after maf cleaning

[97tbird]

(97 T-bird, 4.6L sohc v8)

I cleaned the MAF for the first time today...for the first time at 87,000 miles.
Both wires were gray- black-gunky with dirt, there was a cob web between them, and the 4 little mounting posts(?), which the 2 wires are attached to, were really dirty...although I don't use a K&N.

So, I had to spray the wires quite a few times before they looked clean. (I don't know how clean they should look, really). Where it was black earlier was clean and clear-silver-looking, the mounting posts were really shiny.

HOWEVER, the first wire (in direction of air flow) is still brownish/dirty looking on ONE side, the other side looks clean. (the 2nd wire looks clean everywhere)
I didn't want to spray elec.cleaner any more, and didn't want to use the q-tip yet, so I just left it, put it in and reset the EEC.
I noticed immediately smoother and quieter idle, and the car had more power, the really bad pinging is gone, and revvs easier, acccelerates faster. I still don't know if the EEC has already "relearned" yet. I drove more than 30 miles, but almost only highway.
However, I have a feeling it can be even better, 'cause that one wire isn't 100% clean yet.

1) What shall i do with that one still dirty side of the first maf wire?(the dirty side meets the air first)
=use carburetor/choke cleaner, which is stronger than electrical contact cleaner?
=or just use a q-tip with elec.cleaner?
=Would cleaning this wire further help my car further?or should i leave it alone?

I would appreciate if some MAF-experts can help me on this one.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Drew99GT]

I've always used a q-tip with rubbing alcohol. Works like a charm. I never get them completely clean, especially where I know the q-tip will catch and leave cotton behind. So, I wouldn't worry about leaving the backside of one wire slightly dirty. As long as you got the majority of crud off the front of the hotwires, then your A-OK. And it sometimes really does improve engine performance by cleaning them. So, if you felt a seat of the pants improvement in engine smothness etc., I'd just leave it alone until another 80K.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 97tbird:
(97 T-bird, 4.6L sohc v8)

I cleaned the MAF for the first time today...for the first time at 87,000 miles.---***---

---

I'm afraid $$$ to do mine. They run I think 595 or 695 for that little plastic box.
Anyone know of an easy way to do a Tacoma without potential damage?
Got 382600 miles and never been cleaned.

 

[97tbird]

Drew99GT,

thanks for the reply;

you said it won't matter if the BACK side of one wire is dirty;
but it's the FRONT (the side which meets the air flow FIRST)of the 1st wire(again, 1st, counting IN direction of air flow)which is still dirty...
So, do you think i should try to clean it again, 'cause it's FRONT of the wire?
How did you use q-tip? Can you give me any useful hints as to that? Rubbing alcohol is 100% Iopropyl alcohol, right? was it strong enough?

thanks again.

 

[97tbird]

Robbie,

I don't know about how to do the cleaning on a Tacoma, but I was also really scared until I tried it. Cleaning the MAF is the first thing on a car I've ever done myself .
If I can do it, I guess most people can do it, although I do admit that the maf for my car is only about $160, which makes a difference.

 

[Drew99GT]

As long as you felt a performance improvement, I'd just wait to clean it again maybe the next time you change the air filter.

As far as using the rubbing alcohol, I just dip the q-tip in the bottle and gently rub it on the wires. Cleans it right off. I don't know how a Ford MAF sensor is, but the GM ones I've cleaned will sometimes leave threads of cotton where the hotwire mounts across the mounting wires, so just be easy in spots where the q-tip can get hooked on the sharp ends of the hotwires. Just pull off any excess cotton that may stick on those wire ends.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 97tbird:
Robbie,

I don't know about how to do the cleaning on a Tacoma, but I was also really scared until I tried it. Cleaning the MAF is the first thing on a car I've ever done myself .
If I can do it, I guess most people can do it, although I do admit that the maf for my car is only about $160, which makes a difference.

---

Yeah, 160.00 is a lot cheaper than mine, and you can probably find one in a junk yard at half or so, so the potential to "EAT" the repair for a novice is not as bad... Would like to do some PM on it with a simple no touch way. I'm sure if I don't it will go out one day, sooner than if I did something.

 

[Toy4x4]

Hmmmmm...you noticed a sharp decline in the pinging? This may be what is wrong with my truck. I had a K&N and the tubes to the intake had oily dust in them.
Can the electrical cleaner stuff be bought at Radio Shack or

? I'll definately have to try this before I shell out $$$ for a new EGR valve (possible problem).

 

[97tbird]

Toy 4x4,

Yes, I bought the electrical contact cleaner at Radioshack(their own brand).
I've heard that when you run a k&N filter, chance of oil/dust/dirt getting on the maf wires increase a lot! you rpobably should try to clean the maf.

 

[Toy4x4]

I went and got some from Radio Shack and also some isopropylollypop (

) alcohol. Will try to clean it tomorrow and post a followup. Thank for your info.

 

[Toy4x4]

Woke up too late yesterday

. I took apart the components to get at the MAF and when I looked into the intake area, there was nothing like you've described in mine. It seems to work like a door to the intake tubing. The higher the revs, the more the door opens. I'm thinking that there is a sensor on the door hinge

that sends to the computer to regulate fuel and such. The area above the door is sealed. So, I just did some minor cleaning and put it back together.
Lost the reciept to Radio Shack for the cleaner

so I'm out $11 and will still have pinging.

Live and learn

.