Best Method for Cleaning MAF

[wayblownout]

I've been dealing with an intermittent SES light the last couple of weeks. The codes are:
1) P0171 System Lean Bank 1
2) P0174 System Lean Bank 2

I recently changed the plugs and wires and I seafoamed late last summer so my next thoughts as to a culprit are:
1) Dirty MAF
2) Bad O2 sensor(s)
3) Clogged Fuel Filter
4) Air leak
5) Dirty Injectors

My question is what is the best way to clean the MAF. They're expensive, and I don't want to risk damaging the fragile wires. I've heard that brake cleaner works well, but I thought I'd ask the forum if anyone can recommend a safe proven method. Thanks.

[ezysk]

Never have been successful at cleaning one, usually just replace them.

If you car is running right and you are using a proper air filter, then I wouldn't image them getting all that dirty.

Hopeful someone has better luck making one function properly again than I have.

[transampimp]

NAPA, or Autozone should have a can of mass air flow cleaner. It's like $5.00 and works great. Its kinda like throttle body cleaner but wont hurt your MAF. I seperate the aluminum housing from the sensor and clean the sensor until its spotless when I use it.

Its probably not your problem but it won't hurt to give it a whirl.

[bmwmcars]

replace it and be done with it.

[97rs4life]

or you can use the electronics cleaner from like radio shack or wherever. People usually use that stuff to clean the wires off

[CollinsAutomotive]

Hows the fuel pressure ??? Any engine mods. Camshaft,headers etc ?

Sean

I've been dealing with an intermittent SES light the last couple of weeks. The codes are:
1) P0171 System Lean Bank 1
2) P0174 System Lean Bank 2

I recently changed the plugs and wires and I seafoamed late last summer so my next thoughts as to a culprit are:
1) Dirty MAF
2) Bad O2 sensor(s)
3) Clogged Fuel Filter
4) Air leak
5) Dirty Injectors

My question is what is the best way to clean the MAF. They're expensive, and I don't want to risk damaging the fragile wires. I've heard that brake cleaner works well, but I thought I'd ask the forum if anyone can recommend a safe proven method. Thanks.

[wayblownout]

Hows the fuel pressure ??? Any engine mods. Camshaft,headers etc ?

Sean

I considered fuel pressure, and figured the fuel filter would be an issue before the pump. Is there an easy way to check?

I don't have any engine mods (yet). Just the bolt-ons in my sig.

[c0ncEpT]

QD electrical parts cleaner from Home Depot worked for me.

[bmwmcars]

I considered fuel pressure, and figured the fuel filter would be an issue before the pump. Is there an easy way to check?

I don't have any engine mods (yet). Just the bolt-ons in my sig.

fuel pressure gauge, you can pick em up at murrays or autozone for 20 bucks or so. should be schrader valve on the rail. takes about 4 minutes to do.

[Thedon619]

About the MAF, i dident know there was a maf cleaner ill need some of that as well, i used a dremel to polish out the to outsides peices and was wondering how to clean the wires, btw throttle body cleaner works wonders on carbon clogged TBs and intakes.

[motownZ]

CRC makes a MAF cleaner,its basically any live/ contact electraicl cleaner

[shawnc16]

rubbing alcohol and a q-tip...... cheap and works .

[shawnc16]

I've been dealing with an intermittent SES light the last couple of weeks. The codes are:
1) P0171 System Lean Bank 1
2) P0174 System Lean Bank 2

I recently changed the plugs and wires and I seafoamed late last summer so my next thoughts as to a culprit are:
1) Dirty MAF
2) Bad O2 sensor(s)
3) Clogged Fuel Filter
4) Air leak
5) Dirty Injectors

My question is what is the best way to clean the MAF. They're expensive, and I don't want to risk damaging the fragile wires. I've heard that brake cleaner works well, but I thought I'd ask the forum if anyone can recommend a safe proven method. Thanks.

well knock off both o2 sensors... rare to see both of em go.. unless you've been running leaded fuel. fuel filter is very possible. Dirty injectors, not really it would more than likely be a single cylinder missing. The vacuum leak is looking like yur best bet... its a tough call though... check it out but im just trying to make that list shorter for ya

[wayblownout]

well knock off both o2 sensors... rare to see both of em go.. unless you've been running leaded fuel. fuel filter is very possible. Dirty injectors, not really it would more than likely be a single cylinder missing. The vacuum leak is looking like yur best bet... its a tough call though... check it out but im just trying to make that list shorter for ya

Thanks for help, guys. Now there is usually a noticeable throttle lag around the same rpm 2000-2500 or so and then the power comes back like the monster I expect. I suspected an O2 because someone said that if both banks are lean it could be a bad signal from one O2 or the other. I agree that it would unlikely be both at once, and I am pretty careful abut the gas (though it's not beyond the realm of possibility that some asshat at one of the three I usually use screwed something up).

Anyway, I've been out of town the last couple of weeks, and I begin the process of elimination this week. I'll let ya know how it goes.

[motownZ]

here is the prefered cleaner.as a electrian this is just a electrical cleaner that made for live currents and a non-residue feature. its basically the companys same cleaner with a different name on it for a lil more money. so if you know what your looking for and the ingrediantes buy that one and save the 3.00. even thoe this is still pretty cheap at 6.00


http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000EGH...522476-2903902?



hopw this helps out some people

nick