I did a search and couldn't come up with anything about testing the MAF rather than simply replacing the MAF - other than the fact that it can be done.

I recently purchased the Durametric tool and am curious what values I can look at that are applicable to the MAF and its proper function.

1. What should they be?
2. What is the threshold of tolerance for a properly functioning MAF?

Thanks for the help!

Jeff

 

On a stock engine and stock air fliter, your should see between .60 and.80 lbs/minute at a low idle (A/C off). Idle should be about 700 rpm. A higher idle will produce a higher reading. Much higher than those values is an indication that your MAF needs cleaning. Remeber, too, that a dirty MAF will also cause your intake air temperture reading to be incorrect. Each car is slightly different and you should document normal readings of all sensors for comparison in the future, including engine vacuum.

A dirty MAF will cause your engine to run rich at WOT.

 

Thank you VERY much. This is exactly the type of information I am looking for.

 

what causes a MAF to need to be replaced vs just cleaned?

 

In most cases, cleaning is all that is needed. As the heated film gets crud on it, it needs more voltage to maintain the spec'd temperature which the DME translates as more air passing by it. They can be broken 2 ways. Physical breakage and a current higher than maximum for a sustained period of time. This often results from improper tuning when installing a freer flowing air filter.

 

Another question, when you clean it with the MAF cleaner, should you use q tips to get the crud off. I was thinking about it and it doesnt seem like a spray would get much off of it.

 

Just use carb cleaner or electronic spray cleaner or starter fluid and saturate the unit. This will remove all the grud and the cleaner will completely evaporate. No need to touch anything with a q-tip.