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MAF Cleaner?

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Old Oct 20, 2007 | 12:52 PM
  #1  
jswanitz's Avatar
jswanitz
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Question MAF Cleaner?

Hello all,

I did a search for acceptable MAF cleaner, and saw a few recommendations.
THe local parts store didn't carry a specific MAF cleaner, but recommended STP Throttle Body & Air Intake cleaner.

Would this be okay to use? Any particular ingredient in the cleaner to look for or steer clear of?

Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2007 | 08:22 PM
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NAPA sells a specific cleaner for the MAF. However, any electronic cleaner would be acceptable provided that it was not damaging to plastics or the intake hose rubber.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 08:20 AM
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rubbing alcohol is just fine.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 05:27 PM
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crc makes a great maf airflow sensor cleaner..get it at pep boys, advance auto, carquest, auto zone, and wal mart.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2007 | 04:46 AM
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go with the crc maf cleaner, its a black and white can
 
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Old Oct 22, 2007 | 08:06 AM
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The MAF cleaner is a waste of money. The element is not that fragile. It simply heats up when in use, the airflowing thru it cools it down and the voltage that it takes to heat it back up is what the EEC reads. The MAF element itself is not an electronic device beyond the voltage to heat it. Rubbing alcohol on more MAF equipped cars than I can count, ZERO problems. Just the facts fellas.
 

Last edited by AdamSmith; Oct 22, 2007 at 08:09 AM.
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Old Oct 22, 2007 | 09:15 AM
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the crc maf cleaner does not leave a residue as does alcohol 70%.. if you must use rubbing alcohol ,then get it in 99% pure from the pharmacy...i am a o scale model railroader and the plain rubbing alcohol leaves a residue on the tracks causes contact problems....so just use the crc maf cleaner no residue. its cheap.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2007 | 02:09 PM
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I was able to locate the CRC MAF cleaner, and it seems to have eliminated a good deal of the hesitation I was experiencing.
Thank you all for your input!
 
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Old Oct 23, 2007 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by boxcar_tommie22
the crc maf cleaner does not leave a residue as does alcohol 70%.. if you must use rubbing alcohol ,then get it in 99% pure from the pharmacy...i am a o scale model railroader and the plain rubbing alcohol leaves a residue on the tracks causes contact problems....so just use the crc maf cleaner no residue. its cheap.
Good info, but once again, there is no "contact" or electrical circuit taking palce here. Only voltage to heat the element. Now if something can change the actual temp of the element then it would affect the MAF.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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thank you adam
 
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Old Oct 23, 2007 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by AdamSmith
Good info, but once again, there is no "contact" or electrical circuit taking palce here. Only voltage to heat the element. Now if something can change the actual temp of the element then it would affect the MAF.
The buildup of "gunk" on the element acts as an insulator, holding heat in and gives false readings.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2007 | 06:22 PM
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Is there really that much gunk on these things? I looked at my maf at 80k and it looked clean to me. I cleaned it with crc, but I didn't see anything on the cue-tip. I don't get how there's that much of an opportunity to gunk up but I could see if there was gunk that it could insulate the wire. Its a real small wire anyway. Doesn't hurt to wipe it clean once in a while I guess, but I usually spend more time cleaning the throttle body and throttle plate and the IAC passage, now that's got gunk...!
 
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by pitrow
The buildup of "gunk" on the element acts as an insulator, holding heat in and gives false readings.
You show me a MAF transfer function thats affected by rubbing alcohol and I'll retract my statement. Seems fair enough to me.
 
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