Cleaning the MAF - help

[PeteT]

I am in the process of trying to improve my gas mileage. I too have dropped below 300 miles per tank (around 15mpg).

I bought a can of CRC electonic cleaner for the MAF sensor, and have read about several people who have not needed to remove the whole thing to clean it - just merely shot it in from the air filter side.

Can someone describe exactly what it is that I am looking for? What does it look like and what area should I concentrate on?

 

[PeteT]

Thanks for the quick response! Mine is a 95 as well. Did you notice any improvement after cleaning these filaments? When you say to clean the throttle body as well, do you mean simply to spray it or is there another process?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Yo Pete,
How's it going? Yes you can spray the whole inside. DON'T TOUCH THE ELEMENT!!!! and make sure it is completely dry before you put it back together. don't want to short it out. Did it help my gas mileage? not really, but it did take care of my check engine light going on. How many miles you got on your 95? I found that the platinmum plugs on my 95, at about 65K were shot and that replacing them and the plug wires DIDmake my mileage go up. Hope this helps. Dead Link Removed Hey when are we gonna go wheelin'?

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC

 

[kps36]

What year is it. This makes a diff. I posted using CRC Elec. Cleaner after using it on my 95. That was the 1st yr of the tube type air box and cone filter. If this fits your need, go thru the process of removing your air filter. Look into the air box toward the engine, The MAF should be right there about 2.5 inches from the opening. The area you need to concentrate on is a small opening in the rather large aluminum MAf. The hole is about 1/2 inch in dia. it will have 2 filament wires running across it. You need to spray those. Also, don't forget to clean the throttle body while you are there. Good Luck.

 

[PeteT]

Whattup Ray? Yeah I have just about 65K on it now. Which plugs and wires did you change to? I seem to remember that you posted it was a pain in the butt to change the wires out?

I really want to get out to Hollister Hills, but my schedule for the next couple of weekends is pretty full.

 

[kps36]

Yes, just spray some cleaner on the TBody to prevent sticking. I like the CRC cause it cleans, leaves no residue, and drys very quickly. I changed out my plugs and wires about 5k ago (at 55k) and I will 2nd to Ray. they are a pain. Danny gave me some advice, hindsight I should have followed, if you have an old pair of like batting gloves, or any close fitting gloves, cut the fingers out and use 'em. It took about2 wks for the cuts on my fingers and knuckles to heal. AND if you plan on changing JUST plugs, buy a set of wires anyway. I literally destroyed 2 wires just getting them off the plug. It gives a whole new meaning to working in tight places. Ciao!

 

[PeteT]

I remember several threads talking about plugs and wires, but what did you guys switch to?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Pete,
I went to the Jacobs plug wires and still use the motorcraft plugs. I agree with Kps36, GET SOME GLOVES!!!. Your hands will thank you for it. Dead Link Removed I broke a couple of the original plug wires getting them off the plugs too, so get the wires before you change the plugs.

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC

 

[kps36]

Oh, forgot one thing. My mileage WAS about 17mpg. I changed the plugs, wires, took a dremel to my airbox, dropped in a K&N, cleaned the MAF and TBody, flushed and filled with Castrol Syntec, reset the computer (disconnect the battery) all in one long, bloody day (see prev post) added Techron and filled up, ran that tank thru, now consistenty getting 24mpg city, 29hiway.