Cleaning MAF sensor?
 

Ok so I want to clean my MAF sensor as suggested in another post. I looked at it and it's sandwiched between the airbox and the plastic intake plenum. It's secured by two screws into an aluminum housing. One screw appears to be a torx drive type and the other does not appear to have a torx or phillips etc receptacle at all. It's smooth with what looks like a thin black plastic coating over it. I don't see how it can be unscrewed, what am I missing here? And I also notice that the aluminum housing it is connected to can be removed from the airbox (4 bolts holding it on). I'm guessing I can just do that instead and spray the cleaner on the MAF sensor that way? Or do I have to remove the sensor itself in order to clean it properly? Thanks in advance for any help...

DO NOT DIS-ASSEMBLE THE MAF! This will destroy it.

Just spray some MAF cleaner into the housing. It's a 50/50 gamble if it will work by cleaning, but it is the cheaper of the two.

How to clean your MAF sensor | eHow.com

http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=26

Thanks everybody. But 93nighthawk why do you say don't "disassemble" it? I don't plan on disassembling it, I just want to clean the element as was suggested by KahnTyrinator in my other post. And as shown in the link 96_4wdr has kindly provided, the element should be removed, gently cleaned as described and then reinstalled. Right???

manufacturer/dealers recommend against cleaning MAF, but then again, they are the ones that sell and install new ones at $150+labor.

i soak mine in a shot glass of cleaner for a 1/2 hour then air dry.

MAF elements can be coated by injested baked on products that prevent cleaning thus require replacement, case by case judgment basis.

look at the elements with a 10x power magnifier before and after cleaning.

search the Aero and other Ford forums for pros and cons of MAF cleaning, lots of info using the search function.

I've cleaned mine regularly. You just need a cheap set of anti-theft torx bits. Remove the sensor carefully - do not let the wires touch anything. Then just spray it several times with MAF cleaner and re-intall it. Here's a good description:
Ford Ranger Mass Air Flow Cleaning, Removal and Installation

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/rodi_2080_481748748

it was way eisier to take the two torques off the small plate -motor side, in the air tunnel.leave the MAF intact, and gently clean the elements with alchahol and a q-tip. thats what i did anyhow. those torks came loose with a small pliers, make sure to tighten good tho, dont want one in the intake.