MAF Sensor/ Air Filter question

[bigdog76]

I replaced my MAF a few years back after having a K&N filter in there that I though messed it up. I bought a used one when I replaced it and that one lasted for quite a while. Well about two months back that one went out and then I bought another used one.

The guy I bought it from said theses cars do not like heat on the MAF and they are notorious for that if the Air Filter is not changed regularly he recommended changing it everytime I did an oil change.

I do my oil changes every 6,000 miles and I decided to slap a new air filter in there. I pulled the old one out it was alittle dirty but with only 6,000 miles on it it wasnt to bad. I am kinda skeptical now does this play a big part on the MAF or should I just replace the air filter each time I do the oil change for piece of mine.

I know the concensious is going to be that I buy a new MAF I would if I could but I just think it will fail to at some point and didnt want to shell out $500 for it. I have gotten by 6 years on $300 worth of used ones.

What is anyones take on this MAF?

[qship96]

"6 years for $300 worth of used ones" AND a headache everytime a old tired used one fails and leaves you stranded, I assume?

Brand new factory installed MAF lasted almost 13 years on my Q- when it failed, I spent the $450 on a brand new one from Scottsdale Infiniti. $450 divided by 13 years is only $35/year......cheaper than what you are doing without the frequent headaches!!!!! Do it once, by doing it correctly.

[SanCarlosQ45]

From what it sounds like you are using the oiled K&N filter in the stock air box? The one thing people on this forum mention is that the oil is carried along with the air, thus contacting the surface of the sensor which may or may not interfere with the readings; I am not entirely sure whether this is true or not. I cant imagine that it would kill a MAF sensor, but rather it is the age of the unit along with heat that will stress the internal circuit board and solder joints that will kill it.

I am using the Oiled K&N filter and have not had any noticeable issues related to this. I could be wrong as I don't have any connections to a pristine example, but that shouldn't discount my experience.

It is recommended that if you are going back to paper filters then you should replace it ~ every year, or less depending on the conditions where you live (construction, dusty, how mcuh and where you drive).

[maxnix]

K&N oiled element filter media take a little while to gradually bring the hot wire element to its knees. One cleaning might get a little more life out of it, but a new one should be in the budget.

Very simple to understand why oil on a hot wire sensor is not a good idea.

Annual changes of the OEM one should be sufficient unless one drives in a particularly contaminated environment or a lot of miles annually (>12K).