MAF cleaning works!

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Drew99GT

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My Dad's 98 Blazer has gradually started to run worse over the last few years. Not bad, but down on power a bit, some hesitation and sag, and lower fuel economy. Ignition parts are fresh.

Recently, when it gets hot out, if it idles for a bit or is shut off and then restarted, it has horrible bog and hesitation. No codes at all. I've been researching this and found many recommendations to clean the MAF sensor, so I just did. Despite regular air filter replacements and a tight sealed intake tract, the entire sensor, honey comb, and hot wires were absolutely filthy with black grime. Being the cheapskate I am, I carefully cleaned the hot wires and the entire housing with rubbing alcohol and q-tips. Disconnected the battery to reset the computer, got it back together, took it for a drive, and it's like driving a new car. Really amazing something so simple could have such a dramatic affect.
 
I've read where some people are doing it everytime they change their air filter; that's a bit obsessive IMO. This one had 230,000 miles of built up gunk on it, so I'm sure that's what made the difference. There was probably a 1/16th of an inch layer of black grime on every upwind facing surface inside the housing.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I've read where some people are doing it everytime they change their air filter; that's a bit obsessive IMO. This one had 230,000 miles of built up gunk on it, so I'm sure that's what made the difference. There was probably a 1/16th of an inch layer of black grime on every upwind facing surface inside the housing.


Yeah cleaning every air filter change might be excessive. I do mine usually at the start of the summer before my first track outing.
 
I don't touch them unless there is a concern with fuel economy or performance, even if it is visibly dirty because I find that you can cause more problems than good in some cases.

The last one I did was in the Toyota Corolla a few months ago that was setting a CEL and it seemed to take care of it. It was really gunked up with dust.
 
It is true that sometimes a dirty MAF sensor won't trigger a CEL light or cause a big problem BUT the car may seem a bit sluggish....

However you need to BE EXTREMELY careful around the fragile sensor elements especially the "hot film" elements ....
YOU SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE HOT FILM ELEMENTS only use a RESUIDE free electronics cleaner like CRC MAF cleaner or MAF QD Electronics cleaners on them.
 
I have used brake cleaner and Q-Tips... I know it's not the "Official" stuff but it works great!
grin2.gif
 
Yeah, this is like the third time Ive heard of someone using q-tips on a MAF sensor. First time I heard of it because the guy posted that his car ran like trash after cleaning. He had to buy a new sensor to make it right.
 
But I don't apply force to the Q-Tip, I just rub it ever so gently against the filament if the force of the spray alone doesn't clean it itself.
 
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Yeah, this is like the third time Ive heard of someone using q-tips on a MAF sensor. First time I heard of it because the guy posted that his car ran like trash after cleaning. He had to buy a new sensor to make it right.


Yea, if you're not careful and break the hotwires. If you're careful, it works perfectly. There are small resistors on the wires. It's not a nuclear reactor!
 
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Yes, I've fixed many cars by cleaning the MAF. However, I use a proper MAF cleaner spray. I would not trust alcohol to not leave a residue, however it is probably OK and sounds like it worked out for you. I fixed a stalling problem on a Mazda truck last week by doing that.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Yeah, this is like the third time Ive heard of someone using q-tips on a MAF sensor. First time I heard of it because the guy posted that his car ran like trash after cleaning. He had to buy a new sensor to make it right.


Yea, if you're not careful and break the hotwires. If you're careful, it works perfectly. There are small resistors on the wires. It's not a nuclear reactor!

No, it not a nuclear reactor, but a new one for my car is $150 + $35 core. Ill buy the electrical cleaner, thanks.
 
Drew - Go back with dedicated MAF spray cleaner and do it again.
It is only about $6, and the can will last a long time.
Give it your best shot at this point.

I think MAFs should be cleaned every year or two at most for normal street cars.
With a K+N type of oiled filter - a lot more.
 
MAF cleaner is the same as Electrical contact cleaner correct?

Not that I have bought it (I use brake cleaner) but wanted to make sure.

The electrical contact cleaner I have says sensor safe.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
MAF cleaner is the same as Electrical contact cleaner correct?

Not that I have bought it (I use brake cleaner) but wanted to make sure.

The electrical contact cleaner I have says sensor safe.


It must be a NON Residue electronics cleaner...

A quality product that will not leave a film behind or damage plastics is CRC QD electronics cleaner. It will do the same thing as the MAF cleaner.
 
Yeah it says it doesn't harm sensors, and doesn't leave a residue...

Just a can I had from another project and was going to clean my MAF even though it doesn't seem to be a problem in case it is dirty.

I have over 300K KM's on my SUV so it has got to be somewhat coated I would think.
 
This is one thing that pays to get the real thing - dedicated spray MAF cleaner..
Often , electrical cleaner says "leaves no residue', but also says it leave a protective coating!
Other cleaner can work OK, fur sure. The dirtier the MAF, the more improvement there will be. But It is not expensive to get the real thing. MAF sensors can be incredibly sensitive.
 
i used q-tips a couple times but it left cotton strands. now i just spray w/ MAF cleaner.

and if your MAF is that dirty, you should do a throttle body cleaning and shoot it out. water spray would also be good when hot. i think you'll see another improvement after that, and a bottle of Redline SI-1 in the fuel
 
I would only do this as a last resort. I decided to clean a perfectly good MAF with 'Blue Shower' contact cleaner... just a quick lite spray. Killed it. About $250 later the reman one worked fine. Sometimes being proactive is not a good thing or as everyone knows -- IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT!
 
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