PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

About 2,000 miles ago, I had a used engine installed in my 2000 Bonneville SSEi. The engine has been running well. Today the car ran great on my way to the gas station while just about on E. I filled the tank with premium gas and the car immediately began to shut off every time I started it. I was able to drive about 1 mile but no further. I had it towed to the shop that installed the engine and they diagnosed that the mass air flow sensor is bad. The engine came with a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty. Should the mass air flow sensor failure be part of what should be covered by the engine warranty?

Update about an hour after I posted that first paragraph: I just did a little Google research and found that I can replace this myself in about 10 minutes for just the cost of the part...$169 from Delco and $109 from a vendor from Rockauto who is a vendor linked to this site. Probably not part of the engine warranty because I'm guessing the part is still original and wasn't involved in the engine install. I gotta get that car out of the shop! They quoted $415.11 for something a skilled tech could do in 5 minutes. I understand that they shop needs to make a little something off the part but this is just another chapter in in the saga of me getting raped over this Bonneville.

The things we do for love!

Probably not, as the MAF was likely re-used from your old motor.

+1.

The MAF sensor is not really part of the engine. Although it is right at the throttle body, it is considered a separate component. If you need a replacement, get a used one from a salvage yard for about $50-$75. On our cars the aftermarket ones don't last. A used GM one from a salvage yard will be better (lots of Club experience to back this up). Once you have it, clean with some MAF cleaner (use Search for instructions here at the Club). Cleaning and installing new one is VERY easy -- takes less than ten minutes if you've done it before, maybe 30 if a first-timer (who has done his learning beforehand).

You could also try cleaning your current MAF sensor with the MAF cleaner before replacing it. I'm guessing that it won't help, but you'll likely be buying a can of MAF cleaner anyway (around $10 at any auto parts store) so might as well check before getting a new MAF. This will also give you practice at how to put it in/out of your car.

Of course, you currently have a car that it presumably at a shop. If they do these things for you they should not charge more than $40 for labor. $20 would be more fair IMHO, because this really is so very easy to do. Or, you could just unplug the electrical connection from the MAF sensor and be able to drive the car home. It won't hurt the car to make a trip or two without the MAF being hooked up.

Ken_W

00Beast and Ken_W, I didn't realize you had replied before I updated my post. Thanks for your info. I'll look for the used one and put it in myself. Beast, I don't know if you remember this is the car I posted about in January when a repair garage rebuilt the upper engine after I had coolant in my oil and they never cautioned me of the inevitable damage to the lower engine so I could make a smarter decision. The bearings siezed up and the shop wouldn't take any responsibility. I won that battle by getting Visa to charge them back for the labor and let me use it to pay another shop to replace the engine. All that was thanks to feedback I received on this site.

Ken, what does the +1 mean at the top of your reply? I'll be doing just what you suggested to get the car home. I'll find a used MAF sensor tomorrow. Thanks.

"+1" is internet-speak meaning "add my vote to what the guy above me wrote." If the guy following also agreed, he would put "+2" or "x2" or somesuch.

To locate a used MAF at local salvage yards, go to car-part.com and search for an "air flow meter" for your car. The prices are listed, so you can shop around. The same MAF was used in other GM cars, so it does not have to come from a Bonneville necessarily. (The website should only show you compatible cars.) Make sure, however, that upon getting the new part that it is exactly the same part (have the old one in hand for comparison) before you walk away. Besides a visual comparison, there are some numbers on the top that should match. The yard may offer you different pricing for a "warranty" which means you can bring the part back (for replacement or credit -- they typically don't give refunds) if it doesn't work. Otherwise there are no returns. Whether you pay this or not is up to you. Some yards don't charge extra but most do. Most likely your part will work, but sometimes a few bucks for peace of mind is worth it -- as long as it is only a few.

Be sure to do some Search reading before starting the work. Time spent getting educated is time well spent. There are several threads here about MAF cleaning and replacement that will tell you everything you need to know. One thing I'll point out right off the bat is that you will need a special "security" torx bit set that you can get at any auto parts store for around $10. Without this you will not be able to get the MAF out (unless you are REALLY good with tools). There are special anti-theft screws holding it in. Once you have the right bit (assuming you have a handle to hold the bit), you can get your MAF out easily in under two minutes.

Ken_W