What to use to clean MAS and IAC

[Spas]

Well, my IAC and MAS are chillin' in my basement right now, drying off I used electric cleaner on both and went through an even two dozen Q-tips onthe IAC, lol. Question about that piece, gang:

The black knob on the side of the IAC, what does it do? If it's supposed to move the plunger, mine doesn't I hope it doesn't adjust anything, because, like a dummy, I turned it over a few hundred times trying to figure out why it didn't do anything

I also took a pal's advice and dumped a can of air intake cleaner for fuel injected's into my intake plenum (got the butterfly too). Took my truck a few cranks to start and then I had to lay on the gas, but once all of it burned out of the system, there was a noticable difference! Especially since it's never been cleaned before....

I'm putting all the parts back in tomorrow morning, as well as cleaning my K&N...I'll let you guys know if it makes a big diff or not

 

[Phat_Bastard]

Got my IAC cleaned up and I was able to clean it with only 18 q-tips. Also was important to re-clean my MAF after I had did my K&N filter a week ago. I guess the oil got on it from the filter.


Between the two sensors, I now have a little smoother takeoff and have run some low octane fuel which hasn't started pinging after 70 miles. :smoke:

Waiting for my superchip too from Apten. Hope those things really work.

 

[Spas]

WOW!!!!
Anybody who has a well used X and hasn't done this little bit o' cleaning, DO IT!!! It's like a big breath of fresh air for your engine

 

[Muskrat]

Spas, glad to hear it worked out for you. Did you ever get those last 2 plugs changed?

 

[IgotTwo]

The "security Torx" is called an "E Torx" (vs. a "T Torx")
The two sizes used on the MAS are 15 and 20

I spotted em in my parts place's "specially priced tool bin" (a euphemism for "made in some third world country") Not aircraft quality but for $5.. both "T"s and "E"s
Always dig at the bottom of those things

 

[Spas]

Spas, glad to hear it worked out for you. Did you ever get those last 2 plugs changed?

Not yet, Rat

I didn't use the torx screws, guys....if you just disconnect the whole metal MAS from the intake tube and the air box, you can get to the same part with much less hassle.....

 

[b]

Cleaned IAC with Berrymans Carb Cleaner and about 15 q-tips! Dried overnight and no more howling! Plus now it doesn't ping going up hills or with heavy load!!!
Thanks guys

 

[mjaybar]

410Fortune

Thanks for writing up the how to article. I took my ex to 5 places and got all kinds of diagnostics, fuel regulator replaced, 200 bucks, maf replaced, one o2 sensor replaced, was told my fuel pump was bad. Long story short and over 600 bucks later it was a dirty IAC. Thanks alot and great site here.
Mike

 

[natedogco2007]

i just cleaned my iac and the idle speed came close to normal for mine. cleaning it was exactly as 410 said. i have cleaned this on my ex and f-150. it REALLY helps. it smoothes out all the lil gliches. about cleaning the maf, does the kn air filter cause it to get dirty? i think that it might be my problem. please pm me somone!

 

[Spas]

What IS the proper idle for an SOHC explorer? 600 rpms? Anybody know?

 

[Bashman]

Your idle should be between 700 and 800 rpm.

 

[config]

Part number?

I have the IAC that is tamper/child proof. Basically the one you can't really take apart. The electronic manual says there's 2 of them. One you cannot clean and one you can. I cleaned it anyways as much as I could but does anyone know the part number for the cleanable one? I'm heading back to the states next week on a trip and might as well buy this part. Thanks in advance!

 

[powpow]

security torx, meet my dremel!!!!! I just bored out that stupid a** idea of a screw!!! and now it is a regular torx!!!

 

[Private_Joker]

410Fortune -- re MAF cleaning..

Thanks for the detailed description.

Do you disconnect your car battery completely "before" cleaning the MAF? -- to reset the memory?

Does this make sense?

Also: Regarding those security screws.... Grind them so you can use a flat-head screwdriver. Those security screws are one of the biggest waste-of-time/money things ever invented - in my opinion...

 

[Bashman]

Remove the negative lead from the battery before disconnecting the MAF. This way it will already be reset by the time you have cleaned it and re-installed it.

 

[cdsl227]

Mine was stalling when you start it, it was intermittent, sometimes it ran fine sometimes it stalled. After running for a while it would usually go away and run fine.

The CEL came on and had a P1507 code- cleaned the IAC and MAF- now it runs very smooth...

I put in a K&N while I was at it...

Perfect instructions!

 

[DMan446]

Yeah I did the MAS cleaning on mine a few months back. And I too "modified" the torx screws. I used a small screw driver to pop the pins out of the center and A regular torx bit worked just fine. Still need to do the IAC. I have 94K miles on an '01, so it prolly needs the IAC cleaning pretty bad by now.