure they knew it would be tough...since I was taking money out of their pockets (basically).

So I got it swapped out in about 20 minutes (wish I had my hose clamp compressors...would have been more like 5 minutes). Started up and "took off"...all power back...no issues. $187 later .

[Atjoer]

Mine was slowly loosing power and at 80,000 miles I ordered a new MAF from tdiparts.com for $80 and the car had all it's power back.
When I looked into the old MAF I could see that some grease was on it and that could only come from the PCV after you turn the engine off so I re-routed the crankcase vent in the open air and I expect this one to hold much longer.

[jpdeuce]

Dang, wish I would have waited on the MAF. Just didn't know how long I could go with it like that. I mean it was a real dog. didn't know how long I should drive with it like that.

[DR.billZ]

Clean the electric connectors with electric connector cleaner, fill the connectors with dielectric grease. Then clean the actual sensor of the MAF with alcohol.
Try it again and see what happens. Better? YOu just saved some $$. If not you needed a new MAF for sure.

[jpdeuce]

Well it's too late as in my first post I explained that I already swapped it out in Metro's parking lot. I am about 100% sure they won't take it back now. Oh well. New MAF...car is running fine. All is good.

[DR.billZ]

I did the same. Don't worry about it. Do the dielectric grease though. My car runs soooooooo smooth now. Big difference.

[jpdeuce]

I've heard about that...what is it? Can I get a small tube of it? Do you just lather it up on the contact points?

[DR.billZ]

Any auto parts store will have it. It is cheap. Yup just fill the connector up with it and reconnect. It is hard to reconnect them because you are now compressing the grease. Make sure you get them clicked together.
I'm not one to "follow fads". This is worth the time and 'trouble' although it is a very easy job. I can't tell you how much better my car runs now. YOu can lug it low in the rpm range and it is unbelievably smooth. Does it make the car faster? Doubtful.