MAF needs replacing right after 30k checkup???

The day I drove home from the dealership for my 30k check-up, the check engine light came on. Coincidentally, my warranty expired while they had the car for the check-up (and ended up doing several repairs for 2wks). I finally got the car back to the dealership (3wks later) and they now say the MAF is electronically "toast". The car still works fine (or at least it seems to?) but they want $500 to fix it. Here are my 3 questions - please let me know what you think before I decide what to do... Note, the previous owner put a Fabspeed airbox in the car, which could be part of the problem from past posts I've read... 1) I bought the car from another state two weeks before the 30k was done. The day before I purchased it, the private owner said the check engine light came on and he took it to the dealer. That dealer said it was only a "fluke" 02 sensor from leaving the A/C on too long while idling (which my current dealer says is impossible) - I have their documentation which notes the computer fault was simply reset. Is it possible to prove that was the MAF back then (when the car still had warranty)? 2) The car's light came on DURING my trip home from the current dealership's 30k check-up - should THEY bear some of this cost even though its no longer under warranty. They assured me everything was in tip top shape after I did all of their recommended repairs (some under warranty, some not). 3) How much do I really need the MAF to be replaced. Can it cause any more problems down the road? Will it just blow up again - seems I remember people have had problems with these before (especially with the Fabspeed airboxes). Thanks for the help - I need it.

1. PCNA should have the fault code record in their database. But that does not mean that the dealer reported correctly. Since no parts were replaced they did not have to prove to PCNA that what they replaced was the fault. 2. Most "good" dealers would give you the benefit of the doubt and replace it once under warranty. If not ask to speak with the PCNA regional rep. 3. Without the MAF sensor operating properly your air-fuel mixture will be off and could cause engine damage if it is off by too much.

$500 seems kind of high for a MAF, when they replaced mine it took maybe 30".

I had a similar experience just a few weeks ago. 30k mile service on my 996 cab, got a CE light on the way home from the dealer. Wonder why? Gas cap was fine, etc. Next day diagnosed a bad sensor, replaced MAF in about 2 minutes. Cost? Over $400. Problem was, the damn CE light came right back on after resetting faults and disconnecting battery. Tech was doing what he thought was all the right things, but still had CE light. Took another day to resolve. After digging into the readings (tech is really good on this stuff) he found the fuel/air mixture was way off, and located a bad Bellows Tube (about $20 parts, 2 hrs labor), and replaced. All is well, but I'm still out the MAF cost even though it was probably fine.

My MAF went after 4,000 miles. It seems to be a problem for the 996's.

I have heard a few reports that the BMC air filter used in the Fabspeed intake can damage the MAF sensor due to excessive oil coating the wires. It has been suggested to let the filter sit on newspaper for a while to absorb the excess oil.

Well, here's how it ended. After the dealer told me the MAF was "toast", I had a day to decide what to do before I got back into town and had to pick the car up. After reading about some things, finding the part for $120 (compared to the $500 the dealer wanted to charge), I decided I would see what an independent shop would charge. I called my guy at the dealer (who I like by the way) and told him I was very frustrated with the whole thing - see my earlier post to get the full background - and that I was just going to pick the car up and figure something out to do about the CEL. Well, I landed at the airport later that day, hopped in a car to go over to the dealer and called him to let him know I was picking up the car in an hour. I was pleasantly surprised when he told me they did the repair for free and that it was all taken care of. Now, he said they did it because it was "the right thing to do" (which I AGREE), but I woder if dealer's have gotten the go ahead from Porsche to do the repair for free if it comes up right after the 30k when people complain - by the looks of it, seems this is a pretty wide-spread problem...maybe Porsche knows more than they're saying?

where did you find the MAF-mass air flow sensor for $120? replaceing the MAF sensor in most of the cars can be done within 5minutes. just to let you guys know it the round piece before the throttle body.

I called this place and they thought they had the part - never ordered it though, so I can't say for sure whther all their info was 100% correct. www.advancedporscheparts.com