The MAF Cleaning Thread

[az3579]

I figured I'd start a discussion on the topic of cleaning hot-film MAFs. A lot of people seem to think that it's possible to successfully clean a hot-film MAF (like the one on the E46 330's) without causing further damage. Along the same token, there are just as many people who say it is not possible to clean a hot film MAF, unlike the hot-wire versions which can be cleaned with MAF spray, and say that attempting to clean a hot-film MAF will further damage the unit, potentially making it worse.

All I have to go on so far is what can be read online, as well as the experience of personal friends of mine who work at various shops (one of which was a master BMW tech before he got laid off). While I do trust the word of experience people who have seen a lot more than we have (as just regular owners), I'd like more information.

The naysayers, ones who say it cannot be cleaned, are mainly the techs that I spoke to. I thought I also read it in some technical information for a Bosch hot-film MAF, but I didn't bookmark the info, so am going to treat it as though I've never seen it.

The ones who say they can be cleaned have claimed to have cleaned them by spraying them with MAF cleaner. These are the folks who were having problems with their MAFs. From what I've seen, there are a few who say it worked and left it at that. Then, there were the folks who sprayed them and just made their problems worse, or had the issue return shortly after.


So, I'd like to open the discussion to the populace here and see if anyone can provide hard data as to why these things can or cannot be cleaned. Anyone?


I don't have too much time to research this on my lunch break, but will do some more research tomorrow when I have more time and see if I can find examples of actual data on the matter. The purpose of this thread is data, so the more of it we have, the more informed we are! Ready, set, go!

[slater]

i cleaned mine with CRC SensorKleen the first week i had the car. grime came off. MAF still works. that was over 2.5 years ago. maybe i didn't spray enough to do any damage? maybe it doesn't damage it at all?

also, interesting (first post):

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...re-dumping-it!

[NoVAphotog]

i cleaned mine with CRC SensorKleen the first week i had the car. grime came off. MAF still works. that was over 2.5 years ago. maybe i didn't spray enough to do any damage? maybe it doesn't damage it at all?

also, interesting (first post):

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...re-dumping-it!

Plus one.

Cleaned mine during my initial maintenance regiment with the same stuff 2 years ago. No issues. I think it's fine to do a quick burst and keep it moving just get any dust and grime off.

[theothersawyer]

I was throwing codes and everyone on here said the MAF was the issue. Took it off and cleaned it with the CRC SensorKleen spray. Codes went away and never came back. It has probably been 6-8 months!

[slater]

I was throwing codes and everyone on here said the MAF was the issue. Took it off and cleaned it with the CRC SensorKleen spray. Codes went away and never came back. It has probably been 6-8 months!

awesome. it's the K in 'kleen' that does it.

[ELCID86]

I've cleaned mine a couple of times with MAF spray.


Sent from my iPhone with TaT.

[Sockethead]

I used CRC MAF cleaner as well a couple of years ago with no issues

[toddztoyz]

I am 2 for 2, in that I have used the same brand of cleaner and it failed on both cars. I tried it first on my ZHP and then on the 325Ci, and neither got worse, but neither worked. I ended up replacing both with a remanufactured MAF and that solved the problem on both cars.

[WOLFN8TR]

I clean my MAF every time I clean my air filter with CRC MAF cleaner. Never had any problems.

[Cadeez]

I clean my MAF every time I clean my air filter with CRC MAF cleaner. Never had any problems.

What he said...