Stripped screw on MAF sensor...

[arkrunner]

Hey gang. I've been reading posts on cleaning the MAF sensor and I don't know if it's ever been done on my 2001 runner. I bought it at 100,000 miles and it now has 138,000 so from what I've read, it really needs to be cleaned. ha Last night I got out all the stuff to do it and of course the bottom screw on the MAF housing is stripped. I got the top one out fine but for the life of me, I couldn't get the bottom one out. If I can ever get it out, I plan on replacing them so I don't have this problem again. Any ideas on getting it out???? Thanks!

Jared

 

[DavidAlexander]

You could use something like a grabit. This will spin in the opposite way and hopefully unscrew the stripped screw.

 

[arkrunner]

Thanks! I'll give both of those a try!

 

[J.A.]

I have a write up on MAF cleaning on my site. I also stripped out the same screw. I describe using a drill with a craftsman screw out bit and it did work to remove the screw. Good Luck.

 

[arkrunner]

I have a write up on MAF cleaning on my site. I also stripped out the same screw. I describe using a drill with a craftsman screw out bit and it did work to remove the screw. Good Luck.

How the heck did you get the drill in there??? I can barely get my hands in there. And could you send me a link to the write-up? Thanks!!

 

[J.A.]

Well the link to my site is in my sig but here is the direct link to the write up. You will need to remove the entire box to use the drill.

 

[arkrunner]

Well the link to my site is in my sig but here is the direct link to the write up. You will need to remove the entire box to use the drill.

Thanks JA. That makes sense. Can you tell me what size screw you replaced the stock with? I'm going to go ahead and run and pick those up so I will be ready to replace them when i get it off. Thanks again. :bigok:

 

[J.A.]

I simply grabbed a replacement screw out of my spare parts box and happened to have one that fit pretty well.

Ghostrider, a member of this site, has posted in the past a screw that he found at home depot that worked well for him. "Home Depot Part number 30699-82558 4mmx10mm cap screw with socket head".

 

[arkrunner]

I simply grabbed a replacement screw out of my spare parts box and happened to have one that fit pretty well.

Ghostrider, a member of this site, has posted in the past a screw that he found at home depot that worked well for him. "Home Depot Part number 30699-82558 4mmx10mm cap screw with socket head".

Perfect! Thanks for the help!!!!! :bigok:

 

[DavidAlexander]

J.A. is the man!:biggrin2:

 

[Ghostrider]

Well that was easy. I ddin't even have to look up the part number
That part number fit perfectly and has a allen wrench head so you never will strip it again. I honestly wonder why Toyota saved a few cents with the rubbish screw they used.

 

[juiceboxer]

I removed mine with a screwdriver from a 99 cent store which I superglued to the screw, then threw it all away and replaced it with two stainless hex head screws.

 

[arkrunner]

I removed mine with a screwdriver from a 99 cent store which I superglued to the screw, then threw it all away and replaced it with two stainless hex head screws.

Now that is a good idea! Hmm. I have a screw driver I borrowed from my dad I could use.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

I removed mine with a screwdriver from a 99 cent store which I superglued to the screw, then threw it all away and replaced it with two stainless hex head screws.

dang i wish i would of thought of that!! or something. i cut the MAF out of the intake tube and just went and bought a new MAFS. stupid me :bash:

 

[juiceboxer]

Jeez, that had to be an expensive mistake...

 

[arkrunner]

Well I've tried everything. I tried the super glue trick. I tried a screw extractor. I tried to drill a small hole to get something to bite and NOTHING worked. The bottom screw is a perfect circle now so I don't know what to do. :bash:

 

[drmorbius]

Well I've tried everything. I tried the super glue trick. I tried a screw extractor. I tried to drill a small hole to get something to bite and NOTHING worked. The bottom screw is a perfect circle now so I don't know what to do. :bash:

You could use a cold chisel and just cut the head off the screw, then remove the MAF and grab the body of the screw with vise grips and twist it out.

 

[arkrunner]

You could use a cold chisel and just cut the head off the screw, then remove the MAF and grab the body of the screw with vise grips and twist it out.

I would, but the head of the screw is counter sunk in the plastic housing of the MAF. If I could get to the head, I would use a dremmil (spelling?) tool and cut a new slot in the head, but i cant so I'm not sure what to do now.

 

[drmorbius]

I would, but the head of the screw is counter sunk in the plastic housing of the MAF. If I could get to the head, I would use a dremmil (spelling?) tool and cut a new slot in the head, but i cant so I'm not sure what to do now.

I have also used a small screwdriver to tap the head around. Sometimes it works.

 

[Stick Figure]

just drill it. Use a drill bit that is smaller than the head of the screw, but bigger than the threaded portion. Go slow, and when it goes through just the head you should be able to remove the sensor. Once the sensor is out of the way you will most likely be able to just turn out the threaded portion w/ a small pair of channel locks or vise grips.