i have been wanting to clean my maf sensor as a preventative measure but i have been told our sensor has a delicate coating for protectant and if electronic sprays are harsh it may strip that protective coating..my question is any of you guys experience maf issues after cleaning? any recommended over the shelf cleaners work best?

thanks

Greg

 

Greg,
I've cleaned my MAF sensor quite a few times and never had issues with an over the counter MAF cleaning spray. Just don't go nuts with the spray and you'll be fine.

 

Ive cleaned mine a few times with spray found at your local parts store (Napa, Autozone, pepboys) I had no issues at all.

 

great thats what i was looking foward to hearing. making sure by cleaning it does not shorten the lifespan

 

I don't scrub the MAF at all. I know some people like to use a small q-tip or something to better clean a MAF sensor but I wouldn't recommend that. It cleans just fine with the spray.

 

MAF cleaner spray at Autozone or the like, or Electronics Cleaner.

You want a spray solvent that fully dissipates and doesn't leave a residue, so don't use WD-40 or similar.

 

Used CO contact cleaner a number of times without issue .

 

I've cleaned my maf a couple times with maf cleaner as well with no issues.

 

Warning, here comes a bimbo question. where is the maf sensor located?

 

On the intake accordion tube. It's in the bracket piece mounted up on top in the middle of it with 2 bolts and wires coming from it, can't miss it

 

On the tube attached to the intake box. Right before the accordion rubber tube. It is screwed on with 2 small philips head screws.

 

I have cleaned it with Qtips. It works good!

 

 

thanks vlaze and ngo, now I can say I've learned something today. I've got my can of spray and my philips head screwdriver, so now i'm ready to roll.

 

I believe there is a DIY on this with pictures in case you get lost

 

I searched but was not able to find it in the DIY forum.....

 

Found this through a little searching

Look at post #19

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-how-clean-maf-94872/

 

DIY thanks to Jon (I like pictures too) https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...71&postcount=9

 

Q tip and rubiing alcohol works fine.

 

I think even a blonde could do it with those directions and photos, LOL

I have a suggestion - now that Vlaze and Huey did all the hard work of digging up the posts on a MAF cleaning procedure, how about the mods fixing it all up and posting us an easy-to-find thread in the DIY forum.

 

UrbanOcho: just PM Zoom44 and have him add it to the DIY list sticky thread.

 

UrbanOcho,

It's a very simple 15-20 minute procedure. Generally, when oil or other residue pass through the air filter, it usually ends up coating the MAF sensor. The sensor is housed in a black plastic piece with a tube protruding out from the base (you can't see this tube until you unscrew the two phillips screws and pull the MAF sensor out.

1. Unscrew the two phillips screws that are securing the sensor to the intake tube. Pull the sensor out by pulling the entire sensor towards yourself. If it's been on there for a bit, it may require some wiggling. Be gentle and don't bang the sensor anywhere, the MAF sensor on any car is rather quite delicate and can cause all sorts of issues if damaged.

2. Look into the tube on the MAF sensor. You'll notice one-half of the tube has two small wires parallel to each wires. There's your MAF sensor! Congrats, you found it!

3. Now take your MAF cleaner and gently spray the wires. I like to make sure that stream isn't too abrupt and give it a half-effort spray - coating the two wires completely.

4. MAF cleaning sprays dry very quicly. So depending on how much you sprayed, make sure to let the sensor dry completely.

5. Reinstall using the steps reversed. When you're putting the MAF sensor back in, make sure that the connector side is on the right as it was before you took it off.

6. Start the car and enjoy your smoother idle!