What kind of cleaning solution do you use to clean the MAF senser? Also how do you clean it and or how do you know if it needs cleaning?

 

MAF cleaner

 

You can buy MAF cleaner, I wouldnt use anything but that, cause you dont want to leave a residue on it. I recommend my customers to clean them at 25k - 30k intervals.

 

CRC MAF Cleaner. Only used approved MAF cleaner.

Only use throttle body cleaners on throttle bodies. They have a coating that can be damaged if you use non-TB cleaners.

 

So to the OP's other question. What condition tells you it is time to clean?

 

I would clean it as part of say a 75K mile maintenance. If your idle is a bit rough, if the rpms at idle fluctuate, etc. it would be work inspecting it.

 

This is why I hated using K&N air filters on GM's. The residue/oil from the filter will pollute the diodes in the MAF causing problems. Frame or factory paper filter is a more than perfect replacement unless your running power adder's i.e turbos...

 

Yeah, over oiling is the most common issue with the MAF sensor pollution. The dry washable filters are just fine also.

 

The resistor inside the MAF is what you want clean. They tend to look like fuzzy caterpillars when they are dirty... I clean them typically with throttle plate cleaner, because if you are going through the effort of cleaning the MAF you might as well do the throttle plate while you are in there.

 

How do you clean then throttle plate?