Go ahead and clean your MAF

[jnsnwt]

The daughter drives an 2002 4.0L with 223K miles on it. She was complaining that it starts, sputters then dies on cold mornings. Says she has to start it 5-6 times before it will run enough to get it out onto the street . When she once gets it up to speed the problem is gone till the next morning.

It was not setting any codes and did not have a CEL turned on.

Not having a clue where to beging looking and for lack of any other ideas I cleaned the MAF sensor between the intake and the air filter. I used MAF cleaner not B12 or other sprays.

Problem has been gone for over a week so I will claim the MAF sensor was dirty even though I could not see anything on it. On the spray can it says to clean the sensor each time you change the air filter. That seems a bit much but if you cannot remember the last time yours was cleaned it might save you some grief if you proactively cleaned it this weekend.

 

[askingxforxit]

The problem could have very well been the MAF. I usually change my air filter once a year. Another thing you might also want to clean is the Idle Air Control Valve (IAC). I'm not familiar with the set-up on the 2002 but on my 2001 it's located on the top of the intake under the plastic that covers the upper intake. IF you decide to get a new one rather than clean it, it should be about $50-$60 at your local auto parts store.

 

[stuartr]

Where can I get that spray cleaner? Mine has 90000 and never been cleaned.

STU

 

[Castle]

Electrical contact cleaner works fine. Used to be there was no specific "MAF" cleaner. I bought a can of electrical contact cleaner and I've had it probably ten years now, I give the MAF a quick spray every time I change the oil, it takes no time at all.

You can find either cleaner at pretty much any auto parts store.

 

[stuartr]

Do you just open the air box and spray it or take it out of the hose and spray it? I was wondering if it would hurt for the spray to get sucked up in the engine.

STU

 

[thepotroast]

I also use electrical contact cleaner on my MAF, and it's worked very well.

As far as the location of the IAC on the 02 (and 03), it is just like the 01...it's under the little plastic cover next to the intake. 2 little star-tip screws to pop the cover off, and then just a few bolts to undo the IAC. Disconnect the IAC sensor connector, and pull the assembly off. Use the same cleaner to get in there and loosen up the carbon buildup. Get a hard plastic soft tipped something (anything...) and start scraping away the years of carbon buildup. There is a little rubber boot in there with a servo/mechanical arm that pops it open and closed. If it's a clogged or dirty IAC, this will give the same effect that the OP describes.

The IAC for the 02-03 is about $40 new online(rockauto.com), and over $100 in the big box auto parts stores.

 

[thepotroast]

Do you just open the air box and spray it or take it out of the hose and spray it? I was wondering if it would hurt for the spray to get sucked up in the engine.

STU

I undo mine out of the hose assembly, and clean it up that way. Don't know if I would be spraying contact cleaner into the air intake...have no idea what the repercussions could be!

 

[stuartr]

Thanks! That is what I was thinking. Not hard to take out anyway.

STU