MAF cleaning
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: northern california
MAF cleaning
I want to clean the MAF on my car. I understand that it is a touchy part and if I use the wrong stuff to clean it I will be buying a new one. What do you guys recomend I use.
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I carefully use a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol. Some of the spray cleaners contain ingredients not good for the sensor. Aerosol cans have a static electricity output of around 5k volts. The computer and other sensors might not like this if it gets back to it. So make sure it is unplugged if you do use the spray. 
jim d
jim d
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Cargo Master
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From: Central NY
Originally Posted by LxMan1
I use brake parts cleaner because it leaves no residue and dries fast.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Central NY
Originally Posted by Galveston Yankee
I would think so, too. An udder question. How often should the MAF be cleaned as part of preventive maintenance?
GY
GY
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Crete,Illinois
Cleaned mine at 129K just before I traded it in using the QD cleaner I bought at ACE Hardware. Mine was black but was shiny silver after 3 shots of cleaner. Afterwards it ran smoother and mileage up a little. Just don't touch it - it breaks easily (the little coiled wire).
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
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crc makes something specially for this issue. Its called Crc mass airflow cleaner. Go figure... It works great i was having problems with my maf however it was on my wifes celica. It took care of the problem and about 70$ too. I believe it only costs 5$ or so for it. I found mine at pepboys . I tried looking everywhere discount autozone napa, and this is the only place i found it. Some of these stores might carry it in your location . Crc electrical cleaner works great too. Just make sure when cleaning this fragile parts its disconnected from a power source.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
A couple of comments on this:
The MAF in my 4.6L's and my V10 get dirty in 20K miles. Enough so, that each time I clean them, they run better, shift better, etc.
Now, as to Ford's MAF that they have been using since at least 1996.
The wires on this MAF are pretty solid - the thin wires are wound around what appears to be a glass bead, and then coated in more glass.
No matter what chemical you use, you won't hurt the filaments (wires) on the MAF - you MIGHT ruin the O-ring, if you leave it on the sensor when you clean it, or the plastic base. I've used electrical cleaner, isopropyl alcohol, but brake cleaner works the best. And won't harm anything...
WARNING with BRAKE CLEANER: DO NOT spray it into the intake and let the engine burn it off. The results of burning that stuff is something akin to mustard gas - as in it really is a foul, probably lethal, gas after it's burned.
The MAF in my 4.6L's and my V10 get dirty in 20K miles. Enough so, that each time I clean them, they run better, shift better, etc.
Now, as to Ford's MAF that they have been using since at least 1996.
The wires on this MAF are pretty solid - the thin wires are wound around what appears to be a glass bead, and then coated in more glass.
No matter what chemical you use, you won't hurt the filaments (wires) on the MAF - you MIGHT ruin the O-ring, if you leave it on the sensor when you clean it, or the plastic base. I've used electrical cleaner, isopropyl alcohol, but brake cleaner works the best. And won't harm anything...
WARNING with BRAKE CLEANER: DO NOT spray it into the intake and let the engine burn it off. The results of burning that stuff is something akin to mustard gas - as in it really is a foul, probably lethal, gas after it's burned.