How MAF sensor gets fouled...

[Joel Lenorovitz]

Wil,

The Hitachi MAF sensor particular to my '95 V6 as well as other Audis, some Fords,
and some GMs does NOT have a burnoff cycle, unfortunately, which more or less
invites fouling over time.  I've heard of numerous incidents (in fact, I may have
even participated in one incident) where this is exacerbated by overzealous oiling
of K&N or other such filters.  The excess oil moves downline and gradually collects
on the sensor and attracts more dirt, etc., etc.  Then it really confuses your ECU
and messes up your fuel mix.

Cleaning methods involve soaking the sensor element in carb cleaner or isopropyl
alcohol and also gentle work with a soft toothbrush.  Damage can result if you're
not careul so I'm not endorsing these techniques unless you know your MAF is dirty
and misbehaving.  Hope that clears things up.  Here's a great web page explaining
things in more detail.

www.gatewaycleanair.com/mechanic/air4_4/dirtymaf.htm

Joel

--- Wilfried Link <wilfriedlink at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Joel,
>
> I have no info on buying a sensor, but I'm curious as
> to why or how it was getting fouled, and how you
> successfully cleaned it. I had understood that the
> sensors have a burn off cycle upon engine shutdown and
> had never read anything about cleaning one to solve
> problems.
>
> Thanks,
> Wil
>


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