How to Clean a Mass Air Flow Sensor
Your engine needs the proper air/fuel ratio to run correctly. The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor plays a critical role within the fuel management system to ensure the ratio is correct. The MAF sensor monitors the temperature and amount of air entering your engine.
This information is sent to the car’s computer which controls the fuel injection and ignition systems. If the MAF sensor becomes dirty inside and/or begins to fail, you’ll notice issues like longer cranking time when starting the engine, hesitation or jerking when you accelerate, rough idling or stalling and sometimes black soot/smoke exiting the tailpipe. You also may notice a decrease in fuel efficiency.
Cleaning the MAF as part of regular routine maintenance can help reduce and/or prevent these problems. If the MAF sensor is at fault, cleaning it can help, and many times, even solve the problem. This can be done at home. You just need to remove the component, clean it, and reattach it to your engine air intake system. A few basic supplies will be needed (some hand tools and special cleaner), all of which you can find at your local AutoZone.
Check if your car has a Karman-Vortex air flow sensor. These are found in some Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Lexus vehicles and can’t be cleaned with MAF Sensor Cleaner.
Parts you might need
How to Clean a Mass Air Flow Sensor
1. Unplug the Sensor
Turn the engine off, remove the keys from the ignition, and let the engine cool. Locate the mass air flow sensor by consulting your owner’s manual. Unplug the part from the vehicle’s electrical system.
2. Remove the Sensor
With the sensor unplugged, loosen the clamps and any brackets holding it in place. Slide the sensor assembly away from the tubing and carefully remove from the air intake boot(s).
3. Clean the Sensor
Place the sensor on a towel for cleaning. Apply the cleaner — 10-15 blasts around the inside of the sensor will do. Also clean the sides of the part, its housing, its connectors, and its terminals. If you have a hot wire mass air flow sensor, make sure the cleaner doesn’t get onto the hot wires or plate.
4. Reattach the Sensor
Allow the sensor to dry. This should only take a few seconds. Once the part is ready, you can re-install it back into place, reattach and tighten the clamps/brackets. Once you’ve re-installed the sensor, wait a few minutes before starting the vehicle to ensure the cleaning chemicals have evaporated.
5. How Often Should You Clean the Air Flow Sensor
It’s safe to clean the sensor every time you change the air filter. The job is simple enough to be a part of your routine maintenance. If your check engine light comes on and there’s a trouble-code related to the MAF, that would definitely be a good time to clean the sensor. This simple maintenance step can easily be performed in your garage whenever you have a few minutes to spare. In addition to fixing problems you’ve had with your engine running or idling roughly, cleaning the mass air flow sensor can help improve your gas mileage and maintain drivability performance.
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