Cleaning The Mass Airflow Sensor

Bill · December 21st, 2005, 11:04 PM

my buddy's got a 03 GT and he was wondering what would happen if you clean the MAF with Isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip. well i never heard of cleaning it with that. i was always told to use electical contact cleaner. well he did this and he's regretting it now. can anything bad happen by cleaning your Mass airflow sensor with this type of stuff. thanks for any help.

mdvaldosta · December 21st, 2005, 11:12 PM

you could damage the heating element in it by using a q-tip, but if he didn't then it's fine. As long as the substance he uses doesn't leave a residue and he didn't physically damage the element...

Bill · December 21st, 2005, 11:27 PM

yeah he told me he used a Q-tip when he cleaned it with the alcohol.

JRuckas · December 22nd, 2005, 01:47 AM

i was told to use that once and never had a problem. they told me to be VERY SOFT with the Q-tip and like MD said, not leave any residue.

Casper98GT · January 2nd, 2006, 03:30 PM

Yeah, a Q-tip wont hurt it. You can be a jackass and try to scrub it and then you can have problems. But think about it for a second... why would you need to use a q-tip in the first place. There isnt going to be anything on the MAF sensors that would need something like a q-tip to "scrub" off. I would suggest to everyone not to use a q-tip. Nothing elect. cleaner wont get off, like you stated before. I clean toyota MAF's off at least once a week. Elect. cleaner... all set. saves money, time and you wont damage it.

FastFiveO · January 10th, 2006, 09:29 PM

with the maf i dunno.

beheivjer · February 26th, 2006, 10:11 PM

i used gunk electric motor cleaner when i did mine and it worked great.
i hace also seen people use throttle plate cleaner without problems

ddarkslayer · January 14th, 2010, 06:37 PM

I use carb cleaner and let it air dry

neverfastenough1 · January 14th, 2010, 06:49 PM

Holy digging up the past! 4 years old I guess isn't that old.

slikirish · January 14th, 2010, 06:52 PM

Well while we're on the subject.

C&R electronics cleaner. Spray it on, let it dry.

neverfastenough1 · January 14th, 2010, 06:55 PM

Ok ok, I didn't want to say it, but you can just go to the autoparts store and buy the can that says MAF Cleaner on it. Worked for me anyways, like it was made for it or something.

carnut59 · January 14th, 2010, 09:08 PM

lol

sharkbait · January 14th, 2010, 10:42 PM

They make MAF cleaner. Works good!

The bottle says it adds 10hp ROFL

I8ACMRO · January 14th, 2010, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by sharkbait

They make MAF cleaner. Works good!

The bottle says it adds 10hp ROFL

Haha I have the same stuff and it kills me w/ that quote. Does it help? Yes. Does it add 10hp? HELL NO! lol

01KnightRiderGT · January 15th, 2010, 11:23 AM

what about brake cleaner??

RyanGT · January 15th, 2010, 12:21 PM

Brake and carb cleaner are too strong. It will either damage or leave a residue on the element. Just buy a can of the MAF/electircal cleaner. I would get the MAF cleaner, and you can use it on other electrical stuff. Better safe than buying a new MAF.

BostonPerformance · January 15th, 2010, 12:28 PM

have you guys heard of MAF cleaner?

M.P. Cobra Fan · January 15th, 2010, 12:33 PM

Whats a MAF? Why do I need to clean it? How do I know when to clean it, does it stink?

01KnightRiderGT · January 15th, 2010, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by BostonPerformance

have you guys heard of MAF cleaner?

Yes we have, well at least I have I can’t speak for the rest. I asked the question because we might not have MAF cleaner but might have other cleaners and wanted to know if these would be an alternative instead of having to go buy some.

M.P. Cobra Fan · January 15th, 2010, 12:36 PM

Don't worry homie. I think he was being sarcastic with everyone who kept posting "Use Maf cleaner". Don't even think it was directed at you.

December 21st, 2005, 11:04 PM	#1
Bill Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,327 iTrader: 0 reviews	Cleaning The Mass Airflow Sensor my buddy's got a 03 GT and he was wondering what would happen if you clean the MAF with Isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip. well i never heard of cleaning it with that. i was always told to use electical contact cleaner. well he did this and he's regretting it now. can anything bad happen by cleaning your Mass airflow sensor with this type of stuff. thanks for any help. __________________ Too often, We lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, BUT, it only take 4 muscles to extend your arm and bitch-slap that Mother@#?!&! upside the head!!

December 21st, 2005, 11:27 PM	#3
Bill Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,327 iTrader: 0 reviews	yeah he told me he used a Q-tip when he cleaned it with the alcohol. __________________ Too often, We lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, BUT, it only take 4 muscles to extend your arm and bitch-slap that Mother@#?!&! upside the head!!

January 2nd, 2006, 03:30 PM	#5
Casper98GT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE Posts: 2,419 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yeah, a Q-tip wont hurt it. You can be a jackass and try to scrub it and then you can have problems. But think about it for a second... why would you need to use a q-tip in the first place. There isnt going to be anything on the MAF sensors that would need something like a q-tip to "scrub" off. I would suggest to everyone not to use a q-tip. Nothing elect. cleaner wont get off, like you stated before. I clean toyota MAF's off at least once a week. Elect. cleaner... all set. saves money, time and you wont damage it. __________________ 1995 SVT Mustang Cobra. Stock... 2006 Mitsu Evo MR full bolt on with FP Green 500awhp 1992 LX 69k miles, ON3 70mm single turbo 2009 Toyota Camry SE DD Ex:Toyota/Ford tech Marine Machinery Technician, Department of Defense.

January 10th, 2006, 09:29 PM	#6
FastFiveO Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: S.C. Posts: 79 iTrader: 0 reviews	with the maf i dunno. __________________ 86 Mustang GT- twinturbo nitrous injected and much more. 86 Bronco- few mods

February 26th, 2006, 10:11 PM	#7
beheivjer Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: belding, michigan Posts: 840 iTrader: 0 reviews	i used gunk electric motor cleaner when i did mine and it worked great. i hace also seen people use throttle plate cleaner without problems __________________ 1969 Early Bronco 3.5" lift 37" swampers 1969 Early Bronco 2" lift half cab 1979 2.3t Cobra 1997 Black Cobra http://www.cardomain.com/ride/680999 http://www.myspace.com/beheivjer

December 21st, 2005, 11:12 PM	#2
mdvaldosta MM Fanatic 2002 Mustang GT 11.47@120.58 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 3,940 iTrader: 0 reviews	you could damage the heating element in it by using a q-tip, but if he didn't then it's fine. As long as the substance he uses doesn't leave a residue and he didn't physically damage the element...

December 22nd, 2005, 01:47 AM	#4
JRuckas Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,103 iTrader: 0 reviews	i was told to use that once and never had a problem. they told me to be VERY SOFT with the Q-tip and like MD said, not leave any residue.

January 14th, 2010, 06:37 PM	#8
ddarkslayer Hardcore Enthusiast 1988 Mustang 5.0 LX 12.48@118.27 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 1,503 iTrader: 0 reviews	I use carb cleaner and let it air dry

January 14th, 2010, 06:49 PM	#9
neverfastenough1 Hardcore Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 2,803 iTrader: 3 reviews	Holy digging up the past! 4 years old I guess isn't that old. __________________

January 14th, 2010, 06:55 PM	#11
neverfastenough1 Hardcore Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 2,803 iTrader: 3 reviews	Ok ok, I didn't want to say it, but you can just go to the autoparts store and buy the can that says MAF Cleaner on it. Worked for me anyways, like it was made for it or something. __________________

January 14th, 2010, 09:08 PM	#12
carnut59 Enthusiast 2001 gt Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 774 iTrader: 0 reviews	lol

January 14th, 2010, 10:42 PM	#13
sharkbait Hooo Ha Ha 1997 Mustang GT 10.87 @ 125 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pasadena MD Posts: 10,449 iTrader: 10 reviews	They make MAF cleaner. Works good! The bottle says it adds 10hp ROFL __________________ 496rwhp 580rwtq @ 12psi 76mm Turbo 5.4 swap #turbo2v www.JPCracing.com 410-729-0005

January 15th, 2010, 11:23 AM	#15
01KnightRiderGT Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Mustang GT Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 1,896 iTrader: 0 reviews	what about brake cleaner?? __________________ Black Stang Member #13 315's Crew Founder My Track Videos

January 15th, 2010, 12:21 PM	#16
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	Brake and carb cleaner are too strong. It will either damage or leave a residue on the element. Just buy a can of the MAF/electircal cleaner. I would get the MAF cleaner, and you can use it on other electrical stuff. Better safe than buying a new MAF. __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

January 15th, 2010, 12:28 PM	#17
BostonPerformance Enthusiast 99 Cherokee sport/87 5.0 not tested Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: san antonio, tx Posts: 923 iTrader: 0 reviews	have you guys heard of MAF cleaner? __________________ [CENTER]"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory," -Hartley Burr Alexander

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January 15th, 2010, 12:33 PM	#18
M.P. Cobra Fan It's in the details Mod! 01 Cobra Vert Nov 09/10 ROTM! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples Fl Posts: 11,052 iTrader: 1 reviews	Whats a MAF? Why do I need to clean it? How do I know when to clean it, does it stink? __________________ Pinup in signature by loish.net Modded Mustangs Cobra Club#007 Military Crew E6 VOTED MM's BEST SIGNATURE 2010. THANKS STANGGTR07

January 15th, 2010, 12:36 PM	#20
M.P. Cobra Fan It's in the details Mod! 01 Cobra Vert Nov 09/10 ROTM! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples Fl Posts: 11,052 iTrader: 1 reviews	Don't worry homie. I think he was being sarcastic with everyone who kept posting "Use Maf cleaner". Don't even think it was directed at you. __________________ Pinup in signature by loish.net Modded Mustangs Cobra Club#007 Military Crew E6 VOTED MM's BEST SIGNATURE 2010. THANKS STANGGTR07

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