1. Home
  2. Car Maintenance
  3. So much for aftermarket parts....

So much for aftermarket parts....

Looks like the aftermarket MAF I fitted to my S70 has given up the ghost after just 5 weeks! :-(

Up until today, all was fine, been getting 26mpg on my commute which is 60% urban, 40% motorway - I think that's pretty decent for that cycle in a T5 with over 100k, since the combined figure quoted by Volvo is only 25! However, this morning, I noticed from the start that the performance had disappeared, with no boost coming from the turbo. Ten miles into the journey the MIL came up, and reading the code tonight, it's the same old P0171 "fuel trim too lean" code I had before the MAF was replaced.

I'll get the cause confirmed on Friday at the Volvo specialist. No misfiring like before, but the code match, coupled with the loss of boost before entering limp home mode, suggests that all is not well in the air metering department again (I've checked to make sure there's no new air leaks).

If the new MAF is indeed faulty, I intend to exchange it for a BOSCH this time and pay the difference. TBH, ever since fitting it, I never fully convinced myself that the performance had reached it's old level, but I'd put this down to the psychological effect of having fitted a cheaper part. Now I'm not so sure......

The reason I'm posting this is because it's another example of how it's often a false economy to fit cheaper parts. This is the second time I've gone the aftermarket route with the Volvo (purely due to lack of cash) and lived to regret it. IME, some aftermarket parts are fine as long as they're branded e.g. discs and pads. OTOH, I have an aftermarket exhaust, made by a major manufacturer, and it's dreadful compared to the original!

Stu

Reply to
Stu
Loading thread data ...

Was it a 'Bosch' branded box, bought on eBay?

'Cos they're more often than not fakes.

Reply to
SteveH

snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk (SteveH) wrote in news:1ht6kn2.ydbe4t17glb47N% snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk:

Nah, it's a 'Reg' branded German made one, from Eurocarparts. Thing I noticed is that it's an inferior wire type, rather than a hot film like the original BOSCH.

It cost £100+VAT, but the BOSCH ones are much dearer still, at £189+VAT. Hence my decision, in my present cash-strapped state, to take the cheaper option. With hindsight, £222 for a quality part is much better value than £117 POS that only lasts 5 weeks!

Stu

Reply to
Stu

Stu ( snipped-for-privacy@thanks.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Have ECP refused to replace it?

Reply to
Adrian

After much wasted time with a CV joint years ago on a Scirocco, I try to stick to OE (be it VAG branded or OEM boxed) quality parts, with the one exception being our Lupo's foglight that when first replaced with an OE one promptly got broken by a stone a week later. The OE was better quality though, but twice the price. I really think given that GSF or Euro can provide decent parts at sane prices, it's not worth messing about, unless you are *really* cash strapped and have plenty of time.

Reply to
Chris Bartram

Adrian wrote in news:Xns98D0D014B797Eadrianachapmanfreeis@204.153.244.170:

No, it's only started giving problems today. I've yet to confirm for definite that the sensor is at fault again, but everything points towards it ATM. Being a guaranteed part from a major supplier, I don't anticipate any problems returning it and putting the refunded cost towards a BOSCH one.

First thing to do is see the local Volvo specialist, cos he has a more accurate code reader specific to this make, and he ordered the replacement sensor from ECP for me (without any markup). The receipt I have is from him, not ECP.

Stu

Reply to
Stu

Stu ( snipped-for-privacy@thanks.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

I suspect they're far more likely to replace with the same one. It

*shouldn't* have failed so quickly - if these ones had a habit of it, a supplier such as ECP would drop 'em like a hot potato...
Reply to
Adrian

Adrian wrote in news:Xns98D0D7244F224adrianachapmanfreeis@204.153.244.170:

Well, I've no faith in them (the cheaper sensors) any more, so I'll be asking if I can cough up the extra and exchange for a BOSCH. I'll see how it goes.

Stu

Reply to
Stu

Only things I fitted that were not standard to my Volvo (other than software...) were Brembo HC discs with Ferodo pads.

Reply to
Tim S Kemp

"Tim S Kemp" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@eclipse.net.uk:

Yeah, they're an essential upgrade if you intend to visit a track regularly, as I found out last November when I pulled into the pit lane with dreadfully faded standard brakes and huge plumes of smoke pouring from the front wheels! The discolouring of the disc surfaces has only just worn off in the last few weeks :-)

Stu

Reply to
Stu

Stu wrote in news:1170882852 snipped-for-privacy@sp6iad.superfeed.net:

Got my BOSCH replacement MAF this morning after a phone call yesterday. Disconnected the battery for an hour to clear the fuel trim settings and within 5 miles the performance was back to it's old level, like before I ever fitted that s**te pattern one.

Dunno how I ever talked myself into believing I was getting full performance with the cheap sensor fitted. Within 5 miles of fitting the new BOSCH, it was obvious that the old eagerness to spin the wheels had returned after being absent for the last few weeks. The cheaper part was obviously incorrectly calibrated and/or made with low tolerance components, assuming it wasn't just faulty from day one.

I'm now poorer but happier :-)

Stu

Reply to
Stu

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.