Is this how the 35d MAF sensor is supposed to be installed?
 

Can someone tell me if this is how the MAF sensor (or what I think is the MAF sensor) supposed to be installed? It just slides in loosely. No clamp or anything holding it in place. I looked at RealOEM but couldn't find anything near that size to hold the part in place. Seems kind of strange.

Pics attached.

I also have 2012 Diesel. I just checked mine, not loose at all. I gave a good tug and it didn't come out of the housing. These were recalled, have you had yours replaced?

Not yet. I'm just confused as to why there's nothing holding it into the big hose. I had it replaced in early 2013 because it triggered a CEL and the dealership replaced it under warranty. Maybe they reinstalled it incorrectly?

you have removed the MAF capsule from the MAF housing...AFAIK, the MAF sensor is the whole thing: the housing plus sensor

yeh, i don't think it's meant to come apart like that :confused:

usually what you have in your hand there is integral part of that plastic pipe assembly you pulled it out of. to remove and/or replace the MAF you'd have to undo the jubilee clip i can see in front of it in your picture. at the rear there should be some kind of clamping mechanism or another clip, maybe it's bayonet-locked. there are gazillions of different form factors for every respective vehicle, it seems (vielen dank, BMW ingenieure!), i don't know my way around the N57 but seeing that jubilee clip in front of the MAF, i'd say it's meant to come apart at that point.

The plot thickens and I'm so confuseeeeeeeeed.

I keep a detailed paper trail of my service visits. I bought this car brand new/custom ordered so there is no funny business from a previous owner. I thought the MAF was replaced due to a CEL a few years ago but apparently it was something else after looking at the paperwork (replaced oxygen sensor 13-62-7-801-158). There has not since been work done to the car that would require access to the passenger side except maybe to replace the recalled alternator & deflection pulley bolt (though I've changed the belts and an idler pulley without even needing to touch that side of the car).

So as far as I can tell, the MAF is original from the factory.

I took out the little cylinder housing where the MAF sits in and I'm even more confused. I thought maybe a service tech took out the sensor and reinstalled it back on the wrong way. That doesn't seem to be the case as there is a tab on the MAF that prevents it from sliding in upside down as well as being fitted inside out. The part where the MAF touches the tube doesn't seem to have residue from any type of adhesive that may be missing. Nothing seems broken or out of place. There are also no spots that I can see where a screw would go or where a clamp would sit like on most BMWs.

I haven't had the "Hot Air Film Recall" done yet. Is the whole circular assembly along with the MAF replaced? If so, then problem solved and I'll let the recall take care of it. If not, then WUT?

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

They strangely both have different part numbers (see pic below) but on RealOEM, it looks like one part. I hope the recall has the whole housing and sensor replaced. That would solve the problem (but not the mystery).

i wondered where that was.:nanana:

???

Looks like a classic OE/OEM BMW/Bosch Maf

Inner hot film capsule has a Bosch part number...but the whole (assembled) parts has one BMW part number (and also perhaps a bosch assembly part number)

I checked mine- it appears the capsule is firmly (glued?) into the housing

this image of yours-my capsule is firmly held onto this- the soft looking, slightly wavy foam strip is not visible.... is it 'sticky' ??

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...d-img_3921.jpg

???

Ard,I think the stickiness is gone on that one.I think my SA said the recall was because they had some come apart like that.Not that the sensor it self was bad. Then we talked about our new Duramax HD's.