MAF Sensor covered in oil! (Anyone oiling their air filters should read)

[ArizonaG35]

So I did the full tune up this week as the G was running slightly sluggish and it was due for a bit of preventative maintenence. At first I was certain that she was running in top shape with peak performance however, after three days of driving her, I still felt like there was something holding her back from her full potential. It was a very slight feeling, but it just felt like it didn't have as much "hitch in her giddyup" as she should.

After replacing the Fujita air filters; Getting a fresh batch of Royal Purple 5w30; OEM filter; transmission flush & Fill; Differential Gear servicing w/ Royal Purple 75 weight gear oil; new spark plugs; and a complete fuel injection cleaning she should have run like a new car, but she didn't.

I remembered that about 6 months ago, when I cleaned the Fujita air filters, I used the K&N cleaning kit with the spray oil solution. I DID NOT over oil the filters, but later learned that Fujita Filters do not require any oil... they simply need to be cleaned with dish soap and dried in the sun. Many aftermarket air filters do require oil though. (Read the manufacturers specifications for your particular application)

This morning I removed the engine cover and the the MAF sensors from the short ram intake only to find the MAF sensored splattered and soaked with oil from the previous K&N cleaning debocle. This was obviously inhibiting the MAF from reading correctly and causing her to run super rich.

I took the wifes truck to the local checker store and bought a can of CRC MAF sensor cleaner. I gave both MAF's a thorough cleaning (making sure not to touch them) and re-installed after they dried. The can of CRC MAF clener claims to gain a "Guaranteed" 4-9 hp... Not sure if I totally believe that, but I do know that the beast has been unleashed in the G! The difference was immediately noticable that the engine is running at peak performance and smooth as a G should be!

For those of you who oil their filters and even those of you who don't, I recommend this cleaning to ensure an accurate MAF performance. Please be careful when removing/re-installing the MAF to ensure that you do not touch, damage or even look at the MAF in a strange way as this may result in a costly replacement.

All in all, this was a 1 wrench project that took about 10-15 minutes and was well worth the effort to clean the MAF's!

Happy G-ing!

Dave


Modified by ArizonaG35 at 3:48 PM 11/8/2008

[Jacko3]

Really nice! Thanks for the info.

The oil issue gets me scared. So, I think I will be buying a brand new JWT Pop Charger every 6 months to be sure I don't have to deal with any MAF sensors. the question is, what do i do with the old and washed JWT Pop chargers i may build up at home? I may sell them for $10 - $15 so long as the buyer oils the pop chargers themself.


Modified by Jacko3 at 6:31 PM 11/8/2008

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Thanks Dave,

Hey does anyone know if the JWT Pop Charger Takes oil?

DJ

[Jacko3]

Yes, it needs to be oiled.

[gwoods]

you should clean your throttle bodies too!!

[tollboothwilley]

thanks for the heads up Dave

you need to be careful when you oil your filters... I make sure to dab with a cloth rag after i'm done to ensure that there isn't excess oil on it.

Do you just spray the can of cleaner directly on the MAF?

[toddnos]

Do you just spray the can of cleaner directly on the MAF?

yep, i bought a can of this stuff last month. i have a drop in K&N and it gets oiled. it gets sprayed directly on the MAF. it evaporates quickly, and is made to clean electric componants.

[Sentientbydesign]

Really nice! Thanks for the info.

The oil issue gets me scared. So, I think I will be buying a brand new JWT Pop Charger every 6 months to be sure I don't have to deal with any MAF sensors. the question is, what do i do with the old and washed JWT Pop chargers i may build up at home? I may sell them for $10 - $15 so long as the buyer oils the pop chargers themself.

Modified by Jacko3 at 6:31 PM 11/8/2008

First check with AEM to see if they sell a dry-flow that will fit your pop charger. They require no oil and have higher cleaning efficiency that the cotton gauze BS that everyone else uses. I recently spoke to a tuning shop and they liked the AEM as well. My wife has had one on her car since We got it a year ago and we haven't cleaned it yet because it doesn't build up dust, it just filters it (like a filter is supposed to do).