MAF Cleaning - What brand of cleaner?

[4x4Fink]

Hey guys,

I know this topic has been discussed a lot and I've done all the searching and know how to do it but nowhere, other than the 4x4Wire write-up but I can't seem to find that kind of cleaner around here. I have tried several different local brands and they all seem to leave a slight residue behind.

So my question is...
What brands of cleaners, electronics or brake, have you guys used and which do you think is better (if you have used both)?

Thanks,

Finkhttp://www.yotatech.com/images/smilies/devil.gif

[MTL_4runner]

I've used a few but most of the time I just use CRC Brakleen brand on my MAF wires.

Looks like this:
http://www.crcindustries.com/catalog/images/Cleaners%20and%20Degreasers/05084.jpg

What brands were you using?
Were they totally dry when you felt the residue?

[4x4Fink]

One of them was a generic AutoZone brand and the other one was made by PB Blaster, can't remember the specific name.

I sprayed them onto a piece of metal and let them dry for about 10 minutes and after I touched it my fingers were glossy, not WET but definitely had a sheen.

Is that CRC stuff carried at any big auto parts stores?

Thanks for the reply Jamie,

Finkhttp://www.yotatech.com/images/smilies/devil.gif

[MTL_4runner]

I got it at Walmart up here, I think they carry it at Walyworld down in the US too.

[gpcollen]

I saw something at an Autozone recently that was an actual MAF sensor cleaner. Maybe it was at NAPA...but dont remember the brand.

[4x4Fink]

Sweet, thanks Jamie.

Thanks for the reply gpcollen, I've seen a few of those too but the one's I've seen have been upwards of $30 for one can.

I'll go check Wal-Mart later today, they carry some pretty good stuff these days.

Fink

[MTL_4runner]

I saw something at an Autozone recently that was an actual MAF sensor cleaner. Maybe it was at NAPA...but dont remember the brand.


CRC actually makes a MAF sensor cleaner but I've never seen it sold anywhere nor have I tried it.
If some one has and knows where it's sold, post up.

http://www.crcindustries.com/catalog/images/Cleaners%20and%20Degreasers/05110.jpg

[4x4Fink]

Yeah I think that may be the stuff that I saw a while back, I wish I could remember where though. It may have been at O'Reillys.

Here's a link to a website that carries it:

http://www.midwayautosupply.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=3641&affiliateid=10050

Pretty expensive stuff.

Fink

[4x4Fink]

Here's another variety, looks like it may be an older version but if somebody has seen this stuff that might be some good info too.

http://www.crcindustries.com/catalog/images/Cleaners%20and%20Degreasers/75110.jpg

Fink

[MTL_4runner]

Don't bother with the specialty cleaners, brake cleaner works and it's a heck of alot cheaper ($33 for MAF cleaner :screwy: ).
Even the techs at the Toyota dealer use brake cleaner on the MAFs.

[surf4runner]

for brakes: whoever has the big can, cheap and on sale. usually gunk.

i have only found MAF cleaner at kragen.
i use liquid electrical contact cleaner (w/a swab) directly on it. i can see all the residue removed too. brand escapes me but it was from an electronics store (MG?)

[4x4Fink]

Thanks for all the info guys, hopefully this help some of those who are trying to do this.

For informations sake, here is a link to the Write-Up on 4x4Wire.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html

Finkhttp://www.yotatech.com/images/smilies/devil.gif

[MTL_4runner]

Thanks for all the info guys, hopefully this help some of those who are trying to do this.

For informations sake, here is a link to the Write-Up on 4x4Wire.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html (http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html)

Finkhttp://www.yotatech.com/images/smilies/devil.gif



Yep, except substitute brake cleaner for "electrical cleaner". :thumbup:

[4x4Fink]

Turns out my Wal-Mart carries the same stuff you use Jamie. I bought a can and went over to ADH8796's place and we both cleaned our MAF's. Mine was pretty dirty.

One question, on mine, there was like an orange transistor looking thing that would have been directly in the air flow path but then inside the little MAF holder thing I could see the wires that are pictured on 4x4Wire. I just cleaned both and let it dry.

I had never seen any pics showing the little orange LED looking thing that is on mine so I'm hoping it didn't hurt to spray that with cleaner. It was WAY dirtier than the little wires, I am assuming because the wires are deep inside the MAF holder thing and this little LED looking thing, which I am assuming is the actual sensor was BLACK on the intake side and clean on the other side so I cleaned it up and sprayed the wires a little bit too.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/4x4Fink/4Runner/MAFSensor_PaintVersion.jpg

Maybe this is a newb question but I had never seen that before.

Thanks for all your help guys,

Fink

[mastacox]

I saw something at an Autozone recently that was an actual MAF sensor cleaner. Maybe it was at NAPA...but dont remember the brand.


CRC actually makes a MAF sensor cleaner but I've never seen it sold anywhere nor have I tried it.
If some one has and knows where it's sold, post up.

http://www.crcindustries.com/catalog/images/Cleaners%20and%20Degreasers/05110.jpg


This is the stuff I used last time. Worked like a charm.

It didn't cost $33; it was about $6 IIRC, similar to brake kleen...

[4x4Fink]

mastacox, where did you find that stuff?

Fink

[mastacox]

mastacox, where did you find that stuff?

Fink


I got it at Checker (might be Kragen over there).

[MTL_4runner]

Turns out my Wal-Mart carries the same stuff you use Jamie. I bought a can and went over to ADH8796's place and we both cleaned our MAF's. Mine was pretty dirty.

One question, on mine, there was like an orange transistor looking thing that would have been directly in the air flow path but then inside the little MAF holder thing I could see the wires that are pictured on 4x4Wire. I just cleaned both and let it dry.

I had never seen any pics showing the little orange LED looking thing that is on mine so I'm hoping it didn't hurt to spray that with cleaner. It was WAY dirtier than the little wires, I am assuming because the wires are deep inside the MAF holder thing and this little LED looking thing, which I am assuming is the actual sensor was BLACK on the intake side and clean on the other side so I cleaned it up and sprayed the wires a little bit too.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/4x4Fink/4Runner/MAFSensor_PaintVersion.jpg

Maybe this is a newb question but I had never seen that before.

Thanks for all your help guys,

Fink


Fink, those are all part of the MAF sensor, but they all have different functions.

That "LED" looking thing is the intake temperature sensor shown here:
http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/knowledge/admin/images/maf_airtemp.JPG

The actual air flow meausring portion are the 2 wires so often shown in the pics:
http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/knowledge/admin/images/maf_wires.JPG

The brake cleaner or MAF sensor cleaner should have damaged either one.

[4x4Fink]

The brake cleaner or MAF sensor cleaner should have damaged either one.


You mean...should NOT have damaged, lol.

Fink

[MTL_4runner]

You mean...should NOT have damaged, lol.

Fink


LOL.....it's been a long day. :confused: :drool: :laugh:

[BennyTRD]

This seems like an appropriate place to post this. I went outside today with the intention of cleaing my MAF. This procedure is not a specicically hard tast on any vehicle I have evern owned before, but, I'm confused on my 4Runner. This is what I am dealing with. It looks nothing like the MAF I have seen in other pictures in the various write ups and posts.

How do I go about cleaning this?? I was about to try and pry the top cover off (because there are no screws), but I hesitated for a minute and thought I would "Ask the Experts" one might say.

Is there somethign I missed when reading all the posts?? Help me out here guys.

[4x4Fink]

If you look closely inside of the that pinwheel looking thing, you will see the sensor wires that everybody is talking about.

Take a flashlight and look inside of it, you'll see em. You can just spray the cleaner inside of the pinwheel, it really can't hurt anything in there as long as you don't stick the tube down inside of it.

Hope that helps!

Fink

[BennyTRD]

As simple as that huh?? Right on. By the look at all the other posts you could take the sensor right off the intake tube. But I guess they changed in later years. Thanks for clearing that up man.

[MTL_4runner]

As simple as that huh?? Right on. By the look at all the other posts you could take the sensor right off the intake tube. But I guess they changed in later years. Thanks for clearing that up man.


Ben, 96-98 4runners have MAF sensors like the one you have (in the pic) and the MAF sensor wires are very tough to access (need to look inside the "crosshairs"). The 99-02 4runners had a MAF like the one you see in alot of the writeups (or in my prior pics above) and can be removed by taking out 2 screws. It's a very good thing you didn't pry the top off that MAF of you could have cost yourself ALOT of money (those ones for the 96-98's are $300+!!!)

[Stevo3]

Actually MLT 4runner, Those are only on the 96 runners. And new from the dealer is $600, And a remaned one is $300 from napa/checker/autozone etc.

[4x4Fink]

Actually MLT 4runner, Those are only on the 96 runners. And new from the dealer is $600, And a remaned one is $300 from napa/checker/autozone etc.


I think Jamie is right. The type of MAF pictured is on the 96-98's. My buddy has a '98 and his is exactly like that. They changed them in '99 to the kind that you can actually seperate from the intake tube.

[DNAhilux]

i picked up some of that crc sensor cleaner/maf cleaner. and well funny enough it smelt and acted just like their QD electronic spray..

[BennyTRD]

Actually MLT 4runner, Those are only on the 96 runners. And new from the dealer is $600, And a remaned one is $300 from napa/checker/autozone etc.


Well it's on my 97. I typed the part # on toyotapartsales.com and came up with a cost of $669 MSRP. Thats nuts!!!

[MTL_4runner]

Actually MLT 4runner, Those are only on the 96 runners. And new from the dealer is $600, And a remaned one is $300 from napa/checker/autozone etc.


Steve, I still stand by my original statement as far as what type goes on what year vehicle.
....although my estimated retail price for a new MAF might be a tad off (retail is $455). :laugh:

If someone is looking for a MAF part number 22250-20020, the same MAF was also on:

95-96 Avalon
96-98 4 Runner V6
7/94-96 Camry V6
94-96 ES300
94-95 Previa w/supercharger
95-98 T100 V6
95-98 Tacoma V6

[4x4Fink]

Actually MLT 4runner, Those are only on the 96 runners. And new from the dealer is $600, And a remaned one is $300 from napa/checker/autozone etc.


Steve, I still stand by my original statement as far as what type goes on what year vehicle.
....although my estimated retail price for a new MAF might be a tad off (retail is $455). :laugh:

If someone is looking for a MAF part number 22250-20020, the same MAF was also on:

95-96 Avalon
96-98 4 Runner V6
7/94-96 Camry V6
94-96 ES300
94-95 Previa w/supercharger
95-98 T100 V6
95-98 Tacoma V6



As always full of information Jamie!

Fink

[mastacox]

...

94-95 Previa w/supercharger

...


Suhweeet, supercharged minivan of fury!!! :lol: