Cleaning the MAF sensor?

[krooozn]

I have been doing a little reading and came across something on the internet about cleaning the MAF sensor. It said that this sensor should be cleaned everytime the airfilter is changed. My question is this....have any of you ever cleaned your MAF sensor and if so did it make a difference in the way your truck ran? Does it help with the mpg? Is it a difficult task to do? I am trying to do everything that I can to help my truck last and to improve the driveability.....I love this vehicle and want it to hold up and I am a firm believer in preventative maintenance....

Thanx....Anita

 

[JohnnyO]

It is not difficult to clean. You will need the proper star pattern socket to get it out. I just sprayed mine inside and out with CRC MAF Cleaner that I got at AutoZone. I run a K&N filter so I clean the MAF once a year or so to get the oil off.

 

[krooozn]

Thank-you for the response....I was able to get the MAF pulled last weekend and I used some of the MAF Sensor cleaner that I picked up at Advance Auto. It really has helped I do believe to improve my mpg a little. The cleaning of this sensor, along with the flowmaster installation and the computer reset I am currently getting between 19.4-20.2 mpg and that's a combination of highway driving and stop/go rush hour traffic....so all-in-all I am pleased with the improvements that I have made to help my truck perform better. Next on my list will be to change out the spark plugs....the current plugs have 62,000 miles on them so I feel that it is probably time to swap them out for a fresh plug...maybe a little higher quality...anyone got any suggestions on what plug to use?

Thanx again...Anita

 

[swshawaii]

BIG difference between the V6 and V8. If you have the 4.0L V6 use the OEM Autolite
or Motorcraft for the best results. If it's the 4.6L 3V V8, it's probably best if you leave
the job to a specialist. Repairing these broken plugs can be prohibitively expensive. GL

www.aa1car.com/library/ford_tsb_08-7-6.pdf

 

[JohnnyO]

Motorcraft or Autolite double platinums are fine. I have NGK Iridiums in my V6 just because that's all the parts store had at the time to fit my truck, been in for two years and they are fine. DO NOT use plugs with multiple electrodes such as the Bosch +2 or +4. They do not get along well with the late-model Ford ignition system. It is a somewhat long and technical explanation, but just take my word for it.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Was reading this thread yesterday and I just changed my air filter last week. I thought I would try cleaning the MAF sensor for something to do. Stopped by Ukrainian Wheel on my way home from work and picked up a can of cleaner. It didn't look too bad, a little bit of a black film on what I'm guessing is the heat plate. I gave it good cleaning out. According to the dash I ended up with around 1.5 less L per 100k after we went for a drive last night. I will have to check when I fill up but I think this will become an annual part of the tune up.

 

[krooozn]

Since I cleaned mine, I have gone thru 3 tanks and am very pleased with the results I have gotten.....on all 3 tanks I have averaged 19.4 to 19.9 mpg and this is a combination of highway, city and stop and go driving. I average 250 miles a week to and from work which is about 50% highway and 50% stop and go....before I cleaned the MAF the best I had gotten on a tank under the same conditions was 17.8 to 18.2 mpg....so I am seeing an improvement in my mpg per tank since the clean.....it's a quick enough and easy enough maintenance that I will try to do it at least once a year, or when I notice the mileage dropping....

Hope you see a difference as well....

Thanx...Anita

 

[Tech By Trade]

After cleaning the MAF sensor, it got me wondering, what does the throttle body look like. I ended up pulling it off and giving it a cleaning. It was black and covered in carbon. What a mess. I cleaned her up, and when stoped at a light its tough to tell if the truck is even running. Not sure about mileage, but im sure it will go up. Worth a check.

 

[krooozn]

After cleaning the MAF sensor, it got me wondering, what does the throttle body look like. I ended up pulling it off and giving it a cleaning. It was black and covered in carbon. What a mess. I cleaned her up, and when stoped at a light its tough to tell if the truck is even running. Not sure about mileage, but im sure it will go up. Worth a check.

What is involved in removing and cleaning the throttle body? Is it a difficult thing to do? Will I run the risk of screwing up anything? (teeheehee) What did you use to clean it with once you got it removed?

I have been averaging 20.4 mpg these last two tanks that I ran....with the same 50% highway and 50% city/stop and go driving...so I am pleased that just the cleaning of the MAF seems to have helped....got me thinking now.....if I were to clean the throttle body.....would that help even more?

Thoughts anyone?

Thanx...Anita

 

[Tech By Trade]

Not sure the correct procedure, but I started by pulling the air box off the air filter, then i disconnected the MAF sensor wire, then I loosened the clamp holding the air box to the throttle body. I couldn't disconnect the hose coming off right after the MAF sensor (PCV?) but it would move enough to get at the Throttle body bolts. I disconnected both connectors sets of wires from the throttle body (TPS sensor and FBW control im guessing) and then took out the 4 bolts holding on the throttle body.

I didn't have any throttle body cleaner but I did have the MAF sensor cleaner but it sucked, so I used a can of carb cleaner (probably not the best but it was on hand). I made sure not to get the carb cleaner on any plastic parts and scrubbed away with a old toothbrush.

I did the reverse to put it back together, making sure of the direction of the gasket, and also making sure not to use too much force when tightening the bolts back up. I'm guessing the torque isn't too high, as they aren't that big.