99 3.4L MAF Sensor

[WhiskeyRiver]

So, my MAF sensor has malfunctioned. Cleaning it helped but didn't fix it. CE light, no vacuum leaks. Bank one lean code.

Got a donor air cleaner box from a rollover 4runner.

Here's the problem: the donor car was on its roof for several hours before a wrecker could get to it. The engine oil drained out into just about everything that shouldn't have oil in it. Nasty. MAF sensor full of oil. Air cleaner assembly had about a quart in it.

So, I'm thinking up some way to clean it.

First, I took the whole assembly down to the car wash and washed it out as well as I could. Nasty job. I look like I stood under the back of an elephant.

Got home with it and it's still a little oily. So I washed everything out with dawn dish washing detergent. Looks better now.

Now, I've removed the MAF sensor and I'm trying to get the oil out of it. I'm thinking I have to be creative since it's a very sensitive part.

Does anyone know if the MAF sensor is dishwasher safe?

I sure hope so. I just took it out of there. Very clean now.

It's in the oven at the moment. I figure two hours at 175 degrees ought to dry it out.

If this works it will not be without repercussions. My wife is not very happy with me right now.

 

[nissanh]

MAF sensor is sealed and how can oil get into the electronics?
You could have simply use MAF cleaner to clean the resistor.

 

[WhiskeyRiver]

MAF sensor is sealed and how can oil get into the electronics?
You could have simply use MAF cleaner to clean the resistor.

It's not the electronics that worries me. The orifice down the middle was full of oil. There's a set of wires down there. Beneath an ounce of motor oil.

 

[TheDurk]

It's not the electronics that worries me. The orifice down the middle was full of oil. There's a set of wires down there. Beneath an ounce of motor oil.

Down there, I wouldn't use anything other than air (gently) and MAF cleaner, even if it takes a whole can.

 

[WhiskeyRiver]

Vehicle was upside down. Tube was full of mobile 1.

 

[WhiskeyRiver]

RESULLT!!!

Ok. Here's what I know to be true. I have washed electronic circuit boards of all types in the dishwasher and dried on very low heat for a couple of hours. Fixes a lot of problems. Some dirt is VERY conductive. For example, the dirt floating around a machine shop or in a shop that turns brake rotors and such is much more conductive than the dirt in Grama's house. You can wash dirty electronic circuit boards in the dishwasher with very good results. Use half the recommended detergent. The detergent must be granular and not liquid. And, there can't be an streak-free stuff in the dishwasher. Very low heat in the oven for a couple of hours to remove any leftover moisture. Reassemble and marvel at the results.

So, I applied what I know about electronics to this MAF sensor. With one twist: After the wash and the dry I then cleaned it with CRC Mass Airflow cleaner.

The result: Awesome! Engine purrs like a kitten with no CE light. I'll have it code scanned at the shop Monday but the immediate result seems perfect.

WR

 

[ridefast]

I recently bought a 99 with a po171 light. I used about 3/4 of maf sensor cleaner cleaning my sensor. I also noticed that my pcv wasn't functioning properly (stuck in the closed position). Also there was a ever so slight hesitation in the throttle.

I did a proper tuneup:
oem plugs
oem wires
oem fuel filter
oem pcv and grommet
removed throttle body and cleaned
all new fluids except tranny and cooling system (new oem thermostat/gasket hoses and oem coolent on the way)
and my 4runner runs like brand new!
new airaid mit install (the rubber boots were cracked)
166,435 on the odo.

I know you mentioned you have a maf malfunction but consider a full tune up. My truck already ran good when I bought it but this tuneup really made her mechanically shine!