Cleaning the MAF sensor elements.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 603
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From: Atlanta
Cleaning the MAF sensor elements.
On a 95.
Is this even possible? Or are the tiny elements too fragile?
I was planning on buying one of the larger 'ported' MAF housings and was thinking of cleaning the sensor elements at the same time.
What do you think of just spraying them down with something like brake cleaner and alowing plenty of drying time before reassembly?
Thanks for any help guys.
Conrad.
Is this even possible? Or are the tiny elements too fragile?
I was planning on buying one of the larger 'ported' MAF housings and was thinking of cleaning the sensor elements at the same time.
What do you think of just spraying them down with something like brake cleaner and alowing plenty of drying time before reassembly?
Thanks for any help guys.
Conrad.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (BlackBeast2)
Don't know how it'd work on the GM MAF, but on a Ford MAF it does work. Had a 93 exploder, was running rough cleaned the MAF wire smoothed right out. IF youi're going to have to replace it anyway, I would give it a try. Might've gotten some oil on it, IF you use a K&N air filter and have cleaned it recently, and reoiled it too heavily it is possible to contaminate the MAF sensor. I used brake parts cleaner, worked for me.
:chevy
:chevy
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 603
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From: Atlanta
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (SeanSullivan)
Thanks Sean.
I too am a recovering Ford guy with a few Mustangs in my past (still own a 5.0). I know all about the Ford meters, but the elements are a little more 'out-there' on these C4's. I was aware of the K&N oil problems and am indeed running a similar filter. I know that Pro-M often cleans MAF's that are sent to them for recalibration that have oil buit up on them. When installing my TB air-foil recently, I noticed a lot of black 'build-up' on the interior walls of my intake ducts. So I'm sure the sensors have a coat of of yuck on them as well.
Thanks for your help and input. I may try the brake cleaner. Its so fast drying and non-greasy that I think it would work.
Any body else have input?
:cheers:
I too am a recovering Ford guy with a few Mustangs in my past (still own a 5.0). I know all about the Ford meters, but the elements are a little more 'out-there' on these C4's. I was aware of the K&N oil problems and am indeed running a similar filter. I know that Pro-M often cleans MAF's that are sent to them for recalibration that have oil buit up on them. When installing my TB air-foil recently, I noticed a lot of black 'build-up' on the interior walls of my intake ducts. So I'm sure the sensors have a coat of of yuck on them as well.
Thanks for your help and input. I may try the brake cleaner. Its so fast drying and non-greasy that I think it would work.
Any body else have input?
:cheers:
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (BlackBeast2)
That is what the burnoff relay should do, is keep it clean. It heats up at the end of each shutdown to remove any contaminants. You may want to pull the hose off and watch it to see if that is working properly. At 300+ dollars I wouldn't be spraying anything onto anything.
Just my advice :cheers:
Just my advice :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (ski_dwn_it)
Though it may be OK to spray on a cleaner if you allow it to completely evaporate I wouldn't do it.
As mentioned the burn-off relay takes care of cleaning those wires (at least on the L98 MAF); if they are dirty service the burn-off circuit.
As mentioned the burn-off relay takes care of cleaning those wires (at least on the L98 MAF); if they are dirty service the burn-off circuit.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (Vette92)
I could be wrong, but I do not think there is a burnoff relay on the LT1 MAF's.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Fraser MI
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (1MoorTym)
i sprayed mine down with brake cleaner with it out of the car and upside down. No problems, although it didn't really help much of anything either...
:cheers:
:cheers:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 1
From: Union KY
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (BlackBeast2)
BlackBeast:
Go ahead. Hose that baby down with brake cleaner. I've done mine and it works fine. Just don't touch it with anything - especialy your oily fingers.
Cire96
Go ahead. Hose that baby down with brake cleaner. I've done mine and it works fine. Just don't touch it with anything - especialy your oily fingers.
Cire96
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 28
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From: Cair Paravel Rhindon
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (Southern Comfort)
Rather than brake cleaner, there is an even better item - electric circuit-board cleaner. This stuff is so volatile that it evaporates like lightning, so fast that I once used it to clean some poly safety glasses and they cracked from the sudden evaporation-chilling.
The MAF wires are only 0.003" in diameter, you do NOT want to take a chance of damaging/breaking them.
[Modified by The Paladin, 1:13 PM 6/7/2003]
The MAF wires are only 0.003" in diameter, you do NOT want to take a chance of damaging/breaking them.
[Modified by The Paladin, 1:13 PM 6/7/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (Southern Comfort)
I noticed in the catalogs there were no burn off relays listed for 84-85 ?????
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 2
From: Douglasville GA
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (Ramanstud)
85's have a MAF burnoff module located near the ECM under the dash - no relays....and it is exxxxxpensive.
Tom Melton
82 CE
86 Z51 Coupe
95 M3
Tom Melton
82 CE
86 Z51 Coupe
95 M3
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 901
Likes: 15
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (The Paladin)
Rather than brake cleaner, there is an even better item - electric circuit-board cleaner. This stuff is so volatile that it evaporates like lightning, so fast that I once used it to clean some poly safety glasses and they cracked from the sudden evaporation-chilling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Cleaning the MAF sensor elements. (The Paladin)
Ummm... any chance that rapid action evap could cause a micro crack on one of the MAF wire's little diodes?
Myself, I used a q-tip dipped in mineral spirits to gently swab each wire and diode, then dried w/ q-tip. They're fragile, but a steady hand, light touch, and soft q-tip will not damage them.
Myself, I used a q-tip dipped in mineral spirits to gently swab each wire and diode, then dried w/ q-tip. They're fragile, but a steady hand, light touch, and soft q-tip will not damage them.
Rather than brake cleaner, there is an even better item - electric circuit-board cleaner. This stuff is so volatile that it evaporates like lightning, so fast that I once used it to clean some poly safety glasses and they cracked from the sudden evaporation-chilling.
The MAF wires are only 0.003" in diameter, you do NOT want to take a chance of damaging/breaking them.
[Modified by The Paladin, 1:13 PM 6/7/2003]
The MAF wires are only 0.003" in diameter, you do NOT want to take a chance of damaging/breaking them.
[Modified by The Paladin, 1:13 PM 6/7/2003]
