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  #1  
Old 07-26-2010, 05:02 PM
STL STL is offline
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Default How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

You should clean your Mass Air Flow Sensor every time you change your air filter or clean your reusable air filter.

NEVER TOUCH THE METAL PART OF THE SENSOR. OR ON OLDER STYLE MAF NEVER TOUCH THE METAL WIRES


Some older model MAF are different design then the one in this How To. The Process is essentially the same.

Here are what some of the other MAF designs look like.

On this style remove the 2 torx screws and remove MAF from housing.
1990-2000


The Part marked in yellow is what you will be cleaning.


2001-2003


2004-2010




I am showing how to clean a MAF on a truck that has a aftermarket intake. Same process is used for a factory intake.


Tools Needed:
  • CRC Mass airflow cleaner
  • T-20 torx bit
  • Adjustable wrench or box wrench for battery
  • Paper Towel

MAF cleaner can be bought at any auto parts store. DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE


Step 1:
Remove Negative battery cable.




Step 2:
Locate your MAF Sensor.
It will be located on the intake tube. Just to the right of the air box.
Factory Air Intake Setup.



Aftermarket intake



Step 3:
Remove electrical connector.
There is a clip that needs to be compressed then you can pull the connector out.





Step 4:
Remove Sensor
There are just 2 T-20 torx screws holding it in

Be Careful when pulling it out. They can be damaged pretty easily




Step 5:
Clean the sensor.
Lay sensor on a paper towel




Inside the opening is where the "sensors" are Spray it really good. I usually Spray it for 3 seconds then wait a minute. Then hit it one more time. Let it dry for about 10 minutes before reinstalling.


[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9E5ObJQ0X0[/YT]


Step 6:

Reinstall in reverse order. Do not need to torque the screws down. Just get them snug.
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Last edited by STL; 08-02-2010 at 02:35 PM.
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  #2  
Old 07-28-2010, 12:11 PM
05RangerEdge 05RangerEdge is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

Looks like you just hose the whole thing down including the electrical port? is that good to do? I have a K&N drop in, should i clean that first or is it ok to just clean the MAF alone? I plan on doing this tonight
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  #3  
Old 07-28-2010, 12:33 PM
Black04Ranger Black04Ranger is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

It is super easy to clean the MAF.... I usually spray it clean every time I change my oil.

Is there a point at which you could spray it too much?
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Old 07-28-2010, 01:39 PM
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 05RangerEdge View Post
Looks like you just hose the whole thing down including the electrical port? is that good to do? I have a K&N drop in, should i clean that first or is it ok to just clean the MAF alone? I plan on doing this tonight
I would clean both. Clean the filter while it is drying clean the MAF


Quote:
Originally Posted by Black04Ranger View Post
It is super easy to clean the MAF.... I usually spray it clean every time I change my oil.

Is there a point at which you could spray it too much?
Honestly cant answer that. I dont think you could break the metal wires by spraying it to much. Unless it was old and they were fragile to begin with.

You dont wanna get the nozzle real close while spraying it either. Stay at least 6-8" back. The longer it has been between cleanings the more you should spray it.
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Old 07-28-2010, 06:44 PM
beef08 beef08 is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

havent cleaned mine yet so with an 03 since its a lil different than yours just basically spray the whole damn thing down? and what happens if you touch the metal part?
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  #6  
Old 07-28-2010, 06:47 PM
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

Quote:
Originally Posted by beef08 View Post
havent cleaned mine yet so with an 03 since its a lil different than yours just basically spray the whole damn thing down? and what happens if you touch the metal part?
On the one like you got the little post sticking up the little section to the right is where you spray. You'll see them when you look in there. If you touch them they can break and you will need a new one. Autozone they are 120 dollars
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Old 07-28-2010, 06:50 PM
beef08 beef08 is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

ahh so yea dont touch em aha but im plannin on doing this cuz ive put almost 20k miles on my truck last year and i havent done it
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  #8  
Old 07-28-2010, 08:27 PM
Ranger_EDGE Ranger_EDGE is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

my truck has 108,000 miles on it and i don't think it has been cleaned before. why should i clean it for? if the truck runs perfect why should i spray it? better question how do you know when you need to clean it.
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  #9  
Old 07-29-2010, 01:55 AM
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

You should clean it every time you change or clean your air filter. )if you have a clean able one)

Quote:
The Mass Air Flow sensor is a very delicate sensor. It uses two wires to measure the amount of air flowing into the engine. The two wires are heated (by electricity) and the more electricity used to heat them tells the ECU how much air is flowing past them.

Between very fine dirt and the trend towards oiled filters it's very important to clean the MAF. Cleaning the MAF has so many benefits it's unreal. Between reducing pinging, increasing mileage, and preventing it from burning out (saving yourself $$$) there's no reason to not clean the MAF sensor once every 6 months. Also clean it shortly after installing or reinstalling an oil filed air filter.
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Old 07-29-2010, 05:36 AM
Black04Ranger Black04Ranger is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

You should clean it because it reads the amount of air coming in through the intake, and that reading will tell the ECU how much fuel needs to be dumped for combustion.... so the cleaner the MAF, the better the reading, the better the A/F mixture, the better the overall performance. (and probably a little better gas mileage)
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  #11  
Old 07-29-2010, 06:20 AM
87bullsnkranger 87bullsnkranger is offline
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Talking Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

where's this thingy located i probably would know by looking but rather here from u guys while im couching it out then go look n know right where to train the eyes on, mines 2.9l fuel injected so let me know.
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  #12  
Old 07-29-2010, 07:06 AM
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

Located in same location this how to shows.
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  #13  
Old 08-02-2010, 08:08 AM
05RangerEdge 05RangerEdge is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

Did this over the weekend and cleaned/oiled my K&N. It's like a NEW truck! Very easy to do and I highly recommend it.
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  #14  
Old 08-02-2010, 08:20 AM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

so both of ya'll seen a big difference in performance? I know you said you did Myke. I have 66k on mine, so i guess its about time to do so
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  #15  
Old 08-02-2010, 08:25 AM
05RangerEdge 05RangerEdge is offline
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Default Re: How To: Clean MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)

I am about to role 60K on mine and the sensor was caked with dirt. Sprayed it down a few times and it looked brand new! I work in the dirt all day long too so my air filter was pretty bad but i think the combo cleaning really does the trick. Honestly it is easier to clean the MAF than it is to replace the filter lol.
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