MAF Sensor cleaner?

Hey all,

So here's a question. I'm sure everyone has seen the MAF Sensor cleaner products on the shelevs these days. They promise "more horsepower ...", the usual BS. I called CRC as asked if their product is safe for a 98 Taco, adn they assured me that it is. I then called Toyota, and (their parts and tech people are great for help and advice) and they told me that they never bother cleaner the MAF sensores, and weren't even aware of products purporting to do that.

So heres' teh question. An itme in use for 20 years should surely need or some maintenance like cleaning, you'd lthink. The other side si the old syaing "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." What if it damages the sensor or negatively affects the vehicle performance.?

Anybody have any experience with MAF senosr maintenance (or not)?

 

Cleaned my TB and MAF sensor on my 03 DC, and encountered no problems. I'm pretty sure I used CRC products, but don't quote me on that.

 

I just do a spray and never had any issues across multiple vehicles. Spray clean. Let dry. Reinstall

 

Fairly routine to clean the maf, use QD electrical cleaner, same as maf cleaner.
The only thing you need to clean is that little thing that looks like a bulb at the end of the wire. The rest is just plastic. Only spray, don’t touch

 

When I bought my truck 4 years ago, I couldn’t pull out in traffic because my 3rz bogged when I hit the gas. Cleaned the MAF with CRC MAF cleaner and problem solved. Before I cleaned it that little thing that looks like a bulb looked kinda furry.

 

Because they can just charge you to replace them.

Clean your MAF once a year or every other oil change if you hit the dirt often.

 

Just did mine a couple weeks ago. Super simple and won't cause problems if you don't touch it. Just use the spray and blast it.

 

That "little bulb" thing is the intake air temp sensor, the MAF is down inside the tube next to it. Looks like little resistors.

 

Yes. You beat me to it. Here’s my old MAF that I replaced

 

Dealership are all about firing off the parts cannon and replacing everything rather than fixing it, of course they wouldn't use MAF cleaner.

I've used it numerous times on my 96 4runner and 04 Tacoma, it works great.

 

Learnt sumpin new today, thanks for the info

 

Got it, especially the part concerning the dealer. I should have known... Thanks so much, everybody.

PS: THis is a PS to my previous reply. First, I'm not experienced on these forums. I don't know if the reply gets to everyone who responded or just the last person on the list.

This is a reply to the entry by Laxtoy. You mentioned QD electronics cleaner. I have a background as a tech and have a bunch of audio pre-amps and projects that I've built. I'm familiar with that and similar cleaners used to remove oxidation on contacts.. Is the MAF sensor cleaner really just an electronics cleaner, or does it have added "dirt and grime cremoval capabilities?

Thanks again, everybody.