Originally Posted by Will Willard

I have a 2006 f150 4.6 @156000 miles. I had never cleaned this sensor and never new I needed to. My truck has started dying at stop signs or when I slow to make a turn. I stumbled on to this post and you got me wondering. I live way in the country and did not have the right kind of cleaner. And I have other trucks so I chanced it and used B12 Chemtool. I think it fixed my truck but not 100% sure yet. Its not dying anymore. And I did everything I could to make it die. It was bad before I sprayed the cleaner on it. I mean it would die twice just backing out of a parking space to leave a store.

Originally Posted by CelticDevilDog

I know that this is an incredibly simple process but sometimes I find things easier with pictures. I couldn't find anything like that on this site, there were lots of references to cleaning the MAF and I wanted to clean mine. I figured I would create a simple tutorial and give back to the community that has helped me so much.

Here are the tools you will need:
1) CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor cleaner. Do NOT use break cleaner or anything else that is not designed for electronics. About $8 at a local parts store.
2) Flat head screw driver
3) T-20 Torx bit
Attachment 202253

The MAF is located on the driver's side of the Air filter housing
Attachment 202254
Attachment 202255

Use the screwdriver to pull the red tab out. It pulls out like a drawer and not up or down like many tabs.
Attachment 202256

Gently pull the connector off the MAF. If this has never been done on your truck before you may need to use the screw driver on the red tab to give you a little more help. It should slide right off.


Next, use the T-20 torx bit to remove the two screws holding the MAF to the air filter housing. There is one on the top left of the sensor (shown below) and one on the bottom right of the sensor.
Attachment 202257

Gently pull the sensor out. Be sure to not get any dirt into the air filter housing when you remove the MAF.

Attachment 202258

Spray the MAF and let it dry for about 10-15 seconds. Do NOT touch the wires in the MAF with anything other than the CRC cleaner.


To put it back follow the procedure in reverse order.

Cleaning the MAF is a good idea every time you change/oil your air filter as it can get dirty from all the dust and oil that may come through your air filter.

If you have any questions or there is more information I can add to this tutorial let me know.