Mass Airflow Sensor

How many of you have cleaned your MAS (Mass Airflow Sensor) lately? The other day my MIL came on. The code was p0171. (lean on bank 1 sensor

1). Well after looking around on the Internet I came to a conclusion that I should try cleaning the MAS. Well after I cleaned it my truck (96 4x4 Tacoma) ran like a freakin' race car. The previous owner had replaced the exhaust with a better one and I'm using a K&N air filter but the truck was just running like crap. It's the first 4 cyl that I've had in a long time I just blamed the poor performance, and delay of power on the size of the engine.

Just curious if anyone else has seen this happen. I can't imagine how many people are driving with dirty MASs and not realizing the difference it makes.

For anyone that wants to try it I just used brake cleaner because it's fairly clean and doesn't leave any type of residue. Also, if you try it, make sure that you are cleaning the tiny little wires inside of the MAS. Some people mistake some of the external parts of the sensor for these wires.... (Mine was really obvious).

Anyway, I'd like to hear what kind of results others see from cleaning it.

Good luck, Dante

Reply to
Dante
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Dante,

Crudded up MAF sensors are a hazard with the K&N system. Although K&N swears that there is no connection, they predicate their assertion on properly oiled, serviced and installed filters. If the consumer - you - overoils, doesn't install it properly, or fails to service at the recommended intervals it leads to dirty MAf sensors and in all likelihood increased engine wear.

Please note that K&N advertises improved performance, not improved filtration, reliability or engine life.

My two cents.

-- Mike Harris

95 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L Austin TX
Reply to
Mike Harris

The sensor is generally referred to as a MAF (mass air flow) or MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor. The hot wire type MAF sensor can get dirty and act as an insulator so that the air flowing past the wire doesn't cool the wire enough. The MAF sensor is supposedly not serviceable, but IMO, it is worth trying to clean it before replacing it. I would use rubbing alcohol instead of brake cleaner because the rubbing alcohol is not quite as harsh.

In order to achieve the higher air flow, many aftermarket air filters let more fine particles pass than OEM filters. A consequence of the fine particles passing through the filter are dirty MAF sensors, oil that becomes contaminated more quickly, and more engine wear. The aftermarket air filters that use an oil bath or coating of oil also contaminate MAF sensors from the oil vapor, which is why you do not see that type of filter OEM applications.

Reply to
Ray O

: The sensor is generally referred to as a MAF (mass air flow) or MAP : (manifold absolute pressure) sensor. The hot wire type MAF sensor can get : dirty and act as an insulator so that the air flowing past the wire doesn't : cool the wire enough. The MAF sensor is supposedly not serviceable, but : IMO, it is worth trying to clean it before replacing it. I would use : rubbing alcohol instead of brake cleaner because the rubbing alcohol is not : quite as harsh. : : In order to achieve the higher air flow, many aftermarket air filters let : more fine particles pass than OEM filters. A consequence of the fine : particles passing through the filter are dirty MAF sensors, oil that becomes : contaminated more quickly, and more engine wear. The aftermarket air : filters that use an oil bath or coating of oil also contaminate MAF sensors : from the oil vapor, which is why you do not see that type of filter OEM : applications.

What about carb cleaner in the spray can?

Reply to
Watts D. Matter

Aerosol carb cleaner should be OK, but it would be my second preference after rubbing alcohol. My thinking is that since you are not supposed to use anything on it, if you do choose to give it a try, then use the least caustic stuff available. Also, carb cleaner can leave a film where rubbing alcohol does not.

Reply to
Ray O

The usual rubbing alcohol (70%) can contain additives such as glycerin. It would be better to use 90% alcohol - easily available at Wal-mart.

---MIKE---

Reply to
---MIKE---

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