Cleaning the MAF

[KellyJ]

I have found a bunch of threads on how to clean the MAF sensor. I bought a can of this yesterday:

Can I use this to follow these directions?
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html

Is this stuff essentially the same as electrical cleaner? And is there a way to clean out the inside of the intake/MAF while I have the sensor unplugged? I need some help ha.

Thanks

 

[004Gunner]

Sorry I can't help you out but I think I'm about due for the same thing. K&N intake put on 45k ago and I have yet to clean the MAF. Let me know how it goes I read that same thread and looks straight forward

 

[birchy]

From what I've read on the threads that stuff is just as good, if not better than, the electronic contact cleaner.

I tried to clean my MAF tonite but I can't get the screws out!! Then again, I don't have any vise grips.

 

[toytech76]

Do not use electrical contact cleaner. Use ONLY mass air flow cleaner or brake kleen since both evaporate and dry clean and fast. Any kind of residue will screw with the sensor

 

[QSVeilside]

Yep. That's the stuff to use. Just did mine a week ago.

Hexane is extremely hydrophobic which makes it toxic and carcinogenic. Make sure you glove your hands when working with it and don't inhale the vapors. Don't pu$$yfoot around with the spray. Put the MAF on a piece of cloth you will toss and go full blast. The pressure alone will push most of the dirt off.

Be sure to blast the two wires, the inside of the ring and INSIDE of the tube.

Great results. Haven't done this in over 30,000 miles. Power and MPG went up.

 

[birchy]

Do not use electrical contact cleaner. Use ONLY mass air flow cleaner or brake kleen since both evaporate and dry clean and fast. Any kind of residue will screw with the sensor

So just to clarify.. the Electronic Cleaner they show in the picture on that link should NOT be used?? Even though it says on the can that it evaporates quickly?

 

[BTLFED]

I've always been told not to mess with a MAF, including by our Infiniti techs. This is making me hesitant to try this. Kinda like "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

This is the first vehicle I have owned that has one so I am new to this part of it lol

 

[RonMAIDEN]

There should be no issues from doing this as the actual wire of the MAF is protected and can't accidently be damaged unless you were trying to. Simple removal and then spray it good and put it back in.

I clean mine every couple of years for good measure.

 

[BTLFED]

There should be no issues from doing this as the actual wire of the MAF is protected and can't accidently be damaged unless you were trying to. Simple removal and then spray it good and put it back in.

I clean mine every couple of years for good measure.

Hmm...maybe I should look into this more then. I can do that, my intake and my deckplate mod (if I can find the damn time lol) all at the same time.

 

[QSVeilside]

Here is a pretty thorough writeup. Mine looked similar except the two sensor wires connected into an amber bulb. If you haven't done this, you won't believe how much dust is on the sensor, in your intake tube, and around the throttle body.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html

Before cleaning

After cleaning

 

[2000t4rAKS]

Do not use electrical contact cleaner. Use ONLY mass air flow cleaner or brake kleen since both evaporate and dry clean and fast. Any kind of residue will screw with the sensor

x2
I cleaned mine using the Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner and did what QSVeilside said...I put it on a rag and sprayed in, out and around the whole MAF and all the dirt came out and then I did the process all over again one more time for good measure and I was able to see the two sensor wires. Before, it was covered with dirt.
This is a very easy preventative maintenance for anyone to do and you will notice your MPG go up a little bit. One thing to keep in mind is that you should be careful removing the screws holding the MAF...you might need a 90 degree angle screwdriver of some sort. I didn't have one so I had to use a vise grip to hold onto the phillips screwdriver bit to get it out.

 

[BTLFED]

Sounds like I should try it. My truck has 125K on it and I dunno if it has ever been done.

 

[QSVeilside]

Sounds like I should try it. My truck has 125K on it and I dunno if it has ever been done.

LOL... I wouldn't be surprised to see your MPGs go up a full one to two points from where it is now.

Post your results/impressions when you get around to it.

 

[2000t4rAKS]

Wow!!! 125K...You will most definitely see a jump in MPG. I did mine at 108K and I saw a difference so you my friend will see something. While you are at it, you might as well just replace the PCV valve, its cheap and simple.

 

[Ghostrider]

Stripping the screws is very easy. I used a dremel to cut a groove and got them out. I then found the best replacement at Home Depot
Part number 30699-82558 4mmx10mm cap screw with socket head
I can now use a hex wrench and never strip them again.

 

[2000t4rAKS]

Very good solution GhostRider. I never thought of that. Congrats!!! I might do the same the next time I clean the MAF.

 

[giguchan]

I just did a K&N on mine the weekeend before last. wish i has seen this earlier...
I also had the 90K done at the dealership... I wonder if this is included in the service.... I thought i read it some where that it was.. oh well.. i'll hafta check.

 

[BTLFED]

LOL... I wouldn't be surprised to see your MPGs go up a full one to two points from where it is now.

Post your results/impressions when you get around to it.

Really? Holy crap! I see anywhere from 18-20mpg now, so if I could raise that by another point or two I might have a heart attack LOL!

Is there a reason people pull the element out when they clean it? Can't I just take the whole MAF assembly and clean it all?

 

[4runDiZZLe]

I've always been told not to mess with a MAF, including by our Infiniti techs. This is making me hesitant to try this. Kinda like "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

This is the first vehicle I have owned that has one so I am new to this part of it lol

i agree w/ you BTLFED "if it ain't broke don't fix it" HOWEVER mine was "broke"... it was throwing up that P code (can't remember which one. but i cleaned it out with ELECTRIC PARTS CLEANER and i have not had a problem since... going on 12,000 miles since cleaning... no more codes popping up...

 

[jarnld]

where is the MAF located? 92 4runer 3.0. Thanks! I unscrewed what I thought was the MAF and pulled it out and ended up messing up bad. I had to resolder the connections inside... help?\Thanks