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Cleaning the MAF

pjmmoore

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pjmmoore Enthusiast

pjmmoore

Posted
Posted

Can anyone give me instructions to locate the MAF and give it a cleaning? I've got an '02 Silverado with the 4.8.

Draenor Senior Enthusiast

Draenor

Posted
Posted

It should be right behind the air box, on the intake tube going to the throttle body. As for cleaning it I would use carb/TB cleaner. but I never tried it. The MAF has small wires that sense the air, they are fragile. Why do you need to clean it, the air filter should be keeping it clean? Just Curious.

pjmmoore Enthusiast

pjmmoore

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'm noticing a slight decline in power over the years and a while back I installed a k&n air filter. i did a search about the MAF on this forum and some folks experienced dirty MAFs from over oiling their k&n filter. I just wanted to check mine to see if it is in fact dirty.

Bish Senior Enthusiast

Bish

Posted
Posted

I would suggest another solvent besides carb cleaner. Electrical contact cleaner or any other residue free solvent. Carb cleaner can leave a residue on the wires.

svensk Senior Enthusiast

svensk

Posted
Posted

Yeah, He's right I would use something made for electronics. There is a MAF cleaner out there its called CRC MAF cleaner.

Draenor Senior Enthusiast

Draenor

Posted
Posted
I would suggest another solvent besides carb cleaner.  Electrical contact cleaner or any other residue free solvent.  Carb cleaner can leave a residue on the wires.

 

 

 

 

That is true. I have never attempted to clean the MAF, it was the first thing to come to mind. Maybe brake cleaner?

 

 

Yeah, He's right I would use something made for electronics. There is a MAF cleaner out there its called CRC MAF cleaner.

 

 

 

 

I've never looked, but is this available at the auto stores?

Mark_in_Tulsa Senior Enthusiast

Mark_in_Tulsa

Posted
Posted
I would suggest another solvent besides carb cleaner.  Electrical contact cleaner or any other residue free solvent.  Carb cleaner can leave a residue on the wires.

 

 

 

 

That is true. I have never attempted to clean the MAF, it was the first thing to come to mind. Maybe brake cleaner?

 

 

Yeah, He's right I would use something made for electronics. There is a MAF cleaner out there its called CRC MAF cleaner.

 

 

 

 

I've never looked, but is this available at the auto stores?

 

 

 

 

 

Yes the auto stores sell a MAF cleaner. It worked for me.

firefighteremt3100 Enthusiast

firefighteremt3100

Posted
Posted
I would suggest another solvent besides carb cleaner.  Electrical contact cleaner or any other residue free solvent.  Carb cleaner can leave a residue on the wires.

 

 

 

 

That is true. I have never attempted to clean the MAF, it was the first thing to come to mind. Maybe brake cleaner?

 

 

Yeah, He's right I would use something made for electronics. There is a MAF cleaner out there its called CRC MAF cleaner.

 

 

 

 

I've never looked, but is this available at the auto stores?

 

 

 

 

 

Actually sounds like the perfect time to write up a "how to" for the do it yourself section. Any takers?

 

Yes the auto stores sell a MAF cleaner. It worked for me.

 

 

 

 

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

The MAF cleaner from CRC is new and is part # 05110. Please do not use carb cleaner, electrical cleaner, brake cleaner or intake cleaner. This stuff can cause some real problems. The CRC product is safe and can help you reclaim some lost HP and TQ, especially if you are running an oiled cotton gauze filter.

 

We just added the product at CARQUEST and have already seen a demand for it.

jaslo Enthusiast

jaslo

Posted
Posted

So I already used carb cleaner on my MAF what kind of problems could it cause? And where can the electrical contact cleaner, because I have yet to find a MAF cleaner.

Bish Senior Enthusiast

Bish

Posted
Posted
So I already used carb cleaner on my MAF what kind of problems could it cause? And where can the electrical contact cleaner, because I have yet to find a MAF cleaner.

 

 

 

 

Probably will just leave a residue giving false readings. May notice it, may not. Cleaning with proper solvent should fix.

  • 2 weeks later...
jaslo Enthusiast

jaslo

Posted
Posted

I got the CRC MAF cleaner and cleaned the MAF. I disconnected the battery while I did this. Also took the K&N intake off and put the stock one back on. When I checked my gas mileage for the first 150 miles I got 20.4 mpg. I dont know if that is the wait4me tune learning and will be the most efficient, but I was pleasantly surprised. I will check my gas mileage again and see how much it has went down. Has anyone else cleaned the MAF and notice a difference in the gas mileage?

Rookie Enthusiast

Rookie

Posted
Posted

just my .02 this is right off K&N's sight

 

7. Will a K&N filter cause my vehicle’s mass air sensor to fail?

 

At this time, K&N is unaware of any evidence that K&N air filter oil from a K&N air filter can damage or cause the malfunction of a MAF sensor, regardless of the make of the vehicle involved. K&N takes seriously any claim that one of its products is incompatible with its designated application or can damage or cause the malfunction of any automotive component. Such claims are thoroughly investigated and, when appropriate, testing is undertaken to determine their merit. In the case of MAF sensors, ongoing tests have shown that contamination from K&N air filter oil has not caused any failures or malfunctions of the MAF sensors in the test vehicles. K&N is aware that MAF sensors can become contaminated for a variety of reasons, unrelated to a K&N air filter (such as backfiring, blowby, leaking airbox or leaking intake duct) and that various methods have been used by some service departments and repair shops to clean a dirty or contaminated MAF sensor, such as spraying with an appropriate cleaner. K&N has not completed any tests as to the efficacy of such a process and, therefore, does not officially endorse or recommend any cleaning process. However, if given the choice of either replacing a MAF sensor or cleaning it, K&N recommends that the consumer ask his or her automotive dealer to attempt cleaning, before replacement. It should be noted that the presence of contamination does not mean the contamination was the cause of the MAF sensor failure. Sensors can fail for electrical or mechanical reasons, unrelated to any visible contamination.

Dana_15 Enthusiast

Dana_15

Posted
Posted

^^^I believed that lie once, until my Tacoma ran like total crap when I was on vacation from my K&N drop in filter (never re-oiled) on a truck with 13,000 miles. Took the MAF out, and I could visibley see a "film" on it, cleaned and re-installed and the truck ran like new, I'll never use K&N again. Now I'm not putting anyone down who does use them, but periodic cleaning of the MAF is suggested.

 

CRC also makes Electronic Contact cleaner, its basically the same stuff as the MAF cleaner.

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