3.4 MAF cleaning

[amec Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close amec]

I had an issue today when removing spark plug leads which lead to a requirement to replace the 3 ignition leads. So while i was at it I replaced spark plugs and cleaned the MAF sensor and the throttle body.

Explained what I had dne to a mate who is a mechanic who told me I should never clean or touch the MAF sensor.

After all I had done the engine certainly starts easier. Could have been the plugs, cleaning the MAF or the throttle body.

Any other mechanic or mechanically inclined individual care to comment?

Adam.

[rthy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rthy]

co-work has been cleaning out his maf twice a year, been told by his mech so he can save a few bucks. (holden astra v6 03)

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

Did he explain the reason why you should never clean the MAF sensor ? I have been cleaning them for years on different vehicles with no ill effect

[amec Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close amec]

Too sensitive he said.

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

I think the manner in which the MAF sensor is cleaned is relevent here.
If you used a brush, (say a fine paint brush) then I would agree the sensor is to sensitive but if you use a aerosol MAF Sensor Cleaner (CRC brand for example) and let it air dry, it will be fine to clean your MAF.

Your mechanic may be unaware of the ready availability of dedicated MAF cleaners, or perhaps he's looking for a part sale.

Lee

[amec Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close amec]

I sprayed it and let it dry.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

As long as nothing physically touches the hit wire you're fine. Aerosol cleaners are perfectly safe to use as long as you follow the cleaning instructions printed on the can.

[amec Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close amec]

Thanks for the advice. Today it started and ran better. Felt a little crisper accelerating. Now, just got to wait to see if i get better than the 950km i normally get from the 2 tanks of petrol.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Thanks for the advice. Today it started and ran better. Felt a little crisper accelerating. Now, just got to wait to see if i get better than the 950km i normally get from the 2 tanks of petrol.

it is all going to depend on whats happening around you as well as your driving style.
If you get caught behind someone that runs kangaroo juice, then your consumpsion rises too.

[amec Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close amec]

Kangaroo juice. Yum

[jj95prado Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jj95prado]

He may have well been looking for a parts sale, new sensors are $307 for a post '99 vehicle and this is ridiculous but for a pre '99 vehicle like mine, a new sensor is $1198.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

wow, I wonder what the technical difference is between them... and in your case, if you can run a newer style..

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

wow, I wonder what the technical difference is between them... and in your case, if you can run a newer style..

I the difference is the newer style are Hot wire MAFs whereas the old ones are mechanical VAF sensors. I read somewhere (aybe here on PP?) that the the two were electrically the same except the pin out of the connectors is different. Also the air box/intake duct is a slightly different shape so it might not physically bold on.

[jj95prado Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jj95prado]

There are two types of sensors (in terms of the way they work) like you have said Williade, the mechanical and electrical hot wire one. From what I have read, the "early" type (have never seen years with this term) is the mechanical type which uses almost a lever type set up that pushes further back the more air goes past it. The "newer" type, the electric hot wire type one is also installed in my car but in a separate assembly. In mine, after the airbox is a removable section which is the MAF sensor assembly which is a solid plastic housing containing the sensor itself, which cannot be removed, assume this is why its more expensive. The newer newer type is the post '99 type which again is hot wire but the sensor is its own unit which plugs in the top of the outflow pipe from the airbox.

Due to this different setup if I wanted to change to the newer type, I would need a new airbox and pipe section all the way to the throttle body. According to the repair manual the mechanical and hot wire types have different electrical connectors but I think the different electrical types are the same.

[Wazza1978 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza1978]

does anyone know if you change the maf or clean it does the computer need any resetting? I know of vehicles that the computer needs to be told it has a new maf as the computer caculates more resistance the more kms the vehicle has done