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Serviced my car today and thought I'd also clean the MAF as I was starting to get the dreaded flat spot at about 3000 rpm. I chose this cleaning option as you have nothing to loose and the cost was negligable, if it didn't work, it didn't work.
Here is the how to :-
1, Get Haynes manual and follow instructions on removal ...LOL
2, Basically disconnect the hose that runs from the MAF housing towards the engine It's one of those spring clip thingy that is a bit tricky by the way, waterpump / slip-joint pliers are good for this. Once clip is off simply wiggle the corrugated pipe off...
3, Undo the two crosshead screws that secure the MAF housing to the air box and then wiggle the MAF housing off the airbox. You have to overcome the rubber seal thats holding in it...
4, Undo the cable connector to the MAF. One of those tricky spring clip release jobbies that are impossible to explain, but careful use of a flat screwdriver + wiggling will see it come off !
5, You should now be holding the MAF housing. You now need to undo the two torx security screws that hold the MAF in place. See below for piccy. (Note:- I got that bit set from ASDA of all places for about ? 3.00 yes ? 3.00. Ironic isn't it... ASDA + Chavs + Security Bits = Crimewave ! )
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6, Once the security screws are out, more wiggling to get the MAF out of the housing (careful not to damage the 'O' ring seal.)
7, I used some of Helfrauds (Halfords) own "Electrical Contact Spray" and simply sprayed the MAF and goodly amount of spraying I must add, just to make sure. And also sprayed the MAF housing. If you go to Helfrauds and simply ask for "Electrical Contact Spray" someone will guide you to it, much quicker that way.
8, Give things a quick shake to remove the excess spray and leave to dry..... How long ? .... You be the judge, you'll know when it's dry because it will no longer be wet !
9, Once dry, (and in true Haynes style) re-assembly is a reversal of removal, but be careful that the MAF seats into the housing and the "O" ring is ok (my O ring was blue by the way....) and be careful that the MAF housing seats back into the airbox properly and that the rubber seal is ok. Don't forget to re-connect the wiring plug to the MAF by the way.
10, Mess about for ages trying to put back the tricky spring clip thingy.......
That's it, I did take a piccy of the MAF but it turned out so blurred it was useless....
Took the car for a test run afterwards and must say the difference is astounding. Really pulls, think it's better than when I bought it. My MAF was date stamped roughly to the month when my car was built, so it's the original item.
A few thoughts and observations I've got though and perhaps you may be able to add to / answer these ?
i, Do this first before you buy a new MAF, once you've bought the cleaner (?5) it will cost nothing here in after.
ii, My own view is that a MAF is a solid state electronic item and the only thing that could effect it's operation is dirt. I do not understand how they can wear out. Maybe the resistance / resistor part of the circuit ?
iii, I noticed on the body of my MAF there was a space to put what looks like a resistor ? Could this be a potential cheap quick fix ?
If the internal resistor fails has a provision been made to fit one externally ? Does anyone know about this ? It could save lots of us ???'s if it's true.
iv, I've heard that the sensor part of the MAF has a 'special' coating on it ? By cleaning, this coating could be removed and alter the resistance of the unit ? Or... is it just something used to keep it clean(er) ? or is it a myth ?
v, I can live with cleaning the MAF every 5k when I service my car and incorporate it as another service item to do. I think now that I've done this, doing it routinely that the whole process will take less than 10 mins [not including drying timeof course]. I'm a little sceptical though as to the longlivety of it due the amount posts this item (MAF) creates. I intend to keep a close eye on things and update as and when. Has anyone else tried cleaning theirs, has it lasted, made a difference ? As I've said my car is transformed, but for how long ?
vi, My Vag.com has never shown a code on the MAF and I would be interested to know what codes are given when the thing does fail ?
My guess would be it would be of the "implausable signal" type error ?
Does anyone know more about MAF fault codes ?
Serviced my car today and thought I'd also clean the MAF as I was starting to get the dreaded flat spot at about 3000 rpm. I chose this cleaning option as you have nothing to loose and the cost was negligable, if it didn't work, it didn't work.
Here is the how to :-
1, Get Haynes manual and follow instructions on removal ...LOL
2, Basically disconnect the hose that runs from the MAF housing towards the engine It's one of those spring clip thingy that is a bit tricky by the way, waterpump / slip-joint pliers are good for this. Once clip is off simply wiggle the corrugated pipe off...
3, Undo the two crosshead screws that secure the MAF housing to the air box and then wiggle the MAF housing off the airbox. You have to overcome the rubber seal thats holding in it...
4, Undo the cable connector to the MAF. One of those tricky spring clip release jobbies that are impossible to explain, but careful use of a flat screwdriver + wiggling will see it come off !
5, You should now be holding the MAF housing. You now need to undo the two torx security screws that hold the MAF in place. See below for piccy. (Note:- I got that bit set from ASDA of all places for about ? 3.00 yes ? 3.00. Ironic isn't it... ASDA + Chavs + Security Bits = Crimewave ! )
6, Once the security screws are out, more wiggling to get the MAF out of the housing (careful not to damage the 'O' ring seal.)
7, I used some of Helfrauds (Halfords) own "Electrical Contact Spray" and simply sprayed the MAF and goodly amount of spraying I must add, just to make sure. And also sprayed the MAF housing. If you go to Helfrauds and simply ask for "Electrical Contact Spray" someone will guide you to it, much quicker that way.
8, Give things a quick shake to remove the excess spray and leave to dry..... How long ? .... You be the judge, you'll know when it's dry because it will no longer be wet !
9, Once dry, (and in true Haynes style) re-assembly is a reversal of removal, but be careful that the MAF seats into the housing and the "O" ring is ok (my O ring was blue by the way....) and be careful that the MAF housing seats back into the airbox properly and that the rubber seal is ok. Don't forget to re-connect the wiring plug to the MAF by the way.
10, Mess about for ages trying to put back the tricky spring clip thingy.......
That's it, I did take a piccy of the MAF but it turned out so blurred it was useless....
Took the car for a test run afterwards and must say the difference is astounding. Really pulls, think it's better than when I bought it. My MAF was date stamped roughly to the month when my car was built, so it's the original item.
A few thoughts and observations I've got though and perhaps you may be able to add to / answer these ?
i, Do this first before you buy a new MAF, once you've bought the cleaner (?5) it will cost nothing here in after.
ii, My own view is that a MAF is a solid state electronic item and the only thing that could effect it's operation is dirt. I do not understand how they can wear out. Maybe the resistance / resistor part of the circuit ?
iii, I noticed on the body of my MAF there was a space to put what looks like a resistor ? Could this be a potential cheap quick fix ?
If the internal resistor fails has a provision been made to fit one externally ? Does anyone know about this ? It could save lots of us ???'s if it's true.
iv, I've heard that the sensor part of the MAF has a 'special' coating on it ? By cleaning, this coating could be removed and alter the resistance of the unit ? Or... is it just something used to keep it clean(er) ? or is it a myth ?
v, I can live with cleaning the MAF every 5k when I service my car and incorporate it as another service item to do. I think now that I've done this, doing it routinely that the whole process will take less than 10 mins [not including drying timeof course]. I'm a little sceptical though as to the longlivety of it due the amount posts this item (MAF) creates. I intend to keep a close eye on things and update as and when. Has anyone else tried cleaning theirs, has it lasted, made a difference ? As I've said my car is transformed, but for how long ?
vi, My Vag.com has never shown a code on the MAF and I would be interested to know what codes are given when the thing does fail ?
My guess would be it would be of the "implausable signal" type error ?
Does anyone know more about MAF fault codes ?
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