How to clean the mass air flow sensor??

I sent my ECU back to Active, and Karl told me that the software look fine and the MAF might be the problem. Do you guys think the reason is the K&N filter AA is using. Because I just replaced my MAF 20k miles ago and I don't see how would it go wrong.

The question now. Can the MAS be cleaned with 97% alcohol and a Q-tip? or is there another way to clean this without paying the $400??

Thanks

Originally Posted by silver///M3

I sent my ECU back to Active, and Karl told me that the software look fine and the MAF might be the problem. Do you guys think the reason is the K&N filter AA is using. Because I just replaced my MAF 20k miles ago and I don't see how would it go wrong.

The question now. Can the MAS be cleaned with 97% alcohol and a Q-tip? or is there another way to clean this without paying the $400??

Thanks

I had the same problem.....I cleaned mine useing 97% alcohol but no q-tip. Just pour the alcohol over the MAF and let it dry on it own

I had some oil from the Gruppe M intake leaked downstream and found it's way to the MAF and ducting. I went to PepBoys and purchased a can of CRC electric contact cleaner and electric cleaner. Found out that the electric cleaner was not a good idea for plastic and rubber but the "contact cleaner" was what the doctor ordered. It was also less powerful and made cleaning the heating element, contact, and ducting a breeze. It also dries very fast leaving no residue. Whatever you do, do not use q-tip as the heating element in the MAF easily breaks. It is very "BRITTLE"! My buddy found out the hard way and had to pay over 200 at Pac. BMW for a new one.

Thanks guys, I just used this
its called CRC mass air flow sensor cleaner. works like a magic, the car is up and runing again now.

I just bought a 2004 M3 from a private party that has a full exhaust system and has a K&N 69 intake on it. The car has been idling in Neutral and 1st gear between 500 and 1500 rpm and has even stalled on me twice. The Service Engine Soon Light came on and I took it into my BMW dealer. They said that the part has messed with the Mass Air Flow Sensor. They are telling me to take the part off and put the stock one back on. What should I do to fix this problem?

I need to give them an answer ASAP. So i appreciate any advise I can get ASAP.

Thanks,

Dan

Just clean the MAF with the contact cleaner above or get a new MAF (which bolts onto the K&N plastic black pipe that goes into the engine. The K&N is totally worth it, makes a difference in the power and responsiveness of the engine, i wouldn't remove it. My service engine light comes on every 15k miles, all i do is clean it and it goes away!

If you have to clean it that periodically, wouldn't that mean many contaminants are passing through the filter, some getting stopped by the MAF, and the rest ultimately ending up in your engine?? I cannot help but think thats not a good situation.

just making sure, is this little chip inside the tube the maf sensor? i clean that, and only that with the crc maf cleaner, right?

That's what I did, and I need to do it again. I just finished my supercharger install, and now my idle is freaking out. I imagine my MAF is to blame.

+1 on CRC MAF cleaner, its about 6$ at your local schucks/napa, i had some what appear to be stains on mine, sprayed it from all angles and bam within seconds it evaporated and is squeaky clean, idles much better and CEL is gone

I had my air flow meter replaced a few thousand miles back but hasnt made any differance, wot part should i clean? the electrical connection on the plug??

^ you unscrew the clamps, and pull out the maf piece of the pipeing off the intake air hose..there should be plastic screensboth ways fronty and back with metal screen in the front, use a maf cleaner, or brake cleaner and spray the metal connections that are exposed inside the maf tube.

do not wip or dar touch the metal piece, just spray nicely, wait about a minute for the cleaner solvent to dissapate into the air, and put it all back..you should be pleansantly surprised on your next drive.




it doesnt look exactly like this but you get the picture.

MAF getting messed up from an oiled filter is not from extra contaminants getting in. It's from extra oil on the filter getting into the air intake stream and contaminating the MAF "hot wire". That throws off the air density readings, which in turn change what the ECU does. Example: maybe you drive your car at sea level but the ECU thinks you are at 5600 feet elevation. The ECU will dink with fuel ratio, timing, or who knows what else to compensate for what it sees as leaner air. The worse that the MAF is off, the worse your car will run.

So yeah, just get a can of MAF spray. I use CRC MAF cleaner as well, every time I clean and re-oil the filter. +1000 on don't touch the MAF sensor wire.

Also if you have any type of oiled filter, pick up a cleaning/re-oiling "recharge" kit. If at all possible, get one with a spray oil. And SPRAY LIGHTLY. If you think the filter has just enough oil, it probably has too much.

And don't clean the filter too often. They can go for a LONG time between cleanings. If you live in a sandy or dusty area, maybe invest in a prefilter sock you can remove and clean.

Originally Posted by aaronu

MAF getting messed up from an oiled filter is not from extra contaminants getting in.

http://duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

oil'd filters are

I've been wanting to ask this question. I cannot find this CRC MAF cleaner in my country if my life depended on it. And it cannot ship by air so ordering from the US also isn't possible.

Can I also use normal brake cleaner to clean the MAF?

Why does this thread have like, ten thousand views and 15 replies

Originally Posted by Acarder

Why does this thread have like, ten thousand views and 15 replies

...because this is one of those threads where you learn that the CRC mass air-flow cleaner will do the job! After that, there is really nothing to add.

Originally Posted by Safar

I've been wanting to ask this question. I cannot find this CRC MAF cleaner in my country if my life depended on it. And it cannot ship by air so ordering from the US also isn't possible.

Can I also use normal brake cleaner to clean the MAF?

yes, anything that has tetrachloroethylene will do.


even the electrical cleaner..

Originally Posted by Acarder

Why does this thread have like, ten thousand views and 15 replies

Because when you search "how to clean mass air sensor BMW" on Google, it's at the top

Originally Posted by Safar

I've been wanting to ask this question. I cannot find this CRC MAF cleaner in my country if my life depended on it. And it cannot ship by air so ordering from the US also isn't possible.

Can I also use normal brake cleaner to clean the MAF?

I wouldn't use brake cleaners.

Like Mach posted, electronic/electrical contact cleaners only.