2001 Toyota Corolla MAF question

[slodave]

Hi!

The gas mileage in my Toyota has been going down over the last year and I'm getting pissed. The reserve light came on tonight and I only show 260 miles on the tripometer. There have been numerous threads out there suggesting that the MAF is dirty and can contribute to bad mileage. I finally removed what I believe to be the MAF and it looks dirty. The 'fix', is to clean it with brake cleaner, without touching the little wires.

So, do I flood the entire thing? Spray into the two holes? I see two possible wires...
These...


And these...


Crap, I'm out of brake cleaner... This the preferred way or how do I clean this thing?

Thanks!!

[porsche4life]

Switch to Carb cleaner.


Soak that bad boy in carb cleaner. Let crap run off. Repeat.

[slodave]

I used Nitro Cleaner for my RC car .

I visit with KevinP73 tomorrow, I'm sure he's got some good stuff lying around. Will soak it then, if needed.

I swear the car started up and ran smoother at idle after the reinstall.

[Heel n Toe]

Dave, another thing that's making your mileage deteriorate is that worthless ethanol that is being added everywhere.

[slodave]

Yes, but not like what I'm seeing! I do have the CEL light on. But the code says that the cat is going. After a lot of reading, yes, the cat should be on its last legs, but when the car was smogged last year, it passed with pretty good numbers. I had the CEL issue then, but was able to get the OBDII reset and the necessary sensors to come back with a good reading. The CEL light came on about a week after the test again.

Web reading suggests to replace the rear O2 sensor first, did that before the smog check. Other threads suggested that the MAF sensor could also cause the P0420 code as well. I just don't want to shell out $1200.- for a new exhaust system from Toyota!

Oh, I bought new spark plugs, but they have been sitting in the box for the last 6 months . At least I am assured that they won't be wearing out!

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by slodave

....the code says that the cat is going......I just don't want to shell out $1200.- for a new exhaust system from Toyota!

A whole system? If the catalytic converter is the only part that needs replacing, can't you just nab one from a wrecking yard and have it installed?

Originally Posted by slodave

Oh, I bought new spark plugs, but they have been sitting in the box for the last 6 months . At least I am assured that they won't be wearing out!

Even if you don't install 'em, they're good for at least a 5 MPG increase on a Corolla.

But they have to be in the trunk... not in your garage.

[Heel n Toe]

Speaking of the trunk... did you ever find the rolling, clunking bottle sound that seemed to be coming from the trunk?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

A whole system? If the catalytic converter is the only part that needs replacing, can't you just nab one from a wrecking yard and have it installed?



Even if you don't install 'em, they're good for at least a 5 MPG increase on a Corolla.

But they have to be in the trunk... not in your garage.

No cats available. It's one of those Kali CARB issues. You can't leaglly buy a used cat here. Yes, I would have to walk out of the Toyota dealer with the entire assembly, minus the exhaust headers. Cali has a 3 way cat that the other states do not have as well. There is a company that sells aftermarket cats in New York, but it's illegal to sell/ship them here. They are also 2 way cats and would not work with the OBDII in my Cali Toyota .

I'm tempted to do the CARS thing. I can get a new Toyota Corolla for $10,000.-. I don't want to make payments for the next five years though. I would also be eligible to write the sales tax off.

Ironically, they are in the trunk!

No, the clunk is still there. I have moved things around and it is in a different place. I need to empty the trunk out tomorrow and make room for recyclables, I find the noise or invest in a new pair of shocks for the rear . Another reason to trade the car in.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by slodave

No, the clunk is still there. I have moved things around and it is in a different place. I need to empty the trunk out tomorrow and make room for recyclables, I find the noise or invest in a new pair of shocks for the rear . Another reason to trade the car in.

Check under the rear seat.

Also, make sure nothing is working loose in the rear suspension... might be time to have the rear alignment checked, and you can ask the tech to look for problems while he's under there.

That sucks about the California CC thing. Gah.

[porsche4life]

Is that 10k for a new one before or after the CARS rebate? I think either way I would seriously be looking into it. You are going to have to get a new dd soon or dink a crapload of money into this one. New corolla FTW

[slodave]

10k after the CARS rebate and a couple of dealer rebates. If the car was 10K and then apply the rebates... No brainer! Would have rolled home in new one today! Heck, I woulda dumped sugar in the gas tank to boot!

I have to talk this over with my dad. I take on a 5 year loan (ideally), but at the moment I have no loans and am rather happy about that. Even though I can write the sales tax off, it would help me on this years taxes, so no benefit there. I believe that I can walk out of the dealer without a down payment with my credit. I did just spend $400 on new tires though.

[Heel n Toe]

I thought that you had to have a car that is only rated at 18 MPG to participate in the CARS program... and trade it in on one that is rated 4+ MPG higher.

Surely your Corolla is rated higher than 18, Dave.

CARS program = "Cash for Clunkers," right?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

I thought that you had to have a car that is only rated at 18 MPG to participate in the CARS program... and trade it in on one that is rated 4+ MPG higher.

Surely your Corolla is rated higher than 18, Dave.

CARS program = "Cash for Clunkers," right?

It should be above 18MPG, I don't think it is at the moment. Maybe I shouldn't have cleaned the MAF

Yes, CARS = Cash for Clunkers.
CARS actually = Car Allowance Rebate System

Anyway, I'm frustrated and venting. I have a 9 year old car that is dirtier (pollution) than my 230 odd thousand mile, never been touched 1984 911 at the moment. The fact that I may have to invest $1200 in a car that was worth $4500 a few months ago, aggravates me as well. Oh, the potential for suspension work doesn't help either.

[porsche4life]

With the work that is needed you might go check with a dealer and see if it is eligible. I mean is this thing worth sinking another 2500 into? How many miles are on it? You won't be able to get into a new Corolla for 10k anytime again I would bet.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Dave, in regards to the MAF, go buy a can of MAF cleaner. Harsher cleaners can ruin the sensitive element or leave deposits on it's surface, either one can lead to a pricey new MAF. Whatever you do, DON'T TOUCH IT. Just spray the hell out of it.

Can't you just order a used Corolla cat/exhaust off of Ebay or car-part.com? I mean seriously, how will anyone know? I doubt they check the cat PN.

Sorry about your luck, but you're not eligible for the CARS program. Your car has to get less than 18 MPG combined per fueleconomy.gov. Your car gets between 27 and 31 depending on transmission. Doh! My in-laws wanted to trade in a POS Grand Prix that one of their kids used to drive, but it came in at 21 MPG. Really, how many semi-modern cars get worse than 18 MPG?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Dave, in regards to the MAF, go buy a can of MAF cleaner. Harsher cleaners can ruin the sensitive element or leave deposits on it's surface, either one can lead to a pricey new MAF. Whatever you do, DON'T TOUCH IT. Just spray the hell out of it.

Can't you just order a used Corolla cat/exhaust off of Ebay or car-part.com? I mean seriously, how will anyone know? I doubt they check the cat PN.

Sorry about your luck, but you're not eligible for the CARS program. Your car has to get less than 18 MPG combined per fueleconomy.gov. Your car gets between 27 and 31 depending on transmission. Doh! My in-laws wanted to trade in a POS Grand Prix that one of their kids used to drive, but it came in at 21 MPG. Really, how many semi-modern cars get worse than 18 MPG?

Thanks, I'll stop by an auto parts store.

RE cat: It would be a crap shoot. It needs to be a 3 way Cali cat. I guess I could try.

By my estimates, I'm getting about 23 MPG right now and going down hill...

I realize I'm not eligible - although the 911 is -, just pissed at my Toyota and the good deals going around right now.