MAF, clean or replace?

Over Clocker · 7 Oct 2007 at 13:17

Hi guys,

I think my MAF has gone on my BMW 320i (petrol).

Question is, is it possible to clean it with anything at all, or does it have to be replaced?

Cheers guys,

Mal

fonzee · 7 Oct 2007 at 13:26

clean it first... carb cleaner will do. if it sorts it, keep, if it doesnt, new MAF time

DannyW · 7 Oct 2007 at 13:42

carb cleaner or halfords electrical contact cleaner, which ever is cheapest, make sure you let it dry properly before refitting.

dalin80 · 7 Oct 2007 at 17:26

cleaning a maf has never worked for us, in my experience 9/10 failures are the resistors failing rather then deposits on the element.

Lopéz · 7 Oct 2007 at 17:28

Depends what's wrong with it and what sort it is. If the hotwire is dirty then a blast of carb cleaner often sorts it.

[TW]Fox · 7 Oct 2007 at 19:54

Whats the symptoms?

Matt82 · 7 Oct 2007 at 19:55

well if its gone, surely cleaning it wont fix it

Over Clocker · 7 Oct 2007 at 21:13

Seems to lack ooopmh under 3000rpm. Unplugged the MAF and seems much better.
I'll try clean it and see!!

Lopéz · 7 Oct 2007 at 21:19

Matt82 said:
well if its gone, surely cleaning it wont fix it

Depends, sometimes they just get dirty and the car lacks urgency. A clean can sort it.

BigglesPiP · 7 Oct 2007 at 21:22

Most failures I've seen are thermal damage to the element when moisture hits it, too many oil sponge filters round here.

DannyW · 7 Oct 2007 at 21:32

I put a K&N panel filter on my focus, messed up the MAF within days but a quick clean with electrical cleaner and all was well again.

pinkaardvark · 7 Oct 2007 at 22:57

have K&N Cones on both the household V6's for at least 50k on each without problem. I guess if you don't follow the instructions and overoil/don't let it dry you could see problems though.