t may be subjective, but for some time now it seems that my 2001 Fabia 1.9tdi has not got the performance which it had even a year or so ago.
The car has covered 112,000 kilometres ( about 70,000 miles). It seems to struggle somewhat up hills and often has a job to keep up with some fairly ordinary diesel competition.
There are no obvious signs of mechanical/electrical/computer/turbo mis-function
and the car has been maintained meticulously by a VW/Skoda main dealer.
It has been suggested that the mass airflow sensor may be at fault. Any comments on that and if that is the problem, what does a new one cost [and if anyone knows] - what's VW's official labour hours to to the job?
Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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Hi
Does sound like that is your fault and very common. Nice easy test is to disconnect it, then take it for a run if it goes better then that is your fault. You find the default limits it run on with it disconnected is better then the faulty actual reading it is getting when it?s plugged in. As for labour time to fit it?s an easy diy job so why pay to have it fitted as they will charge you diagnostic time.
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Thank you for your helpful reply, MerlinTec.
Modern cars are such a maze of wiring, pipes and so on that I'm (a) not sure I could find it and (b)concerned I might make a mess of the job.
Gone are the days (aeons ago) when I happily tackled an engine out job, strip engine/ replace clutch/cylinder head/change camshaft etc. on my Mini Cooper 970S - although I did get someone else to actually fit the new con rods & pistons! Oh - and I'm practically a geriatic old duffer now, too.
Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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It's a doddle to find and to change.
find the air filter housing on the right hand side (as you stand in front of the car) of the engine bay. In between this and the fat hose that goes to the engine you'll see a multiplug wiring connector. The unit with the wiring connector is the MAF sensor.
I've never done the job, but my brother in law did it on the sister-in-law's Golf fpr the first time, with no manual available, and reckons it only took him 15 mins.
Cheers
DP
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Agree with maf suggestion.
It is v.quick to change. exchange maf from about £70 from dealer or good auto factor.
apparently lots of fake/dodgy ones on ebay so avoid. you might try vagparts.com
You may find that the fastenings are secure - 5 point secure torx like is common. I've posted about this a couple of times so a forum search should find it. Franklin tools do the bits (I think the part number has been given in one of the old threads,)
some people have got away with cleaning the maf, google and there are destructions about.
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Update - yes, it WAS the MAF sensor!
I bought a generic copy via eBay (vendor:- stores.ebay.co.uk/Best-of-British-Rover-Spares ).
it cost £25 + £4.50 postage to a UK address at a box at Gatwick Airport+ 4 euros this end for forwarding to our local business centre from the Gatwick Airport box. (NEVER trust the Spanish post for mail incoming to Spain!)
It cam complete with the housing; I fitted it myself (a simple R & R job) and the car has been transformed!
It even seems quicker than when it was new - purely subjective I guess, but it just shows how one can become used to a gradual deterioration in function.
Today (cough, cough) I saw an indicated 180 kph, all seats occupied, up a gentlish incline on our local toll motorway!
Bliss, but I now need to watch out for Guardia Civil Trafico!
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Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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