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Cleaning MAF sensor?

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Old Nov 10, 2009 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
Aero-fan's Avatar
Aero-fan
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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...
 
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Old Nov 10, 2009 | 08:01 PM
  #2  
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93nighthawk
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From: Mitchell, SD
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.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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96_4wdr
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From: Washington state
How to clean your MAF sensor | eHow.com

http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=26
 
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Old Nov 11, 2009 | 01:21 AM
  #4  
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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???
 
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Old Nov 11, 2009 | 02:38 AM
  #5  
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96_4wdr
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From: Washington state
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.
 
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Old Nov 11, 2009 | 11:21 AM
  #6  
VanGo's Avatar
VanGo
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From: Wichita
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

 
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 01:46 PM
  #7  
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aeroAL
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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.
 
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