How Do I clean my MAF Sensor?
 

I have an 02 Boxter 2.7L. 60k miles. Car is idling rough. Throttle was surging a little. I bought a MAF cleaner took the MAF out and cleaned it. Now the car run's aweful.

Question: Is it OK to hit the element with the MAF Spray? I blew out the holes. I let it dry and still no go? Could the MAF cleaner spray damage the element?

Dont think you are suppose to blow it out, just air dry. If you used any thing other than cleaner specifically for MAF sensors, or damaged it fron to much air pressure it could be toast. The sensor element is pretty sensitive.

Hi

Check out Wayne's book re MAF... And... I used MAF spray on the whole entire part, being careful around the wire element sensor. My MAF was so dirty and it was probably never cleaned. I sprayed the crap out of it and my problem was solved.

Rod

Also, Wayne talks about vacuum issues and the "poor mans" way to test for a vacuum leak....Remove the oil filler cap and see if your idle is the same or does it get worse.

fyi
Rod

I removed the oil filler cap my idle gets way worse I mean considerably worse what does that mean? I tighten it back up and I have a much better idle car runs nice and smooth. It's a closed vacum system so open up the oil filler cap you put one heck of an air leak of course it's going to run worse right? What am I missing?

So I bought the CRC MAF spray cleaner and sprayed the crap out of it. I sprayed it all over. It still looks like there was sum gunk on the top side but spray didnt get it out. I was carful not to get to close I didnt want the high pressure to damage anything. I had what looked like a little circle around the ellement but it looked like dirt was caked on pretty good only on the top side. I let it air dry out for a good couple of hours while I also cleand out my throttle body. I joggled the MAF back and forth and I got some debri to come out so there was something definently in there and yes it was pretty dirty. I also cleaned out the throttle body that looked to be in far worse shape than the MAF. I used 1/2 bottle of carb cleaner to clean out the throttle body. Not sure what fixed it but she's purring like a kitten now. I still have a slight hesitation under hard acceleration. I had that before MAF and Throttle Body cleaning so it may be unrelated. But car is running much smoother now. I also change out plugs, oil 10quarts WOW Mobile 1 0-40 Walmart for 6.52 a quart CHEAP!, and air and cabin filter. So in essence I did most of what constituites the 60k major service. My belt looked like it was in good shape not frayed or anything.

Yes ! if you had a vacum leak your idle may remain the same with the oil filler cap off.. But sounds like you don't have a vacum leak. Glad its running better for you. I also added techron to one tank full when I was having my emmision issues and it seemed to help out.

Rod