I took my 1999 VW to this shop, because it failed emissions and the check engine light had to be replaced, which he did. After not hearing anything for three days, I called to find out the status of the repair. I was told that it would be completed in the next day or two. I again called two days later. I was told it was ready. I paid and picked the car up, only to have the check engine light come on 3 blocks away. Took the car back and was told to leave it. The next day I called, and again, was told it was fixed. This time, I was told to drive an approximate 10 - 15 mile course which he dictated to me, just to make sure. The check engine light came on again, less than half way through the course. I brought the car back again. For the third time the following day, I was told it again fixed. Repeat of the previous two days. Knowing something about cars, I asked if he had checked the mass air flow sensor. He said that he had removed and cleaned it. I agreed that he should then replace the MAFS, especially if he had cleaned it, but was still getting the error code. He said the part was going to be around $350+. I informed him again, as I had when I first brought the car in, that I was only fixing it so that I could sell it, so I did not want to spend that much when I knew a cheaper sensor could be purchased for much less. The owner started screaming a swearing at me, telling me that he wasn't going to work for nothing and that he had already spent many hours working on the car. He then told me to get out and to fix the car myself.
On the way home, I stopped and bought a can of mass air flow sensor cleaner for a few dollars. I went home, popped the hood, and could see immediately that no one had touched the air sensor because the thin film of oil that covered it, did not have a single finger print on it. Once I started removing the bolts, it further confirmed that he had not touched it. The bolts obviously had never been removed in years, if at all. I had to soak them to get them off without breaking the housing. Once off, I cleaned the sensor, reinstalled it, and the check engine light immediately went out. I went through inspection without a problem. Unless you don't mind being ripped off, my advice is to THINK TWICE BEFORE CONSIDERING USING PINTER AUTOHAZ (Previously known as the AUDI Shop) read more