Reasons for Mass Airflow Failure in Mercedes From Certified Mechanics in Plano
by europewpadmin October 21, 2020While Mercedes vehicles are known for their high-quality parts, they are still subject to environmental wear-and-tear that all vehicles experience over time. Regular maintenance and personal care of your Mercedes can prevent simple issues, such as mass airflow sensor failure, from metastasizing into a more chronic issue for your beloved vehicle.
In this article, we’ll discuss the purpose of the mass airflow sensor, the symptoms of mass airflow sensor failure, the common causes of mass airflow sensor failure, and how you can remedy this problem for your Mercedes.
The Purpose of the Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor is a major player in the process of the movement of fuel into and through your engine. The sensor measures the amount of airflow entering the engine. A small, electrically-heated wire is positioned next to a temperature sensor, which measures the temperature of the airflow over the wire and sends this information to the engine’s computer.
The engine’s computer calculates the amount of fuel to be injected into the engine for proper ignition and combustion levels.
The mass air flow sensor is essential to regulating both the ignition and combustion processes, so its proper functioning is critical to the performance of your Mercedes engine.
Symptoms of Mass Airflow Sensor Failure
The illumination of the check engine light is usually the first sign of a problem, but here are the most common symptoms of mass airflow sensor failure:
Rough Running or Idling
This problem occurs when too much air is sourced by the engine and the air-to-fuel ratio is imbalanced. Due to the abundance of airflow, the combustion process does not take place properly, causing your car to idle roughly or cause the engine to die. In some cases, the engine may not turn over at all when attempting to start your vehicle.
Difficulty Starting the Engine
If you experience difficulty starting your vehicle, it may be due to a bad mixture of air and fuel. It is recommended to have your spark plugs inspected along with your mass airflow sensor.
Difficulty Accelerating
If you notice a delay or difficulty accelerating, it could be because there is a lack of gasoline reaching the engine.
Excessive Fuel Consumption
A faulty mass airflow sensor gives an incorrect reading to your engine’s computer, causing the engine to consume too much gasoline.
Engine Dragging
If you notice your engine dragging when carrying extra weight in your vehicle, it may be due to a faulty mass airflow sensor. Carrying an extra load requires your vehicle to use more gas to run efficiently, and with a faulty sensor, your vehicle cannot calculate the right ratio of air-to-fuel needed to run properly.
Common Causes of Mass Airflow Sensor Failure
Environmental wear-and-tear is the leading cause of mass airflow sensor failure. Over time, the sensor can become dirty. When this happens, the sensor is incapable of measuring and calculating the proper fuel mix to optimize the engine’s performance and endurance.
In some cases, the solution is as simple as having the sensor cleaned. More often than not, the only option is to replace the sensor altogether. What starts as a minor issue for your Mercedes, a dirty mass airflow sensor-can escalate to more chronic problems in the future if it is not cleaned or replaced as soon as possible.
European Auto Tech Can Help
The mass airflow sensor is vital to keeping the proper ratio of air-to-fuel in your engine and could cause 
further problems down the road if not addressed immediately. This is why you should contact your local Mercedes professional promptly to resolve the issue.
Whether its faulty mass airflow sensors or other underlying issues, European Auto Tech, located in Plano, Texas, can remediate all your Mercedes problems and have it quickly running as designed by the manufacturer.
With over 18 years of experience, we have serviced and repaired most makes and models of European design. Serving Allen, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, Highland Park, McKinney, Park Cities, Richardson, Southlake, University Park, and Plano, our skilled and highly-trained technicians provide the best service and repair for your Mercedes and many other European models. Call us today for our reputable and honest expertise you can trust for all your maintenance and repair needs.