How-to Clean Mass Air Flow Sensor on FJ Cruiser

[TaosMtn3]

@mypalrocco in yo face

[mrjnutube]

It's amazing how a small thing like maf can make such a difference in fuel consumption.

I followed your cleaning instructions, and was I surprised! I run a subaru forester with a 2.5L STI engine. This is a very thirsty car-about 6KM/Litre of Vpower petrol on the street. After the cleanup using wd40, I have clocked 165KM on a 1/4 tank of 60 litres. At this rate, am looking @ over 10KM/Litre!

Thank you for beautiful vd. very informative. I can't wait for more tips....

[aanthoniewow]

Is it possible to blew up the sensor? cause i think i just blew mine.. and the car turns on it only stays on if i revv it goes to 0rpm wheni let go of gas paddle.. help

[TaosMtn3]

what kinda mechanic wears white gloves.... are you performing surgery

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@TaosMtn3 ha ha ha... the kind that has to keep taking off greasy gloves to move the camera around and try not get the video gear all covered with grease... easier to peel off the gloves and throw them out then buy new lenses :-)

[Bulgdoom]

@lastgreatroadtrip

Put a plastic zip lock bag over your camera

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@Bulgdoom nice tip... Thx

[mypalrocco]

@TaosMtn3 dick!

[henshalldood]

very helpful i need to do this on my 1997 ford explorer sport it helps the gas mileage tremendously

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@henshalldood thanks for the note... glad you like it.

[zsantos147]

best video ever



[lastgreatroadtrip]

@zsantos147 not sure about "ever" :-) but thank you very much.

[u2focused]

Kewlness - was about to purchase a new mass air sensor unit, but after 195k miles, it makes sense to at least TRY to clean the thing FIRST. Excellent video, well scripted and cinematography was nicely done. THANKS!!!

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@u2focused Thank you for the note.... Glad you like our video.

[Hrolfgar9000]

This video DOESN'T show how to clean the mass airflow sensor! The wires you point to at 2:16 is the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor. The mass airflow sensor nested inside the plastic tube you see to the left of that IAT at 2:16. You need to spray down into that to clean to MAF. The MAF sensor is deep in there and hard to see without a flashlight.

[astrogolf4]

fantastic video, great explanations and very clear

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@astrogolf4 Thank you... Glad you like it. Be sure to check out our website and our facebook page for more stuff.

[guaporuiz]

Sweet video!

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@guaporuiz thanks for the comment... Glad you like it.

[borinquenpr]

Very nice

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@borinquenpr Thank you. Glad you like it. Be sure to check the web site for addition info on our videos.

[thanxx]

excellent video my friend.thankyou for posting this.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@thanxx Glad you like it.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@jeffreyhaywood There are any number of reason a check engine light will come on. Some as simple as scheduled maintenance others more serious. If you are unsure take it into a mechanic who can hook up your vehicle and read the error codes for you.

[zillsburyy]

sweet

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@zillsburyy Thanks... Glad you like it.

[zillsburyy]

@lastgreatroadtrip i just used the CRC stuff. mine had 4 wires. 4 seperate resistors with a lot of black crud built up on them. now my car starts and stays running. i thought it was IAC at first.

[k7dugan]

Thanks for taking the time to put out all your how to videos for the FJ. When I did my 30k service your videos were a big help. Changing my oil tomorrow and probably going to go ahead and clean the MAF while I am at it. Gracias.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@k7dugan Thank you and I'm glad it helped. Also check out our website for more pictures, reference links and other help.

[orcguanaco]

note that maf sensors are located differently depending on the car and model

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@orcguanaco great point... Everyone should have a reference manual for their rig. These videos are designed to help but you still need reference to your exact rig.

[Liamautomechanic]

very good.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@Liamautomechanic thank you glad you liked it.

[audiocable]

i tried this i noticed a lot of dirt on it, it helped my milage for a while, about a week i got about 600km to one tank, now its gone back to its old self, burning a whole tank of gas and costing me 60 per fill! it now gets about 200 miles to one tank, i think the MAF sensor is blown, or bad injectors.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@audiocable might be time to take it in and have a shop you trust take a look to verify what is up... also check the air intake to see if you have any leaks letting in dirt. Good luck to you.

[audiocable]

@lastgreatroadtrip i have checked the intake and it seems fine, even then my maxima has a screen in front that will ristrict dirt, yet it seems like this sensor may be fried, or maybe its because i am adding regular instead of premium, the check engine light is no longer on because i reset it and it has not come up yet

[dolina64]

This video does not show the MAF sensor. What they are cleaning is the air temperature sensor. The MAF sensors are 2 small wires inside the hole. Big mistake! Doesn't hurt to clean the temp sensor but this will not change much if your MAF sensor wires are dirty.

[mssca]

Thank you so much... I have a check engine light on because of the MAF sensor malfuntion. I am going to do this BEFORE paying for $300 + Canadian for a new sensor.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

@mssca hope it works for you...  Good luck

[alexand3r5922]

I need help readout p0174 on my dodge intrepid 02 sxt 3.5 but this car dont have maf sensor and I replace all ignition coil but is the same problem and the same code

[bowser222]

its not your MAF sensor dude, its your gas pedal stuck wide open throttle ahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahah­ahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahah­ahahahhahaha!

[lonbera]

hey thanks alot for schooling me on this cleaning leeson it saved me lots of money thanks

[lastgreatroadtrip]

glad it helped

[99fordzx29]

Wow off road much? lol

-D

[lastgreatroadtrip]

The dirt gave it away :-)  this is no garage princess... the blue bunny works for a living.

[thatbastardson]

anyone know if a PO174 diagnostic readout, has anything to do with the maf sensor? im having problems with my 2002 isuzu rodeo.

[318bimmer]

I use CRC MAF sensor cleaner. Safe on the wires and the plastic housing. My boss used carb cleaner on his truck and ended costing him close to 400.00 dollars. CRC MAF cleaner is 5-6 dollars at any auto parts store.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Good reminder that is it well worth a extra dollar or two... use the wrong cleaner for electronic parts and you could end up spending hundreds of dollars.

[101alva]

thanx soo much.. i went to toyota for my check ingine light.. an they said i needed a new mass air flow sensor.. 340 bux.. i used this vid an now my check ingine light went away. =] thanx a bunch

[vinngrizzle]

nice video make sure to clean the sensor b4 idiots mechanics tell u its bad mine was fine paid 100 bucks to replace it my problem was the pc wasnt reset after i swiped out coil packs wires and plugs

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Glad you liked the video... sorry to hear about your trouble and I hope all it worked out now and you are back on the road.

[baloofalo]

You are cleaning the Temp Sensor, not the MAF, in this video.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

you may want to read up a little more on the subject... MAF sensors read air flow based on the resistance of electricity flow through the wires which is dictated by temperature of wires which changes the wires resistance to electricity flow. When oxidation, dirt or oil builds up it can impair affect of air flowing over the wires. After cleaning you can check the sensor by measuring the Ohms impedance to ensure it is within factory specifications.

[SonomaJob]

Yes rumerboyz, I cleaned mine and the light went way.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Nice...

[rumerboyz]

I have a 2005 Ford superduty 5.4 v8 Gas with a code p0174 running Too Lean. It only has 21,450 miles on it. It runs fine with no problems could it be the MAF sensor with this low miles? Any help would be great.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Sorry I don't have any help for you on that one. Good luck chasing it down.

[babika2000]

Hello I wanted to thank for the video that you posted, and helped me with the force back in my engine thank you very much.I used elctronic contact cleaner.

many greetings from new born state Kosova

[lastgreatroadtrip]

I'm really glad it helped... thanks for the nice comment and be sure to check out our website for more good stuff.

[voyager73]

That's one dirty fuckin engine man.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

ha ha ha...  the rig is no garage princess!

[RULI1974]

i sprayed it with carb clnr, and i fuked it up, now it will cost me 250 dlls

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Sorry to hear that... Unfortunately carb cleaner will ruin you MAF sensor. Be sure to use cleaner designed for electronic parts.

[travis281990]

can you use any electric contact cleaner?? do they work as well as MAF sensor cleaners? I just don't want to make a mistake and have to blow 200 bucks on a new sensor. thanks.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

I used Radio Shack contact cleaner... I've also heard the following work:

CC-44 contact cleaner

CRC electronic cleaner

If in doubt check if it says safe for MAF. Avoid brake fluid, carb cleaner or other cleaner not designed for electronic parts.

Good luck to you.

[lovemym16]

just pick up a can of CRC MAP/MAF cleaner from Autozone

[tenminutesgone]

I have had nightmares with a recurrent power loss problem, it was driving me bonkers. Watched your video several times, got some contact cleaner and did the job yesterday in 15 minutes. The difference is night and day. I have my car back, smooth power delivery, no hiccups & it feels right; it's got its guts back.

This video saved me a considerable amount of money, ( at least £130 ) plus I now have the means to sort this prob if it happens again.

Thankyou!

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Glad it help you out... Check the blog for other helpful tips.

[deullist]

This video just saved me over $300. The two wires that they are referring two appear to be clean, but just spraying carb cleaner on the wires and the bulb (the bulb was completely covered), and letting them dry, made my car run!! I still can't believe it. I was so impressed, I did it to my Toyota, and it now runs better too! THANKS SO MUCH!!

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Glad it helped out and saved you a truck load of cash.

[mightynimbus]

Good video,

Just a heads up...

There are also 2 wires that are actually just as important as the exposed bulb you sprayed.

They are down inside the tube (on the MAF) and air gets drawn by them by venturi. they are hard to see but look and you will see.

My MAF on my 4 -Runner is just like that one.

Also good idea to put a film of dialectric grease on O-Ring for reassembly.

Cheers

[lastgreatroadtrip]

Good points...  thanks.

[mikegayner]

Dude, clean your engine bay.

[lastgreatroadtrip]

ha ha... the rig is no garage princess... more of a trail hag :-)

[apollosucker]

"exactly $331 more than it was worth"

ahahaahahha thats best for today thank you :D

[bigdev5000]

thanks for this video

[Kaaawa2000]

A friend's '96 Nissan pickup was stumbling anytime the revs got high. I'd done the regular tuneup items and did the onboard diagnostics. The trouble code 12 indicated the mass air flow sensor was bad, and Checker wanted $332 for it, exactly $331 more than the truck is worth. But he's adding on to his house and it would be nice to have a beater truck for that work.

We saw this video and cleaned the sensor with brake cleaner.

That was it!

The truck works again.

Can't thank you enough!!!

[Masowai]

hahaha "exactly $331 more than it was worth"