How often do you clean your MAF sensor? - Page 4

verc · 01-15-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mostasz

Ok, so I just did it! Regardless that it's 22 degrees out.

I should mention that KN filter was on car for about a year, and sensor was never cleaned.

Steps:
Soaked sensor in rubbing alcohol (50%) for 15 mins.
Cleaned it with Q tips - very carefully of course, do not bend heating... thing. It looks fragile.
Do not attempt to clean actual MAF wires inside sensor, since they are even smaller and more fragile.
Sprayed it with electrical connectors cleaner, just to make sure everything is clean.
I dried it using compressed air(can), and then let it sit on the table for another 15 mins.

Pictures:

You know that's not the actual MAF sensor you're taking a picture of, right?

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mostasz · 01-16-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verc

You know that's not the actual MAF sensor you're taking a picture of, right?

Yes, I know, this is a IAT - Intake Air Temperature probe. Sensor part is inside, U can see it on last picture.
Pictures of IAT probe are there to compare before and after cleaning, and to show that something gets cleaner

So far I don't think I can feel any difference...

Badmunky · 01-16-2009, 10:27 PM

Mine was not bad at all. I did not see any change in how the car drove after I cleaned it.

jacky599r · 01-19-2009, 12:55 PM

is this ok to use?
http://www.voltronic-germany.com/Uni...leaner-M60.htm

states that its approved to use for air mass sensor. And able to clean multi surfaces including rubber. I suppose its safe? wanna be safe

jacky599r · 01-19-2009, 12:56 PM

deleted

PJLFC · 01-20-2009, 07:24 AM

Would this be ok to use?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ce=14&doy=20m1

Pete

thunder_lizard_1976 · 01-20-2009, 10:49 PM

I almost forgot entirely the importance of cleaning the MAF on a turbo engine..for some strange reason, the butt dyno notices the most gains immediately after the cleaning.. but actual numbers take days of ECU stabilization and relearn...

byah · 03-11-2009, 11:18 PM

Just wanted to say that today I cleaned my MAF (Mass Air-Flow Sensor), and the idle is wayyyyyyyy smoother, shifting from neutral into first-gear used to sometimes seem to come dangerously close to stalling, but this is no longer a problem! These effects were immediate. Hopefully my gas mileage will improve, we'll just have to wait and see.. oh and FWIW, the screws holding the sensor in place looked like they'd never been touched. My 05 sti has like 72K miles and this service might never have been performed...on my car. Scary.

Some advice I would give from my experience- I don't think you really need to buy the maff cleaner. Q-tips and isopropylene (rubbing alcohol) would have worked just as well.

From now on I'll be doing this with every oil change. Takes just a couple of minutes and it can make quite a difference!

ZOMBIEWAGON02 · 04-09-2009, 02:29 AM

where do I get at this pos at from?? any pics??

SBW · 04-09-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhluhr

not if you do it correctly.

which means:
-carefully remove it from the intake
-spray cleaner onto the IAT probe (the part you can see that looks like a tiny kernel of red corn)
-spray cleaner indirectly up into the hollow of the tube to clean the heater wires. You should avoid blasting the heater wires directly, as it could damage them somehow.
-let air dry
-carefully replace MAF, beign sure to get it pointed the correct direction (plug in front, not in back)
-reset ECU to clear out the AF Learned trims

instructions for those who cant check the first page

ezil71 · 04-10-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flycaster

Not that cleaning these things off once in a while (especially if you use an oiled filter) is a bad idea, but has anyone ever really solved a problem by doing it? I just can't recall reading where someone sprayed the unit, and then said 'eureka, my car was transformed' or 'my idling problem immediately went away.'

Yep. Just did this today after finding this thread. I have 60k, never cleaned it, and found this board trying to figure out why my car felt like crap. Couldn't feel the turbo kick in.

First I discovered the air filter box wasn't seated properly (also reset the ecu)

that helped a bit

over a week later - I cleaned the MAF in some rubbing alcohol.

Immediately felt the turbo kick in again! Can feel a much stronger pull from it.

Please make this thread a sticky in the FAQ's!

Thanks for posting this!

DrewDeezy · 07-13-2009, 03:12 PM

meh.. need to do mine at the end of this week im thinking

TreyS · 08-01-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhluhr

just fyi - if you do mess up that little o-ring, replacements are hard to find. i had to resort to using a completely different o-ring and "making it fit"

What other o-rings can be used? I have one that is nicked and needs to be replaced. Don't want to buy a new MAF if I don't have to.

TreyS · 08-01-2009, 02:12 PM

I went to my local True Value hardware store and found these...

udelslayer · 08-12-2009, 10:56 AM

I was skeptical. I was afraid to touch the 300 dollar maf sensor. Its delicate and I know plenty of people who have broken them on Nissans.... I've never touched the MAF on this car, and its got 60k of my mileage, and 120k of total mileage. I thought my boost was lackluster and I felt the car was slower or I had just gotten used to driving it. I had studdery acceleration, gas mileage bad, and thought that my Clark Turner etune was not much better than the COBB OTS Stage II...

I cleaned the maf this morning. Right before I left on my 34 mile drive to work. I sprayed it down with CRC electronics cleaner. I did NOT reset the ECU or change the air filter.

I dont know if its placebo because I'm paying attention, but I can SWEAR that the accel is much smoother, the car pulls stronger at 2000 rpm and I notice that the Lamco boost gauge needle jumps up to full boostness way faster than it has in the past. Its the cheapest 10 minute maintenance work I've done that been most satisfactory.

Badler · 08-12-2009, 01:42 PM

I have 85k and have never done this. :facepalm:

fastwrx25 · 08-13-2009, 04:55 AM

^^please do...speaking of which. Its time for me to do mine again too.

gonna pick up some o rings and hex allen bolts to replace stock.

hvymetal86 · 08-13-2009, 11:11 AM

I just cleaned mine after reading this thread!

Badler · 08-14-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by udelslayer

I was skeptical. I was afraid to touch the 300 dollar maf sensor. Its delicate and I know plenty of people who have broken them on Nissans.... I've never touched the MAF on this car, and its got 60k of my mileage, and 120k of total mileage. I thought my boost was lackluster and I felt the car was slower or I had just gotten used to driving it. I had studdery acceleration, gas mileage bad, and thought that my Clark Turner etune was not much better than the COBB OTS Stage II...

I cleaned the maf this morning. Right before I left on my 34 mile drive to work. I sprayed it down with CRC electronics cleaner. I did NOT reset the ECU or change the air filter.

I dont know if its placebo because I'm paying attention, but I can SWEAR that the accel is much smoother, the car pulls stronger at 2000 rpm and I notice that the Lamco boost gauge needle jumps up to full boostness way faster than it has in the past. Its the cheapest 10 minute maintenance work I've done that been most satisfactory.

Same here. Finally did it and it really does feel smoother/peppier. I did NOT reset the ECU either. Placebo effect? I don't think so. I am going to keep an eye on gas mileage too.

bangedlegacywagon97 · 10-13-2009, 05:07 PM

Do NA engines like the EJ22 also require the MAF to be cleaned often?

AWDenvy · 10-13-2009, 05:43 PM

Hmmm. I'd like to know if WD40 is an acceptable cleaner.

bannerd · 10-13-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWDenvy

Hmmm. I'd like to know if WD40 is an acceptable cleaner.

It will leave a oil residue, I wouldn't use it. You need a liquid that will dissolve.

constantino7491 · 10-13-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bannerd

It will leave a oil residue, I wouldn't use it. You need a liquid that will dissolve.

evaporate?

bryantkalagian · 02-08-2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhluhr

not if you do it correctly.

which means:
-carefully remove it from the intake
-spray cleaner onto the IAT probe (the part you can see that looks like a tiny kernel of red corn)
-spray cleaner indirectly up into the hollow of the tube to clean the heater wires. You should avoid blasting the heater wires directly, as it could damage them somehow.
-let air dry
-carefully replace MAF, beign sure to get it pointed the correct direction (plug in front, not in back)
-reset ECU to clear out the AF Learned trims

noob question: what are the heater wire and the hallow?

hvymetal86 · 02-08-2010, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryantkalagian

noob question: what are the heater wire and the hallow?

The hollow of the MAF is the open inside of the tube going up from the bottom (farthest into the intake when it's installed) to the top with the plug. The heater wires are very hard to see, but they're up inside the hollow tube. When it says indirectly spray it means not straight up into the tube, but angled so the spray hits the walls of the tube before it hits the heater wires.

View Poll Results: How often do you clean your MAF sensor?
Once a month or more	23	3.50%
When i change my oil	91	13.83%
When it needs it, I can tell by my EM or my butt dyno	159	24.16%
NevAR	388	58.97%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 658. You may not vote on this poll

01-19-2009, 12:56 PM	#80
jacky599r Scooby Specialist Member#: 137631 Join Date: Jan 2007 Vehicle: 2006 WRX Red	deleted Last edited by jacky599r; 01-19-2009 at 12:57 PM. Reason: dbl post

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01-16-2009, 10:27 PM	#78
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jacky599r Scooby Specialist Member#: 137631 Join Date: Jan 2007 Vehicle: 2006 WRX Red	is this ok to use? http://www.voltronic-germany.com/Uni...leaner-M60.htm states that its approved to use for air mass sensor. And able to clean multi surfaces including rubber. I suppose its safe? wanna be safe

01-20-2009, 07:24 AM	#81
PJLFC Scooby Newbie Member#: 102367 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Liverpool,UK Vehicle: 06 Forester STi Crystal Grey	Would this be ok to use? http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ce=14&doy=20m1 Pete

01-20-2009, 10:49 PM	#82
thunder_lizard_1976 Scooby Newbie Member#: 145642 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Sellersville, PA Vehicle: 2005 Forester XS Cuz Chicks Dig The Wagon	I almost forgot entirely the importance of cleaning the MAF on a turbo engine..for some strange reason, the butt dyno notices the most gains immediately after the cleaning.. but actual numbers take days of ECU stabilization and relearn...

03-11-2009, 11:18 PM	#83
byah Scooby Newbie Member#: 177898 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Provo, Utah Vehicle: 2005 WRX STi Crystal Metallic Grey	Just wanted to say that today I cleaned my MAF (Mass Air-Flow Sensor), and the idle is wayyyyyyyy smoother, shifting from neutral into first-gear used to sometimes seem to come dangerously close to stalling, but this is no longer a problem! These effects were immediate. Hopefully my gas mileage will improve, we'll just have to wait and see.. oh and FWIW, the screws holding the sensor in place looked like they'd never been touched. My 05 sti has like 72K miles and this service might never have been performed...on my car. Scary. Some advice I would give from my experience- I don't think you really need to buy the maff cleaner. Q-tips and isopropylene (rubbing alcohol) would have worked just as well. From now on I'll be doing this with every oil change. Takes just a couple of minutes and it can make quite a difference!

04-09-2009, 02:29 AM	#84
ZOMBIEWAGON02 Scooby Newbie Member#: 206319 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: 541 Vehicle: 2002 Outback Sport Green...mostly	where do I get at this pos at from?? any pics??

07-13-2009, 03:12 PM	#87
DrewDeezy Scooby Specialist Member#: 160279 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Richland, WA Vehicle: 2004 STi Crawford Performance	meh.. need to do mine at the end of this week im thinking

08-01-2009, 02:12 PM	#89
TreyS Scooby Specialist Member#: 42478 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Atlanta, GA Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi White/Gold	I went to my local True Value hardware store and found these...

08-12-2009, 10:56 AM	#90
udelslayer Scooby Specialist Member#: 117214 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Youngsville, NC Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wag'n Wagon You can have.	I was skeptical. I was afraid to touch the 300 dollar maf sensor. Its delicate and I know plenty of people who have broken them on Nissans.... I've never touched the MAF on this car, and its got 60k of my mileage, and 120k of total mileage. I thought my boost was lackluster and I felt the car was slower or I had just gotten used to driving it. I had studdery acceleration, gas mileage bad, and thought that my Clark Turner etune was not much better than the COBB OTS Stage II... I cleaned the maf this morning. Right before I left on my 34 mile drive to work. I sprayed it down with CRC electronics cleaner. I did NOT reset the ECU or change the air filter. I dont know if its placebo because I'm paying attention, but I can SWEAR that the accel is much smoother, the car pulls stronger at 2000 rpm and I notice that the Lamco boost gauge needle jumps up to full boostness way faster than it has in the past. Its the cheapest 10 minute maintenance work I've done that been most satisfactory.

08-12-2009, 01:42 PM	#91
Badler Scooby Guru Member#: 133597 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Orange	I have 85k and have never done this. :facepalm:

08-13-2009, 04:55 AM	#92
fastwrx25 Scooby Guru Member#: 126441 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: TPE Vehicle: 03 bugeye	^^please do...speaking of which. Its time for me to do mine again too. gonna pick up some o rings and hex allen bolts to replace stock.

08-13-2009, 11:11 AM	#93
hvymetal86 Scooby Newbie Member#: 203034 Join Date: Feb 2009 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Pennsburg, PA Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT White	I just cleaned mine after reading this thread!

10-13-2009, 05:07 PM	#95
bangedlegacywagon97 Scooby Newbie Member#: 215017 Join Date: Jun 2009 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Redmond WA Vehicle: 97OB 2004 civic :-)	Do NA engines like the EJ22 also require the MAF to be cleaned often?

10-13-2009, 05:43 PM	#96
AWDenvy Scooby Specialist Member#: 202140 Join Date: Feb 2009 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: West Jordan, UT Vehicle: 2007 Fozzie Grey	Hmmm. I'd like to know if WD40 is an acceptable cleaner.