MAF spray cleaner
06-13-2006, 06:14 PM
#1
MAF spray cleaner
I was in Advance Auto on Sunday to buy a can of Deep Creep, when I spotted a can of Mass Air Flow Sensor Spray Cleaner, made by CRC. Wow....I didn't even know that they had a spray specifically made for cleaning the MAF.
What a great world we live in!
As I disassembled the MAF housing from the air filter box top, I noticed something I had not seen before: dust bunnies on the screen and a few pieces of dried leaves.
They were apparently left their by the previous owner who did not properly change the air filter. when I changed the stock filter for a K&N, I wiped down the inside of the filter box, but I did not clean off the MAF screen because I never thought it would be dirty..
Anyway, I mentioned this just to reinforce the recommendation to clean off the MAF screen when you either change your filter and/or clean the MAF itself with this spray.
BTW, The makers of the spray recommend cleaning the MAF every time you change or clean your air filter.
Now, the cleaner can has a spray tube that attaches to the top, and the liquid itself evaporates almost instantly. So, it is really easy to keep the mess down to a minimum.
To do the cleaning, you start with a cold car turned off. Then you disconnect the MAF power harness. If your car still has a stock air box, you unclip the top from the bottom. Then, you can take the filter box top and MAF housing out by loosening the band around the neck of the air intake and pulling out both the MAF and filter box top as a unit (there is a small screw holding the MAF housing down on the lower right side that you may need to loosen as well.)
Remove the four screws on the MAF housing and pull it out from the filter box top. Rest the MAF housing on top of some shop towels (to catch any runoff). Give each side of the MAF about 10-12 squirts of the MAF cleaner and let it dry for about 10 minutes beforfe reassembling it. You may want to wipe out the inside of the plastic tube if it is dirty.
When I finished with the MAF, I decided to Deep Creep my
intake manifold as well.
With Tropical Storm Alberto blowing on through without any significant rain, it was finally cool enough outside to do some car work. BOY, was it hot last Saturday!
When I was all done, I took the car outfor a spin. I was punching the gas pedal with a couple of good old WOT shots to help the TB go and the MAF glow. It felt very peppy.
Just as I was doing my gumout gambit, this blue, '94 Accord Rice-a-Roni came flying by doing his best Mazda Macarena imitation. OMG! I think he wanted to go for it at the next light!
OK, if he really wanted to help me clean out my fuel system, I'd oblige him. When the stoplight lost its painfully long, red glare, Mr. Jack Rabbit came hoping along, and the last I heard of that Aqua Accord-ian, he was lost somewhere in the previous century.
MORAL: YOU'LL BE MISSIN' IF YOU'RE THINKING OF DISSIN' A NISSAN.
What a great world we live in!
As I disassembled the MAF housing from the air filter box top, I noticed something I had not seen before: dust bunnies on the screen and a few pieces of dried leaves.
They were apparently left their by the previous owner who did not properly change the air filter. when I changed the stock filter for a K&N, I wiped down the inside of the filter box, but I did not clean off the MAF screen because I never thought it would be dirty..
Anyway, I mentioned this just to reinforce the recommendation to clean off the MAF screen when you either change your filter and/or clean the MAF itself with this spray.
BTW, The makers of the spray recommend cleaning the MAF every time you change or clean your air filter.
Now, the cleaner can has a spray tube that attaches to the top, and the liquid itself evaporates almost instantly. So, it is really easy to keep the mess down to a minimum.
To do the cleaning, you start with a cold car turned off. Then you disconnect the MAF power harness. If your car still has a stock air box, you unclip the top from the bottom. Then, you can take the filter box top and MAF housing out by loosening the band around the neck of the air intake and pulling out both the MAF and filter box top as a unit (there is a small screw holding the MAF housing down on the lower right side that you may need to loosen as well.)
Remove the four screws on the MAF housing and pull it out from the filter box top. Rest the MAF housing on top of some shop towels (to catch any runoff). Give each side of the MAF about 10-12 squirts of the MAF cleaner and let it dry for about 10 minutes beforfe reassembling it. You may want to wipe out the inside of the plastic tube if it is dirty.
When I finished with the MAF, I decided to Deep Creep my
intake manifold as well.
With Tropical Storm Alberto blowing on through without any significant rain, it was finally cool enough outside to do some car work. BOY, was it hot last Saturday!
When I was all done, I took the car outfor a spin. I was punching the gas pedal with a couple of good old WOT shots to help the TB go and the MAF glow. It felt very peppy.
Just as I was doing my gumout gambit, this blue, '94 Accord Rice-a-Roni came flying by doing his best Mazda Macarena imitation. OMG! I think he wanted to go for it at the next light!
OK, if he really wanted to help me clean out my fuel system, I'd oblige him. When the stoplight lost its painfully long, red glare, Mr. Jack Rabbit came hoping along, and the last I heard of that Aqua Accord-ian, he was lost somewhere in the previous century.
MORAL: YOU'LL BE MISSIN' IF YOU'RE THINKING OF DISSIN' A NISSAN.
06-30-2007, 01:16 PM
#3
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 39
Thats a joke right? I've tracked down my problem to the maf tho... need to fix it but i won't pay the $$ for a new one if possible. I'm guessing it'll last a while and all. Anyways, the windex idea must be crazy? .. I'm hoping, lol.. If anyone has any idea's please do tell, I have a 95 max, cant run the ac or i stall out because of my rpm's going bonkers.
06-30-2007, 04:19 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 655
The MAF is only a heated resistor sandwiched in plastic film placed in the airstream. The speed of air changes the temperature which in turn changes resistance and the electronics in the box just above it detect this change and sends a signal to the ECM.
Cleaning while a good idea would not improve or fix a failed MAF. There is no maintenance needed for the MAF.
Cleaning while a good idea would not improve or fix a failed MAF. There is no maintenance needed for the MAF.
06-30-2007, 08:06 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,391
altought i would not advise on cleaning the maf with anything, it is possible in theory to have the sensor convey data that is affected by dirt particles covering the element.
when i took my air intake assembly off the grille preceding the mad was covered with microscopic dust, but it was such a small amount that it is unlikely it affects the reading of a hot element such as a maf
when i took my air intake assembly off the grille preceding the mad was covered with microscopic dust, but it was such a small amount that it is unlikely it affects the reading of a hot element such as a maf
06-30-2007, 11:42 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,108
Originally Posted by SVI30
The MAF is only a heated resistor sandwiched in plastic film placed in the airstream. The speed of air changes the temperature which in turn changes resistance and the electronics in the box just above it detect this change and sends a signal to the ECM.
Cleaning while a good idea would not improve or fix a failed MAF. There is no maintenance needed for the MAF.
Cleaning while a good idea would not improve or fix a failed MAF. There is no maintenance needed for the MAF.
What about if you have a K&N pod filter(which are oiled).. this oil residue can build up on your maf hotwire... even people without pods will see crap all over the MAF screen some of that must be making its way to the hot wire.
07-01-2007, 12:05 AM
#7
Originally Posted by killerVQ30DE
What about if you have a K&N pod filter(which are oiled).. this oil residue can build up on your maf hotwire... even people without pods will see crap all over the MAF screen some of that must be making its way to the hot wire.
07-01-2007, 12:39 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 655
Originally Posted by killerVQ30DE
What about if you have a K&N pod filter(which are oiled).. this oil residue can build up on your maf hotwire... even people without pods will see crap all over the MAF screen some of that must be making its way to the hot wire.
07-01-2007, 05:46 AM
#10
Okay some of these posts don't make sense to me. ^^
And cleaning the maf has helped me, well at least it FELT like it. I don't see the harm in cleaning it, I used rubbing alcohol which is the same stuff I use to clean most if not all of my electronics.
And cleaning the maf has helped me, well at least it FELT like it. I don't see the harm in cleaning it, I used rubbing alcohol which is the same stuff I use to clean most if not all of my electronics.
07-01-2007, 07:38 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 73
I've used the CRC MAF spray from advanced auto as well. I sprayed the sensor and the screen a couple times from each side while i already had the whole unit off to do a TB cleaning. With both together i felt a noticeable difference and the spray for the maf is pretty cheap. worth it imo.
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