legacycentral bbs

so, Ive got a MAF code (probably due to my pre oiled pod filter) and was curious if anybody knew what to clean it with?

brake parts cleaner works for pretty much everything though I dunno about spraying something that high pressure in there.

Do you think a dirty MAF would throw a code?

What code would the ECU flash, if there was a large difference between the MAF, and the MAP readings, if any?

Yes to the first question, but it would have to be really dirty

no clue about the other question though

Use either brake parts cleaner or intake cleaner. If it were me I'd actually remove the MAF out of the housing to clean it. It's very easy to do and only takes about 5-10 minutes.

I'm not sure if a dirty MAF would throw the code for sure or not but I wouldn't be suprised if it did.

Which code did you get, 23 or 49? Did you get the code in D-mode or R-mode? If it's in R-mode then I would clear it from the memory and then see if it comes back. If it comes back I would then remove the MAF, clean it, clear the code again and then if it comes back again I would replace the MAF.

The ECU doesn't compute airflow estimates from manifold pressure, so that's not how it determines whether an airflow signal is abnormal or not. I don't know how it does, but I have a feeling it's just looking for upward or downward spikes, or maybe shorts to any of the rails.

You are getting code 23, right? I suppose that could result from contamination of the sensing element but I don't know for sure. 49 couldn't, though, I don't think.

In any case, if you're using an oiled pod filter than it's probably a good idea to clean the sensor out anyway. I've used brake cleaner to do it with the sensing element still in the aluminum housing. If you remove the sensor from the housing like Matt's describing it might be better to actually just dip the hot wires in a small bowl of isopropanol and swirl them around a little.

Volkswagen people seem to like putting the entire sensor in a Ziploc bag with a bunch of isopropanol in it. They swish it around and then let the sensor dry.

Whatever cleaner you use, make sure you let it dry completely before reinstalling the sensor.

Hrm, would this help mileage at all if my maf is dirty?

I would think so.