Cleaning the MAF (MASS) Sensor

[Homer]

Just a note for people with these after market oil type filters.

I have had one for about 60,000k's and over the last few months have had engine missfire - which I now think was a rev limiter and regular (weekly +) CEL's.

I decided to give the MAF Sensor a clean (it looked in perfect condition when removed) and it has all gone away and power has improved noticeably.

Half a can of MAF Sensor cleaner from Supercheap is a very cheap insurance policy to keep it in good nick

I'll be doing this at every service interval from now on.

Mine is a V6 so loss of power is more noticeable than the oiler trundlers no just saying that you probably wont be getting the same symptoms but WILL probably be suffering the same problem...maybe fuel economy improvements etc.

I am very careful with oiling (never more than 2 caps for both filter elements) and have done it since I was 10 on dirt bike filters so if it is happening to me it will be happening to you.

Edit: You wont require half a can to do the job...mine had never been done before and I just wanted to make sure if done regularly should only be 3/8 of a can

[Homer]

I just unplugged it and then undid the 2 philips head screws holding it into the air box pipe....pulls straight out as a plastic unit/housing. Has an Oring seal
No real chance of damaging it and it just pops back in on the seal and do up the screws. You wont clean it spraying up the inlet.
With it out you can really hammer it with the spray jet. I hit it full on from point blank (hoping to loosen any baked on oil), waited and did it again about 5 or 6 times.

I don't know if the oilers are different?




Oh..and if you forget to plug it back in...it idles really low and roughly and stalls a lot

[Blue]

Mine is a V6 so loss of power is more noticeable than the oilers which, much to my dismay, will still drive through the 3rd layer of gravity even in limp mode.

QFT

[borngeek]

Very easy 5min job that has helped a couple members (in the Diesel camp) with these symptoms:

1. Heavy smoke puff taking off
2. Loss of power under load (like steep 4wd tracks in 4L)
3. Stalling randomly
4. Increased fuel use

All had in common aftermarket oiled filters. (both brands)
Even people with standard filters should do this every now and then IMO.

Spray is about $20 from supercrap. Dont use other solvent sprays you will damage the sensor!
Tool required: Philips head screwdriver (medium)


//I will add some photos later today of this. But VERY VERY easy maintenance task

[Homer]

Mine is a V6 so loss of power is more noticeable than the oilers which, much to my dismay, will still drive through the 3rd layer of gravity even in limp mode.

QFT

Looks like you are doing your avatar to me

[helicoptercow]

went to find some yesterday... both stores sold out

from memory though, it was a about $25

[Blue]

and you're not resisting...

[trouble]

Is the product that Geek suggests the only or best product??? I ask as I dont have a supercrap store near me only two repco stores, I assume that they will carry a similar product???

[helicoptercow]

yea repco carry the crc brand up here so they should have it. if not i believe any product that carries the MAF or 'MASS AIR FLOW' kinda signia would be apropriate Brad.

[Homer]

Anything called Maf or MASS Sensor cleaner will be fine mate. Don't know if I'd use anything else, but electrical contactor cleaner is probably the same thing?

and you're not resisting...

Sometimes it's better to just sit back and think of England

[trouble]

cool thanks guys heading out now to get some.

[ag9111]

cool thanks guys heading out now to get some.

Good to see you maintaining the missus vehicle Brad

[borngeek]

Some images as promised...

A: MAF is labeled "air flow sensor" in this manual image. Remove plug, then use philips head screw driver to remove two self tappers (dont drop them) The sensor will pull straight up and out. Treat it nice.

AC501395AE00ENG (Medium).png

B: Spay both sides of this little prong with amber blob on top. Do a good spray each side let evaporate then do one more time just for good measure. Dont spray half a can on it!

IMAG0268.jpg

C: Overall picture of all that you will need and see. Easy job anyone can do

IMAG0269.jpg

The V6 Sensor is the same procedure and tools, just looks a little different:

[trouble]

cool thanks guys heading out now to get some.

Good to see you maintaining the missus vehicle Brad

Got to keep them happy
just bought the cleaner now waiting for the mrs to bring the vehicle home.

[helicoptercow]

cool thanks guys heading out now to get some.

Good to see you maintaining the missus vehicle Brad

Got to keep them happy
just bought the cleaner now waiting for the mrs to bring the vehicle home.

[borngeek]

I hope she tells you to stay away from it!

[trouble]

^^^^never^^^^ geeky boy

[fridgie]

Should the title be changed from maff to maf for future searches???

[Homer]

Just realised I had to many ff's...ffs

[trouble]

My MAF is now clean. I does seem to go better or it could be just me thinking it goes better . The sensor looked dirty on one side when I ripped it out but all clean and sparkly now. Good thread thanks guys

[borngeek]

Nice work trouble
If you could see crud on it, it will definitely go better now

[salt36]

Cool as Homer, Mine is getting crap economy atm, 58,000klm's Unifilter.........

[Cowboy Dave]

I did mine a while back having used a K&N. I was getting a lot of black smoke beforehand which appears to have left me after doing the MAF clean. So well worth the effort every now and then. It is only a 5 minute job.

That said the sensor is said to be delicate and you should be careful not to damage the sensor - use the correct spray and don't poke at it or anything silly like that....

[tassie_ml]

thanks guys, I will have to whip mine out this weekend and give it a polish....might do the MAF while I am there

[andyj]

^^^^ No Comment ^^^^^^^^^