Tacoma 3.4 Mass Air Flow issues (2 Viewers)

[aomtndwllr]

I put a K&N drop in and ended up having to replace the MAF. Dealer said the sensor goes bad from the oil. I've used K&N's for years and never had problems with them and I think I know how much oil to put on them. I was told run the K&N without oil is still better than the stock filter. I did and guess what? Another new MAF. Anyone else have this issue? Know of a better way? I am considering the deck plate mod instead. Is it worth it?
Thanks.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

Guess you learned the hard way. Hold the k&n up to the light, even with oil, it doesn't filter squat.

I've done them all, and by far the best (especially if you wheel), is in stock form. I still get better mpg and seat of the pant power from closing the deck plate. Besides, MAFs are expensive and will negate any meager gains you're trying to achieve.

If you just have to spend money, get a snorkle, at least it's functional.

 

[hoch]

^^ 100% agree. The 3.4L V6's aren't like LS1's where you get a lot of gain from an intake, header, exhaust. I don't get when people want to put a K&N FIPK, other cold-air intakes and other bolt-on mods. THEY WILL DO NOTHING! Except get you a messed up MAF (sorry you had to go through that, Angelus Oaks Mountain Dweller). Even the deckplate mod is nothing to waste your time and money on, IMO. Even IF you gain 1-2HP, what does that really do? You will go from a 18 second 1/4 mile time to 17.9999999999999999++ seconds, if that. The only way to go, if you want an actual power increase, is FI.

I personally use OEM paper filters, as I have found they do it the best. And fit properly.

 

[Ian Rogers]

x2 of FI for real power, I installed a trd sc, urd 7th, 2.2" pulley, Doug Thorthy headers, and now it is still only a 14.5 sec truck.

 

[ToyotaDon]

BTW, the MAF can be cleaned with carb cleaner and compressed air. It's just a wire that is cooled by the air flowing into the engine, the oil & debris that builds up on it insulates it against that cooling. The ECU measures current flow through the hot-wire, if the reading is skewed by the insulating factor, it will think less air is going into the engine. Less air = less fuel injected by the ECU, then the O2 sensor puts out a lean reading. The ECU sees that lean reading and sets a DTC P0171.

All that to say it's okay to clean the MAF. I've been told so by Toyota Technical Assistance engineers.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

BTW, the MAF can be cleaned with carb cleaner and compressed air. It's just a wire that is cooled by the air flowing into the engine, the oil & debris that builds up on it insulates it against that cooling. The ECU measures current flow through the hot-wire, if the reading is skewed by the insulating factor, it will think less air is going into the engine. Less air = less fuel injected by the ECU, then the O2 sensor puts out a lean reading. The ECU sees that lean reading and sets a DTC P0171.

All that to say it's okay to clean the MAF. I've been told so by Toyota Technical Assistance engineers.

Do NOT clean with carb cleaner & compressed air, unless you like replacing MAFs. The wire is actually part of a sensitive electronic component and they make non residue electronic parts cleaner solely for that.

here... Toyota Maintenance: Tacoma & 4Runner 30K Mile Service

FYI, according to TIS and the FSM, a 171 code is just a generic "too lean" code. It can be related to intake, exhaust, multiple sensors, vacuum leaks (including the brake booster), which is why it's a booger to diagnose.

So YES, it's okay to clean the MAF, but with the right stuff. Save the throttle body cleaner for the throttle body.

 

[Ian Rogers]

I cleaned mine about 20k ago with brake cleaner, then let it drying the sun. Re-set the ECU and drove for a few 100 mi to let the ECU re-learn

 

[ToyotaDon]

As long as they dry without leaving residue, other cleaners can be used, this from Toyota TA engineers.

At the dealer, the most common cause of P0171 is the MAF, on Tacos, Corollas, etc.

 

[hedgehog23]

yup had that error code come up on my taco a wile back. couple shots of contact cleaner cleared up the problem