MAF Sensor cleaning to improve gas mileage!

[jeremysoca]

Worthwhile After Volant install

I must say this was a very worthwhile proceedure. For some reason, after my volant install my truck didnt run so smoothly. Oftentimes, the trans would be pegged at 3k on the highway without downshifting. Overall, it just didnt run so great.

Trying to troubleshoot this, I thought I would try to clean the MAF. Bought some crc and sprayed liberally. After on my test drive I must say the car drove much more "smoothly" and the trans shifted more optimally. For the trans to do this after cleaning my maf, I dont know. I just know it drove MUCH better. CRC claims a 4-8 HP gain along with improvement to MPG. I wonder how dirty the "tested" maf was to gain such HP. Oh well....net net, this was very worthwhile for me.

 

[Even Steven]

Re: Re: Re: MAF Sensor cleaning to improve gas mileage!

The have advertisements for the most common reason

 

[aso432]

MAF

JB are you saying that, that is a MAF?

 

[greasefingers]

Re: MAF

JB are you saying that, that is a MAF?

Yes that is what his MAP looks like. The wires for the sensor are located inside the plastic housing. No need to spray the electrical connector for the MAP.

 

[simple]

Re: Re: MAF

Yes that is what his MAP looks like. The wires for the sensor are located inside the plastic housing. No need to spray the electrical connector for the MAP.

So those pictures are the MAP? We want to clean the MAF, right? Wsat are the pics of that?

 

[greasefingers]

I am sorry. I have a MAP in my Jeep and a MAF in my 4runner

MAP= manifold absolute pressure sensor
MAF= mass air flow sensor

Yes you want to clean the MAF and yes those pics are of the MAF
I clean mine every 30k miles when I change the fluid for the ATF, transfer case, diffs, and coolant.

 

[kimboy]

I cleaned out my MAF yesterday and it felt like I blew my trucks nose. Not that it has one, but the tranny stays in gear longer and it just feels like the truck is running smoother. Definatly worth the time and effort, considering it took me 72K miles to do this. Who knows what type of 'buggers' were in that maf.

 

[simple]

I bought the spray today...but my truck doesn't have an MAF. At all. Seriously, I looked all over the place and saw nothing like that. It supposed to be somewhere near the big black hose, right? The hose was smooth all the way around, and the big plastic thing thatt attached it to the wall of the hood had nothing on it either. Do 04's have the MAF in a special place...or is my theory that my truck was born without one correct?

 

[Even Steven]

I bought the spray today...but my truck doesn't have an MAF. At all. Seriously, I looked all over the place and saw nothing like that. It supposed to be somewhere near the big black hose, right? The hose was smooth all the way around, and the big plastic thing thatt attached it to the wall of the hood had nothing on it either. Do 04's have the MAF in a special place...or is my theory that my truck was born without one correct?

You have to remove the plastic engine cover to see it.

 

[simple]

thank yo kindly! Found it, cleaned it...although it looked very different from the one on the can. Still the sensor was dirty and the other two wires were also somewhat nasty. Gave it a lot squirts, let it dry, plugged it bakc in, and my baby is running great! Easy maintenance...and I love being able to do stuff on my own!!

Edit- I found this picture while I was searching running boards of all things...but it looks exactly the same as my 04, so if you are an 03-04 4runner looking to do this...this is where I found my MAF

 

[Jacobzky]

its a delicate sensor and just needs extra careful handling the sensor, you dont want to drop it. really easy and simple to do.

 

[97hb]

Cleaned mine the other day, very easy. Don't notice any mileage difference yet though.

 

[retco]

Hey guys ive got a 03 sport v6, when i take that sensor out do i just spray the whole thing. And what do i use to clean the throdle body, just regular carb cleaner. does the motor need to be running during any of these cleanings. THANKS

 

[greasefingers]

Don't notice any mileage difference yet though.

And you will not notice any improvement unless it was so insulated from gunk that was rendered useless. It is because of preventative maintenance that we clean it.

 

[greasefingers]

Hey guys ive got a 03 sport v6, when i take that sensor out do i just spray the whole thing. And what do i use to clean the throdle body, just regular carb cleaner. does the motor need to be running during any of these cleanings. THANKS

Throttle body cleaning can be done with brake cleaner, a rag, Q-tips, and a toothbrush.

But the MAP is different. The heater and thermocouple wires are very fine (thin) so I am afraid to use brake cleaner. That solvent may be too strong? Electrical cleaner or MAP cleaner should be less stringent and safer. If the sensor was not so frickin expensive, then I would try brake cleaner.

 

[msanta]

Where is the throttle body(what does it look like?) on an 03' V8 4runner?

 

[Jacobzky]

TB is found right at the very end of your intake, you will see a flap that open and closes. in other words , its the other end of your intake.

air filter------------->MAF--------------->throttle body

 

[greasefingers]

Throttlebody

 

[msanta]

It seems that the only way to effectively clean it is by taking it off. Is there another way?

 

[retco]

I know a guy thats been a toyota mechanic for 40 years he said to spray carb cleaner in the throttle body to clean it, does the motor need to be running while doing this?