Cleaning the MAF
#1
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Does anyone using this forum clean their Mass Airflow Sensor? If so, which part of the MAF needs to be cleaned? The wires? There are wires on the outside of the MAF and there appear to be wires inside as well (which I circled in yellow) as you can see from the picture below. Do they both need to be cleaned? Also there appears to be a window or film on my MAF that was somewhat dirty (under where the inner of the two arrows is in the last picture), does that need to be cleaned? What do you guys use to clean the MAF? The posters in thread in the 996 Turbo forum used either intake cleaner, carb cleaner or electronics cleaner but no one there was specific as to which part of the MAF to clean.
By the way, if anyone wants to clean their MAF and has never done so before, I'd recommend an offset ratcheting screwdriver so that you don't have to remove the air filter housing, in the event that you would like to clean the MAF but do not need to replace the air filter. Also I bought a set of the torx security bits on ebay for $3.00 which work great with the offset ratcheting screwdriver.
Incidently, my MAF wasn't that dirty. The pictures were all taken before I cleaned it. I have about 19k miles on the car and I use a K&N filter, do they usually get dirtier by then?
By the way, if anyone wants to clean their MAF and has never done so before, I'd recommend an offset ratcheting screwdriver so that you don't have to remove the air filter housing, in the event that you would like to clean the MAF but do not need to replace the air filter. Also I bought a set of the torx security bits on ebay for $3.00 which work great with the offset ratcheting screwdriver.
Incidently, my MAF wasn't that dirty. The pictures were all taken before I cleaned it. I have about 19k miles on the car and I use a K&N filter, do they usually get dirtier by then?
Last edited by The_Phantom; 03-28-2006 at 11:31 AM.
#2
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By the way, this is the link to the thread from the 996 Turbo Forum:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turbo-forum/239069-cleaned-my-maf.html#post2918152
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turbo-forum/239069-cleaned-my-maf.html#post2918152
#3
Three Wheelin'
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Great photos. As per a question I had in a post earlier, I am going to clean the sensor this weekend. To answer your question, couldn't hurt to clean both wires, right?
By the way, it looks like you just unscrewed the whole MAF sensor housing rather than muck around with trying to unclip it. Is that correct? I recall that Dell uses that technique as well.
By the way, it looks like you just unscrewed the whole MAF sensor housing rather than muck around with trying to unclip it. Is that correct? I recall that Dell uses that technique as well.
#4
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Originally Posted by nycebo
....By the way, it looks like you just unscrewed the whole MAF sensor housing rather than muck around with trying to unclip it. Is that correct? I recall that Dell uses that technique as well.
#5
Rennlist Lifetime Member
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This is the area you want to clean. Use CRC electronic cleaner and spray in the hole. The sensor is inside there and when you spray it will spray across the sensor and clean it. DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR!
#6
Race Car
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Yes, clean all areas of the MAF, plastic (below O ring) and metal. The MAF has various exposed resisters that can get gummed up. I make cleaning the MAF as part of every oil change. It cannot be cleaned too often. When you spray it, saturate it in order to wash any contaminants out.. This cleaning is not only necessary if you have an aftermarket filter, but often is required with the stock filter setup. The moisture in the air contains alot of contaminants, and some minerals will attached themselves to the MAF over time.
#7
Chandler!
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OK, I've owned 996's since my 2001. I've never cleaned the MAF, is this something the dealer does automatically when you get the oil changed?
What happens when you don't clean it?
What happens if you fill the entire area with Play-Doh?
What happens when you don't clean it?
What happens if you fill the entire area with Play-Doh?
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#8
Race Car
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Riad:
Chances are that if you never clean the MAF, you will have no negattive symptoms. And, no, the dealer will not clean at an oil change. As far as Play-doh....you got me there.
Chances are that if you never clean the MAF, you will have no negattive symptoms. And, no, the dealer will not clean at an oil change. As far as Play-doh....you got me there.
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#10
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Originally Posted by riad
OK, I've owned 996's since my 2001. I've never cleaned the MAF, is this something the dealer does automatically when you get the oil changed?
What happens when you don't clean it?
What happens if you fill the entire area with Play-Doh?
What happens when you don't clean it?
What happens if you fill the entire area with Play-Doh?
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#13
Three Wheelin'
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We just talked about this a couple days ago on a different thread. Here's the link:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/262690-rpm-needle-jumping-around.html
ToolPants offered a link lower down to the exact same concern that I raised and that you have. Let me know how it turns out for you.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/262690-rpm-needle-jumping-around.html
ToolPants offered a link lower down to the exact same concern that I raised and that you have. Let me know how it turns out for you.
#14
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Dumb Question, but what kind of tools are they (Fishman's 1st pic)? Is it some kind or ratchet screwdriver?
Sorry, but long term Boxster owner and short time 996 owner, not used to needing tools or seeing engine.
Sorry, but long term Boxster owner and short time 996 owner, not used to needing tools or seeing engine.
#15
Chandler!
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Originally Posted by galeriehughie
Dumb Question, but what kind of tools are they (Fishman's 1st pic)? Is it some kind or ratchet screwdriver?
Sorry, but long term Boxster owner and short time 996 owner, not used to needing tools or seeing engine.
Sorry, but long term Boxster owner and short time 996 owner, not used to needing tools or seeing engine.