I’d been having problems with oil leaking from the turbo in my PB Challenger and had also noticed a significant decrease in fuel economy. This was coupled with an increase in black smoke blowing from my exhaust under moderate to light loads. In a previous post, you can read all about my turbo replacement, but I’d also been told that cleaning the MAF sensor might also make some difference in regards to fuel economy and black smoke. MAF stands for Mass Air Flow. So the sensor sits between your air filter and your turbo and detects the temperature, density and quantity of air flowing into the engine. The computer then calculates the correct balance of fuel and air to achieve maximum efficiency. However because the MAF sensor sits in the air-flow, and your air filter isn’t perfect, after a time it gets dirty. Once it’s dirty it can give inaccurate readings to the computer. What you’ll notice if you have a dirty MAF sensor is a decrease in fuel efficiency and more black smoke in your exhaust.

Luckily cleaning it is very simple. But you do need to take care. The sensor itself is very easy to locate. Open the bonnet and locate the turbo and the air filter. Between the two is a fat pipe that has a plug with electric cables running to it. Removing it is quite simple. There are a couple of screws that you remove. Then pull it out. You can unplug the electric cables as well. Take great care once this is removed. You don’t want to drop anything down the hole that is left behind. There is nothing between the MAF Sensor and the turbo. Anything you drop in there will go straight into the turbo and the engine. They’re not designed for handling screws and nuts and screw drivers so keep those kinds of things out. Mine looked like this. Take a look at the tiny bulb thing. That’s the temperature sensor. It’s completely covered in dust, as is the whole device. Cleaning the MAF Sensor is very easy. But you need to use the correct stuff. I went to Supercheap Autos and purchased some CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner.

Following the instructions on this, I was able to clean the MAF Sensor quickly and easily. Give it a good squirt all over, inside and out… Afterwards it looked like this: Take a look at that little bulb thing. air pistol cleaningThat’s more what it’s supposed to look like! air duct cleaning training So the big question is, “What difference did it make?” where to buy alen air purifiers in canadaWell before I did this, I had people behind me commenting on how much smoke i was blowing under only very minor load. Like going up a hill, or taking off from lights. My fuel efficiency was down to about 450mks on a full tank of fuel (as reported on the dash). And towing our camper trailer seemed much harder than I thought it should be.

After the turbo replacement AND the MAF Sensor clean, towning the camper is much better, I have almost no black smoke even under reasonable load and last time I filled my tank it said I had 620kms in it. Most of our driving is around the city… So did it make a difference? Yeah it really did! What made the most difference? Unfortunately I don’t know because I cleaned the MAF Sensor pretty much the same day they replaced the turbo. But my neighbour borrowed my MAF Sensor cleaner to clean the one on his Navara and he said that it made the world of difference. We’ll be cleaning our MAF sensors regularly from now on. Would I recommend that you do it yourself? Only if you’re a handy person. It’s not a difficult job but with any mechanical activity on your car, you do it at your own risk. Mass air flow sensors and housing and fuel injected gasoline enginesBoth throttle body and multi-port More about this item... The CRC MAF and Throttle Body Mass Air Flow Meter kit is specifically developed to clean sensors.

It is designed with advanced Cozol technology for increased horsepower and MPG. This air sensor single-use twin pack cleans gum and varnish from the throttle valves and body for easier starting. It also improves air/fuel ratio and removes harmful deposits. CRC MAF and Throttle Body Single-Use Twin Pack, 1 Kit: Cleans mass air flow sensors and housing for fuel-injected gasoline engines (both throttle body and multi-port) Performance twin pack Improves air/fuel ratio Increases MPG Eliminates hesitation Removes harmful deposits Dries fast Instant horse power gain in under 20 minutes Mass flow meter, 1 kit, includes sensor cleaner and throttle body and air intake cleanerSpecifications Color: Multicolor Fabric Content: 100% Multi Vehicle Type: Multicolor ,  Multi Compatible Devices: Car Material: Multi Manufacturer Part Number: 05111 Container Type: TRAY IN WRAP Model: 5111 Fuel Type: Gasoline Brand: CRC Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 4.25 x 2.01 x 5.50 Inches Auto & Tires Auto & Tires Auto Parts Auto & Tires Auto Parts Additional Auto Replacement Parts

Age 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and older Gender Male Female Verified purchaser This is a CRC product used to clean (aerosol style) the Mass Air Flow Sensor and the Throttle Body. There are two separate products because the MAF Sensor has to be a solvent that doesn't harm plastics. Like all CRC products I have used this is excellent. The two-pack approach is great and I was able to clean two cars with it. My cars were not that dirty despite both having over 200k miles. With a really dirty car maybe the pack will only clean one car. Just had to drive to my local Walmart to pick up Great! Yes (0) No (0)  Report Yes (0) No (0) Verified purchaser I would say this definitely made a difference for me but it is not anything magical. Yes (3) No (0)  Report Yes (3) No (0) Thank you for your feedback! We are very glad to hear you like the product! Verified purchaser Awesome product! Solved my intermittent revving problem in 07 Mustang GT California Special Yes (0) No (0)  Report Yes (0) No (0) Verified purchaser