Galaxy: Replace Pierburg MAF sensor with Bosch?

Hello everyone,

I bought a Galaxy with an AFN engine, 81 kW, manufactured in 1998, with 120,000 km on the odometer, from a Ford dealer and it came with a 1-year warranty. During the first inspection, I proactively requested the replacement of the mass airflow sensor (MAF sensor) – a Bosch unit, 5-pin – which was then carried out.

Here's my problem: The Ford workshop obtained the mass airflow sensor from a VW workshop. The manufacturer is Pierburg (5-pin, with the marking: 32130368.S1). A tab had to be clipped off the new mass airflow sensor so that the connector could fit on it.

Since then, the car has barely run any better. I have the impression that it now consumes about 0.3 liters more fuel. Also, when accelerating heavily and under full load on the highway, it produces a lot of smoke.

My suspicion is that the new mass airflow sensor (MAF) doesn't fit the engine properly (Pierburg as a replacement for Bosch?, truncated connector?). As it appears, the MAF is sending an incorrect air mass reading to the control unit. I don't have much faith in the Ford technicians. They didn't even find any error codes related to the electronic throttle (dirty potentiometer, now cleaned).

Does anyone have experience with replacing this part, or can someone make sense of the number on the mass airflow sensor (MAF)? Is this the correct part?

Thank you in advance.
Richard.

The original VW part number would be much more helpful. It's also printed on it!

Regards,

Manuel.

Richard wrote:

The Ford workshop obtained the mass airflow sensor from a Volkswagen workshop. Manufacturer: Pierburg. Since then, the car has barely run any better. I have the impression that it now consumes about 0.3 liters more fuel. Also, when accelerating heavily and under full load on the highway, it emits excessive smoke. My assumption is that the new mass airflow sensor (MAF) does not fit the engine (Pierburg as a replacement for Bosch?, truncated nose on the connector?). As it appears, the MAF is sending too high of an air mass reading to the control unit.

Hm, under normal conditions (and especially with an excessive air mass reading), the torque limiter for fuel injection should normally engage, so that a functional engine should not produce noticeably (or more than usual) soot.

Unless the engine is experiencing some kind of breathing problem (e.g., clogged intake passages, catalytic converter debris blocking the exhaust, ineffective intercooler), such that a properly functioning mass airflow sensor would trigger the soot filter regeneration system.
Then, a mass flow meter that measures too high could actually lead to increased soot formation...

Perhaps the "Fordler" (mechanics) also installed a vacuum leak, or bent an EGR control hose (so that the EGR doesn't close properly or closes too slowly) -> this can also cause TDIs to produce excessive soot .