Changed the oil, cleaned the MAF, wow what a difference (again).

Each time I clean it every year, it's a much different animal again.

Shifting gets better, throttle response, overall peak power, everything.

I highly suggest doing it.

The '97 Cougar 4.6L woke up too - and now shifts fine again.

When I say "shifting" I mean how it completes the shifts, with a bump, or slip, and when the MAF is cleaned, it goes back to perfect.

Again, definitely worth the time, especially if you haven't done it a long time, or if ever

 

I did mine last month.

 

Wasn't it spring LAST month too?

 

What is the MAF? How do you clean it?

Thanks

 

It's a sensor in the intake tube, just after the air box, and on the V10, right IN the air box, that has two filaments in it. The PCM passes current through them, which heats them up, and depending on how fast air is moving over these filaments, the PCM can measure the resistance (which varies by temperature) and figure out how much air is actually making it's way into the engine.

If they get dirty, the sensor no longer reads correctly, saying there is less air getting into the engine. Less air, less gas. Meaning, it runs lean. The dirtier the MAF, the leaner it runs.

To clean it, you remove it from the air box, and spray with MAF cleaner. Yes, they actually sell it now.

Guys? Anyone with a link to a MAF clean procedure?

 

krewat ; just for reference what have you been using to clean your MAF?
We use the stuff from NAPA...

 

I use anything on hand - brake cleaner, throttle body cleaner, rubbing alcohol, basically anything.

The filaments are not as fragile as years past - they are coated in glass it seems.

Almost any solvent that can melt/dissolve grease/road-grime works. Most of the stuff on my MAFs looks like diesel soot

 

Do you really have to remove it to clean it? I usually just shot Electrical Cleaner at it stright down the tube.

 

How would diesel soot get in your maf, your not running behind one are you?

 

Here on Long Island, diesel soot is everywhere.

It's one of the reasons I'm sorta happy about the particulate filters on diesels now.

I guess you don't have to remove it, but it makes it a lot easier to see

 

If you remove and douse it you'll get it cleaner then you can manage with everything still assembled. I tried it all still assembled with minimal results, tried it again taken apart when I did the plugs and ohhh what a difference (of course I also had new plugs :> )

 

I use CRC MAF cleaner. Some brake or carb cleaners can soften plastic so be careful. Taking the MAF out of the truck is the best way to do it. There are 3 wires and cleaner should be shot at a few different angles to clean it properly.

 

Well I did mine yesterday with it still in the tube and made no difference... Maybe I'll give it another try out of the tube...

 

I unplugged my battery while I was cleaning mine this fall to reset the PCM. Might be a good time to do that as well if you're cleaning your MAF.

 

I never cleaned my MAF I think I should do it soon.
Thanks guys for the tips.
~Gage~