Clean your MSF sensor
1 of 1Clean the MAF sensor
Spray 10 to 15 spurts of the cleaner
onto the wire or plate.
A Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor monitors
the temperature and weight of air entering
your engine. Your onboard computer
needs that information to calculate the
right amount of fuel for all engine operating
conditions.
The sensor works by heating a delicate
platinum wire or plate and measuring the
current required to keep it at a constant
temperature while air blows past it. Over
time, dust and oil particles stick to the hot
wire/plate and bake on. Eventually, those
baked-on particles insulate the wire/plate
from the airstream. This causes starting,
idling and acceleration problems, as well
as poor gas mileage.
Carmakers recommend that you
replace the MAF sensor ($300) at that
point. But if you clean your car's MAF
sensor regularly, you can avoid that $300
repair and keep your engine running at
top efficiency. The cleaner only costs about $7!
We recommend that you clean the MAF
sensor every time you change your air filter.
Here's how:
Before going to the store, pull off
the air duct between the air filter box
and the throttle body to see how the
MAF sensor is anchored. If you see
Torx screws, buy a Torx tool and a can
of CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner.
Don't use any other cleaners; they can
ruin the MAF. Everything you need is
available at CarQuest, Advance and
O'Reilly auto parts stores.
With cleaner and tools in hand,
locate the MAF sensor in the air duct
between the air filter box and the
throttle body. Before you remove the
sensor, use a digital camera to record
the sensor setup and connections for
reference later. Carefully remove the
sensor from the air duct and disconnect
the electrical connector.
Spray 10 to 15 spurts of the cleaner
onto the wire or plate. Don't scrub
the parts; you may break the wire or
damage the plate. Allow the MAF sensor
to dry completely before reinstalling
it in the air duct.
