[mrf0151]

If the part is in fact $210.00 then you have diagnostic time, labor to R&R the sensor and finally the light reset. Average labor rate in this area is about $150.00 per hour.
The price you are being quoted does seem reasonable. EVERYTHING is expensive now days.

[Cliff Fr]

You could try buying CRC mass air flow sensor spray cleaner from Walmart. Spray it on the sensor with it unplugged. Then plug the connector back in. The auto repair shops are most likely buying an oem part and adding a markup to it. Resetting the check engine light is very simple. You can buy a handheld scanner that plugs into the obdII port under the dash. The simple scanners are very cheap, check Amazon.

[conman5652@aol.com]

Yes. Because we live in the bubble we will pay it. Sometime it might be better to go into fruit land to get good service at a fair price

[Taekwondo]

$$$ sounds heavy to me. Sumter tire is one of the best & safest garages to use. If their price is that high I would question the price of the sensor & the two screws to replace the sensor. We are all open to their crazy pricing.

[Robbb]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

A friend took her car to the Goodyear near Sam's because the "check engine" light was on. They said it needed a mass air flow sensor. The quoted price was $385, and I got other quotes of $360 from Wildwood Tire and $410 from Sumter Tire. The part is available from Amazon for $35 and the Youtube video shows a guy replacing one in less than a minute by removing 2 screws. I don't work on cars, but even if I did, I think the check engine light would still need to be reset. Do these prices seem reasonable?

This is not rocket science, get a cheap one from Amazon, pull out two screws, replace it. Disconnect the negative cable to the battery for a minute, reattach it. Codes gone light out all is good.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Robbb

This is not rocket science, get a cheap one from Amazon, pull out two screws, replace it. Disconnect the negative cable to the battery for a minute, reattach it. Codes gone light out all is good.

Thanks, that is my current plan. It may not be rocket science, but my history of working on cars is dismal. But, it is worth trying for $35 instead of paying an auto shop $400 for a non-OEM part. By the way, except for the check engine light being on, the car runs fine.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Thanks, that is my current plan. It may not be rocket science, but my history of working on cars is dismal. But, it is worth trying for $35 instead of paying an auto shop $400 for a non-OEM part. By the way, except for the check engine light being on, the car runs fine.

Keep in mind that disconnecting the battery may affect other devices. I had repairs done in another state that required removal of the battery. At the time my car also required a state safety/emissions inspection. I was told that I needed to drive for about 100 miles in order for the "computer" to reset and accurately control the emissions.

[retiredguy123]

Update - I ordered the part from Amazon and the total cost was $37. A friend helped me to install it in about 5 minutes. We disconnected the negative battery terminal, drank a beer, and then reconnected the battery. The check engine light went out and all is good. I would usually just allow a mechanic to repair the car, but 3 shops wanted about $300 for a non-OEM part alone that was readily available from Amazon for $37. To me that seems like an unreasonable markup on the part. I had no issue with the labor portion of their quotes.

[Ecuadog]

Hooray. Thanks for the update.

[Topspinmo]

I would have thought one of them would offers cleaning? but maybe that don’t want to risk return and getting bad rating from those that have no clue?


First thing I would do would buy can MAS cleaner. Remove it and spay it (plenty of tube videos) Most likely it was dirty. If not just replace it, the check engine light will probably go out (depending on model) but most likely might have fault stored?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Update - I ordered the part from Amazon and the total cost was $37. A friend helped me to install it in about 5 minutes. We disconnected the negative battery terminal, drank a beer, and then reconnected the battery. The check engine light went out and all is good. I would usually just allow a mechanic to repair the car, but 3 shops wanted about $300 for a non-OEM part alone that was readily available from Amazon for $37. To me that seems like an unreasonable markup on the part. I had no issue with the labor portion of their quotes.

Overhead and labor, nobody stays in business doing jobs under the rate.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I would have thought one of them would offers cleaning? but maybe that don’t want to risk return and getting bad rating from those that have no clue?


First thing I would do would buy can MAS cleaner. Remove it and spay it (plenty of tube videos) Most likely it was dirty. If not just replace it, the check engine light will probably go out (depending on model) but most likely might have fault stored?

I considered using a cleaner, but you still need to remove the part. So, at $37 for the part vs $13 for the cleaner, it seemed more logical to just put in a new part. I would have definitely tried the cleaner if you didn't need to remove the part.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Update - I ordered the part from Amazon and the total cost was $37. A friend helped me to install it in about 5 minutes. We disconnected the negative battery terminal, drank a beer, and then reconnected the battery. The check engine light went out and all is good. I would usually just allow a mechanic to repair the car, but 3 shops wanted about $300 for a non-OEM part alone that was readily available from Amazon for $37. To me that seems like an unreasonable markup on the part. I had no issue with the labor portion of their quotes.

Excellent, that's my theory as well, I can turn a screwdriver with the best of 'em, and if i fail, there's always a mechanic to fix it. .

Well done!

I will keep you in mind for any check engine lights i get as well!

it pays to be cheap at times!