How can you clean the air flow sensor

Every car enthusiast who understands the design of cars knows what an air flow sensor is and what functions it performs. However, not every motorist has an idea of how to clean the mass air flow sensor with your own hands and what is needed for this. In this article we will talk in detail about the cleaning process and the choice of substance for this purpose.

How to check for a faulty air flow sensor?

The parameters transmitted by the mass air flow sensor play a large role in the balanced formation of the combustible mixture. Accordingly, breakdowns associated with the operation of the air sensor can lead to disruption of the functionality of the system as a whole. In some cases, incorrect operation of the sensor may make it impossible to start the engine.

Let's look at the signs by which you can determine if the mass air flow sensor has failed:

the Check Engine light comes on on the dashboard;
increased fuel consumption;
decrease in the level of power and traction of the car;
decrease in dynamics with increasing car speed;
Difficulty starting the engine or the impossibility of starting it at all;
in idling mode, the unit speed will float.

Design and designation of mass air flow sensor elements
Of course, such malfunctions indicate not only a malfunction of the mass air flow sensor, but also other failures. Therefore, a car enthusiast should know how to correctly determine the incorrect operation of the regulator. To carry out diagnostics, there are several options, the simplest of which is to turn off the power from the mass air flow sensor while the engine is running.

After the power is turned off, the machine control unit begins to operate in emergency mode; in this case, the dosage of gasoline, diesel or gas is carried out according to the readings received from the throttle. Note that in this case the idle speed may begin to increase to 1500, but in some injection engines the speed does not increase. When the mass air flow sensor is disabled, you need to drive the car. If engine performance has improved, the mass air flow sensor will need to be replaced or cleaned.

Features of application

The nuances are determined by the brand of car that has a mass air flow sensor. In particular, the choice of installation tools used to unscrew the fasteners depends on this.

You should never use MAF cleaner while the engine is running or the ignition is on. This can cause serious damage to the sensor, so it should only be disconnected when there is no current in the system.

Before spraying, place the sensor on a clean towel. Cleaning must be done so as not to touch any of the sensitive elements with the nozzle of the aerosol head.

To improve the cleaning effect, it is recommended to pre-wash the surface of the air flow sensor. To do this, place the unit in a plastic bag filled with isopropyl alcohol and shake vigorously several times. After drying, apply mass air flow sensor cleaner.

Which cleaner should you choose?

If you decide to clean the mass air flow sensor yourself, you need to choose the right product:

Liqui Moly. To clean the regulator, you can use Liqui Moly liquid. Liqui Moly is known for all its automotive products. Products from the manufacturer Liqui Moly are characterized by high quality, as well as a considerable price. The liquid mass air flow sensor cleaner Liqui Moly is an effective product in practice. As practice and reviews from car enthusiasts show, Liqui Moly allows you to effectively get rid of contaminants and if the air sensor is in working condition, after cleaning it can work for a long time. This product is suitable for both petrol and diesel units. The cost of Liqui Moly today is about 12 USD. e.
Alcohol. You can clean the air sensor the old fashioned way - using alcohol. Alcohol allows you to effectively break down dirt and blockages. The use of alcohol was relevant twenty years ago; today this method is rarely used. To deceive the car owner and bill him for flushing the regulator with a cleaning agent. This practice occurs frequently at our service stations.
Liquid for cleaning carburetors. One cheap option to clean the device is to use carburetor cleaner. The cost of one cylinder is about 1.2 dollars. If you believe the reviews of car enthusiasts, this analogue is no less effective than Liqui Moly, while its cost is ten times lower.
"Liquid Key" Also a domestic product, sold in the form of a spray. The product is intended to rid various vehicle components and assemblies of frozen contaminants.
WD-40. Many motorists have such a tool. In practice, WD-40 has long shown its effectiveness, so many car enthusiasts use it for these purposes. It can also be used to clean the air sensor (video author - Pavel Ksenon).

Compound

Designed to effectively remove oil, dirt, small fabric fibers and dust from the sensor without damaging it. The main components of MAF sensor cleaners are:

Hexane, or its rapidly evaporating derivatives.
An alcohol-based solvent (usually 91 percent isopropyl alcohol).
Special additives that manufacturers (the main one is the Liqui Moly trademark) use to protect their copyrights. They mainly affect smell and density.
Carbon dioxide as a retardant for the composition in a can.

The mixture is usually sold in the form of an aerosol, so the substances must be highly dispersed, not irritate the skin and not have a harmful effect on the environment. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the most commonly used compounds (for example, Luftmassensensor-Reiniger from Liqui Moli) are:

Density, kg/m 3 - 680...720.
Acid number – 27…29.
Ignition temperature, º C – not less than 250.

Cleaning the sensor yourself

How to clean the air flow sensor at home?

The process is considered using the example of a VAZ 2110 car:

Turn off the ignition and disconnect the connector from the regulator. It is necessary to dismantle the pipe; to do this, use a wrench to unscrew the bolt or two bolts securing the mass air flow sensor to the air filter housing. The principle of turning off the regulator may vary depending on the car model.
The regulator must be removed from the hose, otherwise flushing the mass air flow sensor will be ineffective. To dismantle the device from a VAZ car, you will need an asterisk key of the appropriate size. You will need to unscrew the screws, after which you can remove the regulator.
It happens that there is an oil coating on the device, so it is necessary to make everything as clean as possible. To clean the regulator from deposits, you can use carburetor cleaning fluid. You can also use a special Liqui Moly cleaning agent, it all depends on your financial capabilities. But in fact, there is practically no difference between these liquids. On the film located inside, you can see several sensors made in the form of wire; they are fixed using a special resin. Using carburetor cleaner or any other product, carefully spray this sensitive component. Do this carefully so as not to damage the film. Wait a few minutes until the liquid dries and evaporates. Depending on the amount of contamination, the procedure can be repeated several times. To make the product evaporate faster, you can use a compressor or pump. It is important to remember that a lot of pressure is not required for purging; the device just needs to be dried.

Instructions for washing the mass air flow sensor

Cleaning the flow meter can be done in a garage; there is nothing complicated about it.

Depending on the car model, the procedure for removing the sensor can be carried out in different ways; consider an example of cleaning with a domestic “Ten”:

First, you should turn off the ignition and, just in case, reset the battery terminal. Open the hood and find the mass air flow sensor, then disconnect the connector from it. There is a pipe connected to the flow meter; it must be disconnected. Using a wrench, you need to unscrew the screw that secures the device to the air filter, or rather, to its housing.
The flow meter itself is removed from the corrugation; in the case of the “ten”, an asterisk wrench is required to dismantle the sensor. Use it to unscrew the screws and then remove the device from the seat.
If, after removal, you notice that there is an oil deposit on the device, you will need to rid the case of this. Any product from those described above is suitable for cleansing. As practice shows, there is no fundamental difference between these means.
On the sensitive element, usually made in the form of a film, there are several controllers; they are made in the form of a wire and mounted on resin. Using the same cleaning agent, you will need to carefully, not in abundance, spray it on the sensitive element. At this stage, you should act as carefully as possible, since there is a possibility of damage to the film. After the sensitive part has been treated, you need to wait a little until the product takes effect. If there is a lot of contamination, then it may make sense to repeat this procedure once or twice. In order to ensure faster evaporation of the substance, you can use a pump or compressor device. But keep in mind that too much pressure can destroy the sensitive component, so don't overdo it.

What kind of device is this?

Such an element is present in any modern car, since the era of carburetor engines has passed and an electronic control unit (ECU), or controller in other words, is responsible for many operations. Many drivers even call him “the brain.”

The mass air flow sensor is used to measure the amount of air supplied to the engine. However, this device does not measure its volume, but only determines how much mass passes per unit of time, sending data to the ECU. In turn, the controller “understands” how much air has entered the cylinders at each moment of time, and depending on this, adjusts the fuel supply. As a result, the engine runs smoothly and without interruption.

Beginners may be interested not only in whether the mass air flow sensor can be cleaned, but, in fact, where it is located. Typically, this device is located in the area between the air filter housing and the pipe that goes to the throttle valve. It is equipped not only with gasoline, but also with diesel power units.

When is it time to clean?

But regardless of the type of sensor, over time it begins to function incorrectly due to contamination - the platinum measuring elements become covered with dust. Therefore, the question of how to clean the mass air flow sensor will always be relevant.

Why does this happen? The main reason for sensor contamination lies on the surface - the unsatisfactory condition of the air filter. If the filter element is of poor build quality, then it is not able to trap microscopic particles of dirt and dust that settle on the sensing element of the mass flow sensor.

As a result, the device is not able to accurately measure the amount of air and sends incorrect data to the ECU. It's not hard to imagine what this might lead to. Here we gradually approach some characteristic signs that may indicate that the sensor is clogged and needs to be cleaned:

The need to clean the mass air flow sensor on a VAZ or other cars arises when the engine idles intermittently, in some cases they are too high - up to 1500.
The car may jerk and have difficulty accelerating.
Sometimes the engine does not start at all.
Increased fuel consumption - sometimes up to 15 liters per 10 km.
Check Engine light on the dashboard.

However, the above signs do not always accurately indicate contamination of the air flow sensor. A variety of situations may arise, and among them is one when the sensor itself is fine, but the fault lies in the hose that connects the device to the module.

In other words, although there are many obvious signs that a particular part of the car is faulty, they can indicate any other problem.

Replacement

It is not difficult to replace the mass air flow sensor with your own hands, even if you do not have any special skills in car repair. Having checked the condition of the device and determined that cleaning will not help, all that remains is to replace it.

Place the car on a level surface, lift the hood and remove the negative terminal from the battery.
Disconnect the sensor connector. We have already talked about its location, so there will be no problems with the search.
Using a screwdriver, remove the clamping bolt of the clamp that secures the corrugation to the mass air flow sensor.
The corrugation is removed.
Using a 10mm wrench, unscrew the two bolts that hold the sensor to the air filter housing.
After removing the failed oxygen sensor, install a new regulator in its place.
Screw back a couple of bolts, secure the corrugation and secure it with a clamp.
Reconnect the connector and return the negative terminal to the battery.

If everything is done correctly and the breakdown is correctly identified, then the engine will return to its previous performance and the error signal on the dashboard will disappear.

Replacing the device

To finally check the result of the repair, go out onto the road, do a test drive and be sure to try to press the gas pedal sharply. If the dynamics and power become the same as before the problems arose, you did everything correctly, and it was the mass air flow sensor that was the culprit of the malfunction.

Every vehicle owner who takes good care of his car and is interested in it knows very well what a mass air flow sensor, or MAF, is. Also, many car enthusiasts know what functions this device performs. At the same time, not every driver knows how to clean the mass air flow sensor. What exactly is this detail and what is its role? This question is relevant for many beginners.

Sensor check

To accurately verify that the sensor is faulty and understand whether the mass air flow sensor on the VAZ-2114 needs to be cleaned or not, whether it needs cleaning or whether you will have to go to the store for a new mass air flow sensor, you will need a multimeter known to all radio amateurs:

The device is switched to voltage measurement mode (voltmeter).
Set the limit to 2 V.
There are two wires in the sensor connector - yellow (it goes to the ECU) and green (connects to ground).
The voltage is measured between these wires, and only the ignition should be turned on.
Now all that remains is to look at the instrument readings.

If the measurement result is 0.99-0.02, the sensor is working. If the upper threshold is exceeded to 0.03, the mass air flow sensor needs cleaning and the sooner the better. In the case when the measurements are less than the lower limit (0.95) or the upper limit is very high (0.05), then the chances of a successful outcome are 50/50. That is, either cleaning will help and the sensor will function properly again, or you need to buy a new device.

In addition to this, you can understand whether to clean the mass air flow sensor on a VAZ-2110 or not by using one more method when you don’t have a multimeter at hand. Disconnect the sensor, then start the engine, raise the speed to 2000 and drive for a while. If at this moment there are obvious changes, the car has become more dynamic, then the sensor is definitely dirty.

Comments and reviews

At idle it stalls and jerks when driving

Hello! VAZ 2115, 1.6 l, injection mileage 40 t.km. a year ago, when starting from 1500 rpm, it doesn’t troit, after 5 minutes it troits. I restarted it, it doesn’t troit. In the urban cycle, it’s normal. On the highway 90-110, when I release the gas, it troits. Restarts and normal acceleration is sharp. Thank you.

Hello. I have the same problem, fuel consumption has increased from 8 to almost 12, when starting the engine when cold, the speed reaches normal, then immediately drops to 500, then it rises to normal until the car warms up, and when warm, the speed in drive drops to 550 -600 in reverse gear the same, the speed of my car is 800-990

Liqui Moly

How to clean the MAF sensor? One option is cleaning fluid from Liqui Moly. The company is known to many car enthusiasts as a manufacturer that makes only high-quality products for cars. In addition, the ratio between reliability and price is at an optimal level. As for the use of liquid for cleaning the mass air flow sensor, most vehicle owners have already become convinced of its effectiveness. This has not been proven by a single procedure. And if the sensor is in working condition, then even after cleaning it will last no less.

The liquid can be used for both diesel and gasoline engines.

Alcohol

We can say that this is an old-fashioned method, which at the same time will never lose its relevance. Alcohol can effectively break down dirt and blockages. About 20 years ago, the question of how to clean the mass air flow sensor was mainly solved with the help of alcohol, and this method was held in high esteem by many drivers, but now they are trying to resort to it less and less.

Nevertheless, it is relevant in cases where the car owner needs to invoice for washing with special means. Unfortunately, such disappointing practice is not uncommon at many service stations.

What is the best way to flush the air flow sensor?

In fact, there are not many cleaning compounds that can be used to clean the air sensor - all the others will simply ruin it (see section above).

Therefore, the question: what is the best way to flush the air flow sensor can be answered quite specifically:

pure medical ethyl alcohol that does not contain any impurities;
carburetor cleaner (does not contain acetone);
spray WD-40.

WD-40

At the same time, medical alcohol can be used either 96 degrees or diluted with distilled water in a ratio of 1 to 5.

Liquid key

This product from a domestic manufacturer is sold in the form of a spray. It is designed to get rid of frozen contaminants on various components and assemblies of vehicles.

Absolutely every car enthusiast is familiar with this product, regardless of experience. In addition, all other people who are not directly related to cars know about it. Over the course of its existence, WD-40 has proven itself to be excellent, and there is no doubt about its effectiveness.

For this reason, it is used not only to remove “deposits” from bolts, but also to clean the mass air flow sensor.

Purifier selection options

How to clean the flow meter? The modern market offers many products for cleaning regulators; let’s look at the most effective options:

Liqui Moly. This manufacturer, as you know, produces not only cleaning products, but also motor and transmission oils, as well as other types of liquids. If you believe the official information provided by the manufacturer, then this product belongs to the high-quality category. Accordingly, the cost of such a MAF cleaner will also be high. In fact, Liqui Moly cleaners cope with their tasks quite effectively - this product perfectly removes dirt from the sensor. If the flow meter was in working order at the time of cleaning, then after that it will work for a long time. The use of Liqui Moly is relevant in both gasoline engines and diesel power units.
Alternatively, you can use alcohol to clean the device. This method is considered one of the oldest, but nevertheless the most effective. Due to its chemical properties, alcohol is good at removing clogs that accumulate on the sensitive component of the air flow sensor. Despite its effectiveness, today this method is not used so often and is usually used by unscrupulous technicians at service stations. The client pays for a special substance, for example, Liqui Moly, and in fact the cleaning is carried out using alcohol.
The next option is fluid for carburetor engines. This option is considered one of the most effective and frequently used. Using carburetor fluid, you can effectively clean it, and as practice shows, such a product allows you to remove all contaminants.
Another product sold in spray form is Liquid Key. This cleaner is used to remove all kinds of contaminants, not only from the flow meter, but also from other mechanisms and components.
A universal tool for performing many tasks is WD-40. This liquid is used by our compatriots to clean all kinds of components, remove rust, get rid of squeaks, etc. Not so long ago, our car enthusiasts began to use it to clean flow meters (the author of the video is the Gen channel MB W140 Germany).

How to properly clean the air flow sensor

Let's consider the procedure for cleaning the mass air flow sensor using the example of a car of the 10th family - VAZ-2110:

Turn off the ignition.
Disconnect the connector from the mass air flow sensor.
Remove the sensor itself by unscrewing the bolts that secure it to the air filter housing. Depending on the car model, disabling the mass air flow sensor may vary.
The sensor is removed from its place, otherwise its cleaning will not be effective.
On the device itself there is an area with two bolts - these should also be unscrewed.
The selected cleaning agent is drawn into a syringe and then sprayed onto the sensitive element. At the same time, if necessary, you can wash the block with contacts.
Give time for everything to dry.
Assemble the sensor and install it in place.

To make drying faster, you can use a compressor only at minimum pressure. If the sensitive element is heavily soiled, the procedure should be repeated several times.

But even in this case, washing does not always give the desired result, and you just have to go to the nearest store for a new mass air flow sensor.

Additional manipulations

It is now clear how to clean the mass air flow sensor, but this procedure alone does not end everything; it is necessary to perform a number of additional and necessary manipulations. And you need to do this before installing a clean device. And while the cleaning agent is drying, it’s time to work on the air pipe. It is worth carefully inspecting it for integrity. And if the condition is unsatisfactory - there are cracks and other damage, then it should be replaced.

As experts note, before installing the mass air flow sensor, it is advisable to replace the filter element. You should also check the condition of the rubber seal. Here it is important to pay attention to how tightly it fits, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid the suction of outside air, which is flooded with various contaminants. As a result, cleaning will be required again, and in a fairly short time. Or it will lead to its failure altogether.