Mass Air Flow Sensor Maintenance

The MAF is in the air intake path after the air cleaner and before the intake. There is not really any maintenance you can do for it. If you check your PCV path you may find excessive oil buildup in your intake path from crankcase vapors. I can say from experience that the Jeep I4 and I6 engines had this issue for many years. The residue from the vapors would settle all along the intake path, which I would clean out whenever I replaced the air filter. Be careful which type of cleaner you use as some may damage or destroy what you were trying to clean.

If it was an electrical failure then you will have to take another path. It could just be a crappy part.

The CrC MAS cleaner is the best option to use. if you take the time to watch the CrC info-mercial, they go 100% in teaching all how to avoid the costly repairs by doing a simple yearly cleaning process. Worth its' weight in gold. I suggest watching this video asap. 8-) Maximo

Thanks for both your answers, I guess it doesn't really have much to do with gas, but more with the air intake. I have to confess I am not too mechanically inclined, but I will definitely get some of that spray or better yet, make sure the mechanic that changes my air filter and oil, uses it the next time. It can be an expensive little bugger.

Does your car not go into limp home mode before it shuts down for a MAF problem? Was she behaving sluggishly before she quit on you?

No real notice before it happened. It just died on the highway. Then it would start and keep running if I kept my foot on the gas, but would die as soon as I took my foot off the gas to shift into drive. It gasped a little then died each time.

This is more than a dirty MAF problem.....a failing MAF will give much more warning than yo0u have.

Either the MAF sensing element failed (broken wiring for example) , or it is something else. Possibly the CPS?

We did recently have a broken windshield replaced last week that caused an issue with our electronic system. Didn't think there was a connection, but I suppose it is possible something got into the air intake.

The symptoms sound like mass airflow restriction, moreso than a sensor signal.

Maybe you should sell it off and get a Chevy Cavalier. We at CR4 have come to be pretty familiar with that little bundle of engineering mastery.

Did you get given the old part back?

This does not sound like a MAF problem, usually any engine will run, but with reduced power........

Most cars nowadays can have just the element replaced for far less money....before it was the complete unit - expensive.

I have had several replaced over the years, I was once towing a caravan through the mountains of northern Italy, hill starting was really difficult till it was replaced!! But I managed it....

I scanned my 3.8 gm engine and had the MAF sensor code come up. I bought a MAF sensor on E-bay that is guaranteed for life for $39. I haven't tried out the warranty yet but I'm up and running. I feel that the biggest down fall of MAF sensors is air filter maintenence but mostly time. careful with the spray cleaner.

My experience of failing Maf is as has been said, much reduced power, but certainly driveable, not only to 'get you home,' but for a few months 'til I found out what the problem was!

In fact the test for it was this: disconnect it, and all power is restored! but don't drive it like this for long.

VW caravelle btw

cnc jim

Hi LakeGrl,

If it is a hot wire MAF sensor they have a self cleaning cycle which occurs periodically to burn the wire clean, it is possible that it just reached the end of its life, or a connection may have broken.

If you can have the original MAF diagnosed to find what failed that may give you a better clue as to the cause.

Thanks again for the recent comments. I found this info on the mass air flow sensor for the Mazda Tribute http://www.samarins.com/glossary/airflow_sensor.html. I will definitely use the spray and try to make sure the air filter is connected correctly after my next service appt. It was the MFS sensor, as I saw the old part with the gunk stuck on the wire. As I think back, we did get an engine check light after the windshield replacement, but thought it was part of the issue with the wiring as it only came on once. Sometimes it would come on if the gas cap was not on correctly. It may have been a warning that the sensor was failing. Oh well, we are looking for a replacement vehicle as the mileage is getting high :) Thanks again for all of the info. I will keep you posted on the next vehicle. Looking at a Chevy Traverse right now.

I you enjoying participating in these forums you should get yourself a Chev Cavalier.

Very funny:) I actually traded the car in on a new Chevy - was sad to see the Tribbie go, but I am sure that someone is driving her around still.

If anyone wants to learn more about how they work (its really quite simple), please look at the following website:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_sensor

Thanks for the link, very interesting.