Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner Alternative

Washing your mass airflow sensor is an important aspect of maintaining your vehicle since it can help your car regain some strength, which is always a good thing.

However, if you don’t have accessibility to one, here are mass airflow sensor cleaner choices:

• Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol

• Electronic cleaners without residue

• WD-40

• Gunk MAS6 MAF cleaner

• Archoil MAF sensor cleaner

• Johnsen’s MAF sensor cleaner

The mass airflow sensor is essential for safe and efficient engine running. Generally, the air traveling through the sensor leaves a small substance that builds up over time and finally causes the detector to fail.

Like any other vehicle component, a mass wind current sensor can become filthy or dusty over time. If this happens, it will stop working properly. So, the best thing you can do is clean it.

Early Signs of a Faltering Mass Airflow Sensor

A failing mass airflow will throw off the air and fuel ratio. Preferably 14.7 grams of air per gram of fuel is the stoichiometric air and fuel combination. 

It’s called flawless combustion since the mass airflow sensor operates because it has a small wire that gets heated when current passes through it, which gives it the greatest result. A steady current flows through the wire to keep it heated at a predetermined temperature.  

When the mass airflow fails, it might result in a hard start or no ignition due to the fuel injector spraying too many or too few fuels.  

Another symptom is that when the mass airflow fails again, it will throw off the air-fuel ratio and have an impact. Harsh idle hesitation during acceleration, poor engine efficiency, vehicle jerking when accelerating, occasional stalling engine surging, and even engine backfiring will be noticeable to the driver.

Dirt on the inside hot thin wire of the mass airflow sensors might create erroneous readings. Its hot thin wire must be clear of contaminants such as dirt to work effectively and provide the appropriate signal to the engine control module.  

Again, a distorted transmission will result in issues with engine performance, ignition, etc.

A failing mass airflow causes the engine to run excessively rich or lean. The mass airflow sensor operator will notice an activated check engine light. 

When the engine is running too rich, you’ll notice poor fuel economy, poor engine performance, a spark plug coated in black soot, and black smoke coming out of the exhaust.

Never Do This When Cleaning Your Mass Air Flow Sensor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to clean a mass airflow sensor with a brake cleaner?

Yes, owners can use brake cleaner to wash a mass airflow sensor. But, like with the other cleansers, be careful not to spritz too much, or the sensor’s parts may be damaged.

 Wash it off with a clean, dry towel and wait a few hours before replacing the MAF detector.

Is it possible to apply throttle body cleaning on the MAF sensor?

It’s not good to use throttle body cleaner on your MAF sensor since it could remove the film that some MAF sensors have on their bodies.

Can you sanitize a mass airflow sensor using rubbing alcohol?

Yes, rubbing alcohol can be used to cleanse a MAF sensor. However, use it cautiously because so much of it can harm the sensor’s fragile parts. 

Wipe the sensors down with a clean, dry towel.

Do you think you could fix a mass airflow sensor?

The mass airflow sensors should be easily replaceable or restored. Before changing the sensor, loosen some nuts and extract some plastic parts. 

Bring it to your specialist if you don’t feel at ease fixing it yourself. That shouldn’t be too challenging.