I have a dirty MAF sensor that needs cleaning. Should I use the CRC MAF sensor spray cleaner? Or can I just use some $1 brake parts spray cleaner instead so I can save 5 bucks? (Hey, times are tough). Any good or bad experiences with brake parts spray cleaner on electronics, like crusty battery terminals, ect...?
To my knowledge, the MAF sensor is just a heating element -- metal wires -- and cannot be damaged by polar solvents. But it is sensitive to minute amounts of contamination. Anything that doesn't leave residue should work: MAF cleaners, electrical contact cleaner, brake cleaner etc. (NOT carb cleaner). If you can see anything on a piece of clean glass after you spray it, then you shouldn't use it.
disclaimer: I have not done exhaustive testing on every MAF sensor out there, or with every cleaning product out there. I make no guarantee of the results you get. Anything you do to your vehicle is your own responsibility, and done at your own risk.
Thanks, yeah I figured carb cleaner or wd40 could coat it or pose falamability hazards.
I did some further reading, and non-chlorinated brake cleaner leaves a film. So don't use that.
Use the correct MAF cleaner for the job. Brake cleaner may damage the MAF sensor which would make times even tougher.
Sounds good
Stick to the MAF sensor cleaner or you will spend way more than the $5 saved buying a new OEM MAF sensor.
Update: So I got the CRC combo mini-can set(MAF and Throttle Body) from Walmart. I used the MAF like it said and it was real close to the throttle body opening so I decided to tackle that as well. I did like the can said (first disconnect battery) and sprayed inside the throttle body, let saturate a few minuets, spray again, wipe off crap with blue shop towels, repeat 4/5 times to get as much out of the chamber's walls as I can by saturating a shop towel with cleaner and sticking it in, with the throttle flap open, and wiping down the inside as far as my fingers will allow. A 209791 mile 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3 litre V6 gas only. I was shocked and curious as to why there was so much black (oily/gassy/carbon ?) buildup on the opening inside behind the butterfly flap opening of the throttle body. Any ideas how this can happen? It is a long way away from the combustion chamber, maybe some kind of back drafting does that, I don't know. Anyway, After I put it all back together, I waited a half-hour to start the motor. It did not start the first time like it usually does. After the third attempt it did but idled rough and soon smoothed out. I gently reved it to 2000rpm to burn off the inner residual spray. And then proceeded to drive off in it and eventually hit the highway. It has never been done-we bought this van new-and is now so much more powerful and responsive. I will have to wait a while for fuel consumption efficiency results. Thank you all so much for the assistance on this one!
The dirt build up is from fine particulate getting past what was probably an old air filter or leaks in the connection between the air box and the throttle body or both.
the reason is the PCV system. Engine crankcase vapors are scavenged and routed to the intake for them to be burned off. However the lower temperature and turbulence surrounding the throttle causes some of the vapors to condense there and they build up over time. It's not a big deal as long as you clean it once in a while.
Mostly oily gunky with small small traces of dust/dirt. Yeah and the air filter was dirty. I cleaned it and wiped the inside air box out too. The air box has no breaks cracks or other damage but can probly still allow traces of dirt by. It looks flimsy and primitive in design. Will get a new filter soon
Great comment from MMJoe.
Rubbing alcohol comes to mind as well, but I'm not sure if that would be too caustic for this particular item. As in, how sensitive the item (MAF Sensor(s)) actually is.
rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol or IPA is a mild solvent. That's why it's safe for topical use on the human body. The problem with IPA is that it's non-polar so it won't dissolve ionic compounds (like salts for example). That's why it's usually mixed with water (which is polar). I would not use this on your MAF sensor.
Plain old boiling hot soapy water is safe and effective for crusty battery terminals.