MAF Sensor Cleaner-Snake Oil?

[wfd175]

I was reading in a magazine at work at noticed an article on MAF sensor cleaner available at most common autoparts stores.

Is this stuff snake oil, or is there some legitimacy here. It said that it cleans the dust and oily buildup off of the thin platinum wire. It was an actual article, not just an ad. It was in the automotive section of Home Improvement Magazine.

It claimed the usual, easier starts, smoother idle, better mileage.

I did a search and couldn't find MAF sensor cleaner. Maybe we should start a snake oil thread, including the nitrogen filled tires, 20 mpg with a 96 LC with 315's, and the vornado intake pos.

If a cleaning the MAF will help anything, are there any alternatives or methods to doing so.

I cleaned out the airbox with soap and water + the tube to clean the dust and grime out of it while doing my snorkel install, but I didn't "clean the MAF"

 

[CappyKD]

MAF cleaner absolutely exists and is not snake oil. Ask most poeple with MAF's who've put in a K&N or other oil type filter. The need to clean their MAF periodically. I think CRC makes it.

 

[landtank]

there is a MAF cleaner and I've used it. I got a can from a NAPA store. Unfortunately our sensors are built in a way that cleaning them is almost impossible.

I used it on the used sensors that I included in my first MAF kit and the hot wire filament is in plain view on those and it worked rather well.

You will want to spray it into the small end with the cross in it.

 

[sswong98]

My ML320 had a check engine light and the code was bad MAF. After using a whole spray can of MAF cleaner to clean the MAF and resetting the code by disconnecting the battery, the CEL never came back on. It has been about 10K miles.

 

[tommytuttle]

I use regular electrode type cleaner from my Canadaian Tire store on both my Corrolla and 4runner.

I have to do it about every 4 months or so. Quick job in those vehicles.

 

[turbocruiser]

Tommy, I'm curious why you "have" to do this cleaning thing every four months or so, is it throwing codes, do you have an oiled air filter, or is it just a PM thing that you do??? Thanks.

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

Put the entire sensor into a plastic bag (i.e. freezer bag) filled with 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. Shake the contents around and the sensing wire will be cleaned. Make sure to let the parts dry out.

The wire will get hot and an oiled air filter (like a K&N) will spew crap onto the wire which will cause it to malfunction.

 

[turbocruiser]

Tommy, I'm curious why you "have" to do this cleaning thing every four months or so, is it throwing codes, do you have an oiled air filter, or is it just a PM thing that you do??? Thanks.

Bump. I'd still like to learn why this procedure is required so frequently for your rig??? Thanks.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Put the entire sensor into a plastic bag (i.e. freezer bag) filled with 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. Shake the contents around and the sensing wire will be cleaned. Make sure to let the parts dry out.

The wire will get hot and an oiled air filter (like a K&N) will spew crap onto the wire which will cause it to malfunction.

Thats not going to harm the housing or any other parts of the sensor?

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

Thats not going to harm the housing or any other parts of the sensor?

It did not on mine. This solution works for a month or two and then I would have to clean it again.

In the end, I took a chance one a used MAF on EBay. The guy claimed it worked. I bought it for a buck, fifteen bucks for delivery, installed it in 5 minutes and it worked perfectly.

The dealersip wanted $400+ for the part + 2 hours of labour ! Needless to say the dealership owner drives around in a Lambo !

 

[Montana Cruiser]

It did not on mine. This solution works for a month or two and then I would have to clean it again.

In the end, I took a chance one a used MAF on EBay. The guy claimed it worked. I bought it for a buck, fifteen bucks for delivery, installed it in 5 minutes and it worked perfectly.

The dealersip wanted $400+ for the part + 2 hours of labour ! Needless to say the dealership owner drives around in a Lambo !

I'm not sure I'm following. What was going on with your first MAF that it would require monthly cleaning that a new/used MAF solved?

 

[landtank]

more than just cleaning the sensor itself you need to clean the channel it sits in.

Air is drawn in and channeled across the hot wire. On the stock sensor it's kind of a double switch back setup.

If you look at the end that faces the engine you'll see a small crack around the outside of the center nose, this is were the air exits. Air enters the sensor through the center opening on the filter side, it passes over the hot wire, then internally switches back toward the filter, and then switches back again to head out that crack around the nose to the engine.

Just as important as keeping the sensor clean, this elaborate channel also must flow air through it correctly. A build up of dirt and oil from K&N filters and such will reduce the air flow enough to render the sensor useless.

If you look at the newer style sensors this channel has been simplified so the air flows up the stem, across the hot wire and then down and out. Not only is it less likely to have flow issues but is easily cleaned.

If you need to clean a MAF once a month to keep the truck running you are probably also suffering in performance and gas mileage. It should probably be replaced.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

more than just cleaning the sensor itself you need to clean the channel it sits in.

Air is drawn in and channeled across the hot wire. On the stock sensor it's kind of a double switch back setup.

If you look at the end that faces the engine you'll see a small crack around the outside of the center nose, this is were the air exits. Air enters the sensor through the center opening on the filter side, it passes over the hot wire, then internally switches back toward the filter, and then switches back again to head out that crack around the nose to the engine.

Just as important as keeping the sensor clean, this elaborate channel also must flow air through it correctly. A build up of dirt and oil from K&N filters and such will reduce the air flow enough to render the sensor useless.

If you look at the newer style sensors this channel has been simplified so the air flows up the stem, across the hot wire and then down and out. Not only is it less likely to have flow issues but is easily cleaned.

If you need to clean a MAF once a month to keep the truck running you are probably also suffering in performance and gas mileage. It should probably be replaced.

The PO of my rig had a K&N in there when I bought it, but I soon replaced it with an OEM. I would think a good cleaning and the removal of the K&N would be all that is needed to keep it from getting continually dirty no?

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

I'm not sure I'm following. What was going on with your first MAF that it would require monthly cleaning that a new/used MAF solved?

The first MAF's sensing wire was probably corroded and it became "dirty" easily. Cleaning it helped for a month or two before I had to clean it again. When cleaned, it worked great. In the end, a "new" MAF worked as one would expect, without concern.

 

[spartan]

Urinating on the MAF seems to help when in doubt. I have a K&N filter and cleaning the sensor periodically is a functional procedure. Less oil on the filter equals less cleaning.

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

Urinating on the MAF seems to help when in doubt. I have a K&N filter and cleaning the sensor periodically is a functional procedure. Less oil on the filter equals less cleaning.

... only after a night at local Honky Tonk.

 

[GXO]

worked on my 100 series MAF

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

Drinking isoprpyl alcohol will put hair on your palms AND make you go blind.

 

[spartan]

You sound like my Momma...