So last night my idle stumbled, and I instantly became paranoid something was wrong with my car. Since I've got an K&N intake and just recently recharged it, I figured that it was possible I put to much oil on the filter, and it got on the MAF causing rough idle. This morning I went out and took a look in my airbox. No oil, but a slight black residue on the screen in the intake manifold. When I pulled the MAF out to look at it, I quickly realized something. I have no idea what a dirty MAF looks like vs a clean one. I don't think it looks very dirty, and that I should probably blame the stumble on a fluke and forget about it. The car seems to pull just as good as the first time I red-lined her, and I haven't noticed any other issues.

I took a couple photos. is my MAF dirty?

 

Dirtier than mine has ever been; MAF cleaner time - cheap and easy.

 

Oiled air filters are 'generally' over-oiled, and will hasten the dirtiness of the MAF. As Kane said, I agree that a cleaning is warranted.

 

nice info

 

My look worse.
But since you've already pulled it out, Just clean it.

I read from K&N site. K&N claims that, with normal driving condition, even at red line, there is no way that filter oil will got blown away from the filter.
http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

 

I'm just leaving it alone for now. It's my understanding that the bulb there is just a temperature sensor, so i doubt it's going to be effected much by the grime on it. The little wires inside seem pretty spotless. I took the car out today and was unable to reproduce the problem.

Don't fix what ain't broke.

 

You are correct about the dark teardrop being the IAT (intake air temp).
As long as you don't physically touch the IAT or the MAF (those two resistors), there is no harm in giving them a generous clean/spray with MAF or regular contact cleaners.
Allow it to air dry before reinstalling!

 

Well, it looks dirty! I've never checked mine, it shall remain a mystery!!

 

that's the dirtiest picture i've ever seen. you may get banned from the forum.

 

Hot naked MAFs! Covered in contact cleaner! Watch as these filthy young IAT's soap up and scrub down!