Instead of replacing the pricey mass air flow sensor, you can clean it. Instead of spending $300 to repair your MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor, clean it when it becomes dirty. With a few useful tools and a spray, it goes quickly and easily.
In This Article...
How should a mass airflow sensor be cleaned?
The first rule is to NEITHER clean the MAF sensor while the engine is running nor even with the key in the run position. The sensor may sustain severe damage as a result. Unplug the sensor when the key is off.
Put a towel behind the MAF sensor to capture discharge. Spray the inside of the housing with ten to fifteen bursts after inserting the plastic straw into the can’s nozzle. The plate and any hot wires need to be covered. Make sure that nothing, not even the straw, touches the wires. The wires are quite fine.
Before starting the engine, reinstall the sensor in the vehicle and wait a short while for the chemicals to evaporate.
Every time you replace or clean the air filter, it is a good idea to clean the MAF sensor as well. 410 horsepower can be restored to the wheels with a clean MAF sensor, which is a considerable amount for simply cleaning a sensor.
On Karman-Vortex style air flow sensors, which are generally found in Toyota Supra turbos, Mitsubishi (including the DSM rebadged Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser), and the majority of Lexus engines, DO NOT USE ANY MAF sensor cleansers. These unique Karman-Vortex sensors have extremely delicate parts that cannot be cleaned since doing so could seriously harm the MAF sensor. A Karman-Vortex style air flow sensor cannot be cleaned effectively by a do-it-yourselfer. Just let it be when in doubt.
Be sure to get in touch with your neighborhood NAPA Auto Parts Store or NAPA AutoCare Center if you have any reservations about handling this chore yourself.
If you need routine maintenance and repairs, turn to one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities or browse all the chemical and lubricant items on NAPA Online. Speak to a trained specialist at your nearby NAPA AUTO PARTS shop for further details on how to clean your MAF sensor.
How can I tell if my MAF sensor is contaminated?
Seven Symptoms That Your Mass Airflow Sensor Is Bad Or Dirty
- Red Exhaust. The black exhaust from too much fuel is one indication that your car’s MAF is failing.
- Engine check. A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor is frequently the blame for an illuminated check engine light.
- Trying Starts.
- Hesitation.
- Low gas prices.
- Rusty Idle.
- difficulty accelerating
What signs point to a mass air flow sensor malfunction?
Signs of a Malfunctioning Mass Air Flow Sensor
- It’s quite difficult to turn the engine on or off.
- Not long after starting, the engine stalls.
- While running at idle or under load, the engine hesitates or lags.
- acceleration with jerks and hesitation.
- The engine bogs down.
- Lean or very rich idling
Can you clean a mass air flow sensor using rubbing alcohol?
The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor in your car can be dirty if it isn’t running as smoothly as it once did. Numerous problems, including reduced fuel efficiency, rough idling, and even engine stalling, may result from this.
Fortunately, cleaning the MAF sensor is a rather straightforward procedure that can be carried out with a few basic tools that you probably already have at home.
By following a few simple procedures, you can clean your MAF sensor: Use pressurized air to blow any dirt or debris off the sensor. By placing alcohol on an ear stick, gently wipe the sensor while using isopropyl alcohol. To remove any dirt or grime, just moisten it with the solution and wipe.
In just a few simple steps, we’ll demonstrate how to clean the MAF sensor with alcohol in this blog post.
What ought to occur if I unplug the MAF sensor?
The mass airflow sensor is unplugged, yet the car still operates. If you plug it in while the car is driving, it will shut off. The automobile will start if the mass air flow sensor is unplugged. The automobile will crash if you attempt to plug it in while it is moving.
How can the check engine light be reset after a MAF sensor replacement?
After replacing the Mass Air Flow Sensor, see if the engine light is still on. By disconnecting the battery for ten minutes, the complete system can be reset. It won’t harm anything if you leave the battery disconnected for more than 10 minutes.
Can throttle body cleaner be used to clean a MAF sensor?
Yes, a MAF cleaner can be applied to a throttle body, but a MAF cleaner cannot be applied to a throttle body. The MAFs are really picky. If the MAF sensor is a hot-wire model and the improper cleaning leaves a residue, a little amount of wire may burn.
On the throttle body, though, it cleans it really well. Simply so, it evaporates more quickly on the MAF sensor. It cleans better and costs much more money. Therefore, using a MAF sensor cleaning on a throttle body would be a waste of money. due to the throttle body cleaner’s lower price. However, it is acceptable to use the leftovers to clean the throttle if you have some. You can call a qualified technician, like one from YourMechanic, to clean your vehicle’s throttle body for you if you need assistance with this procedure.
The check engine light may be caused by a MAF sensor.
A mass air flow (MAF) sensor is frequently used in automobiles to gauge the volume of air entering the engine. The check engine light may illuminate, the vehicle may run poorly, or the engine may misfire when the device malfunctions.