Hi,

The MAF sensor on my Mk1 VRS is kept in the main black plastic MAF housing by two screws that look a bit like Torx screws but with an annoying protrusion at the centre of the screw (that is clearly designed to do two things; (i) stop a torx bit from being used, and (ii) ruin my day!).

Can anyone tell me what this type of screw head is called, so I can pick up a 'bit' to loosen it ?

It looks like this ----->

Cheers.

thats odd, mine were torx, i have some torx bits in a socket set that have a recess inside that would work, try halfords, i know they do them in some of their kits.

ps tadaaaa

i tried to help!

Thats security torx screw you can get torx bits at bg £ 15.00 for a set they have the hole in the middel but double check if you go they go up a T40

yes guessed it might be, i have some in my halfords professional tool kit, also in a generic bit set.

I bet ebay has them cheaper than that too

I bought a sealy set for about £15 years ago, they are about a foot long though but handy for removing lights too, when I bought new screw for dealers they were normal philips heads lol

Thanks guys ..... very helpful

(I genuinely wasn't doubting at all whether you were helpful Oet, in the other thread ).

Yes, so I googled "security Torx" after reading your replies above, and it seems the proper name of these is "tamperproof torx bits". Bit daft really isn't it. torx bits were originally conceived as a professional application to be pretty much tamper proof, and now we have a further tamper-proof set of bits, that just means spending more cash eh!

The size appears to be T30 so will get a "tamperproof T30" ordered

Edited 21 May, 201214 yr by Longyear

lol i know, its all fun don't worry at all!

If it helps, this is the set I use for these sort of things, not cheap, but good kit.

http://www.machinema...=1&TC=SRC-laser torx bits

top tip Phil, looks like a good set!

not forgotten you btw:>

i found a set like this for under 2 pounds.Yes they are security torx with that whole in the middle.

and for cleaning the MAF I used this....very good product

http://www.liquimoly.co.uk/index.php?p=product_details&id=59

Edited 22 May, 201214 yr by IulianE

I wish I could find one of those bit sets for £2 !!

And thanks for the link to the MAF cleaner .... I am on a new MAF now but have always used 'Electrical Contact Cleaner' in the past, so will try some of this stuff next.

Once you have removed the security torx screws you can chuck em' and substitute a similar size ordinary Philips, dome-headed screw.

Thus in future you can do the whole job with the same sized screw-driver.

Cheers, Terry

top tip terry!

Once you have removed the security torx screws you can chuck em' and substitute a similar size ordinary Philips, dome-headed screw.

Thus in future you can do the whole job with the same sized screw-driver.

Cheers, Terry

Those screws are high pitch thread with cone head,and the housing of the MAF is plastic.If you don't match perfectly the pitch(with the new screws) you'll ruin the housing's thread.

You would better find the right tool,and keep the old screws.

Edited 23 May, 201214 yr by IulianE

"Those screws are high pitch thread with cone head,and the housing of the MAF is plastic.If you don't match perfectly the pitch(with the new screws) you'll ruin the housing's thread.

You would better find the right tool,and keep the old screws."

Thats a fair point although the screws I found seem to be good.

Actually, finding the tool seems to be difficult? On my 2003 tdi Octavia (130hp version), It is not a conventional torx bit (6 points), the ones fitted to my car have 5 points and although I have some 5 point versions these don't seem to fit either - I wonder if they are a VAG thing?

Cheers, Terry

EDIT - this thread explains all! http://forums.tdiclu...?t=58080&page=3 It seems there might be standard 6 point torx AND the 5 point versions on different vehicles.

Edited 23 May, 201214 yr by scotsgent

Wikipedia is your friend: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx

I definitely wouldn't change the screws, just get the correct tool for the job and forget about it.

You can't have too many tools!

Security Torx is incredibly popular (from cars to mobile phones). Security Hex is less popular, but I've seen them used in prison cells!

To VAG, the housing and the MAF are one part. Accordingly, you will find a security screw of some kind. It's a hint that you shouldn't be undoing it (or so VAG think). I've seen 5/6 point security torx, security hex and recently I've seen pentalobe screws.

just get the right pitch thread screws, they are not hard to find.

Job's a good 'un, thanks guys