frequency of MAF replacement?

[boy412]

How frequently should these be replaced? ECS claims they should be changed periodically, even if nothing is obviously wrong (no CEL's, etc).

My car has 103k on the clock and I've never changed the MAF. If there is some hidden fuel economy or performance I'm willing to put in a new one, but I wanted to see if there was any truth to what ECS says.

Cheers!

boy412

[sloweryucf]

Have you ever cleaned yours?

[djs]

MAFs should be a lifetime part. Unless you're running an oiled air filter (like a K&N) it really shouldn't need replacing. If you are concerned, you can clean it as mentioned in the post above. I really don't see any value in spending the money to change it, unless it's broken. Gotta remember, ECS makes money selling you replacement parts and they probably make some good margins on electronics, hence they push them.

[initiala4]

eh I only changed it because I thought my unit is defective from vagcom logs. I think they are suppose to last for a while.

[boy412]

Have you ever cleaned yours?

Nope...never. And I AM running a K&N filter (since the September of last year) in the stock airbox.

Is cleaning this pretty straightforward? Any advice appreciated...as always.

Cheers,

boy412

[CO AVANT]

You can get MAF cleaner in a spray can from any auto parts store...

[boy412]

I'll check it out...thanks!

boy412

[djs]

I think you can also use carb cleaner. Most important thing is to get the wires clean of any oil that may have migrated from the filter. Wouldn't hurt to lose the K&N filter also, there's really no significant benefit, and a risk of contaminating your MAFs.

[boy412]

Anybody else loosing their K&N filters? This is a new one for me!

boy412

[djs]

Anybody else loosing their K&N filters? This is a new one for me!

boy412

Yes, If you stroll the boards enough you'll see a lot of people suggest sticking with the OEM filter. I used to design air induction systems, including the filter, in a past job. The OEM filter is really more than enough for what most people require day to day. If most of your driving is on paved roads, you're engine really isn't sucking in much dust and your filter will easily last 50k miles. The filter actually works a lil better, with respect to filter efficiency, when it's a little dirty. There really isn't much of a pressure loss across the filter and only a slight improvement if any from a K&N. If you're looking for a power boost on the intake side, you need to go with an all new intake assembly; something that is maybe a little bigger in diameter, with less elbows and sucks in cooler air.

Run a search on K&N, or air filter and look at the comments on the board. Good luck!

[sloweryucf]

I second a stock air filter. They can be had at Autozone for $14. CRC makes a MAF cleaner for the sensor. You can use the red straw that comes with it to spray in there. Supposed to be fast drying. Those damn germans and there security torx screws (except there are 5 lobe instead of six. WTF!

[skeeball]

You can unscrew the MAF screws with vice grips very easily. You can also pick up a whole mess of security bits from amazon for a couple of bucks (I've posted the link several times before).

I suggest you remove the sensor before from the housing before cleaning, otherwise you will end up spraying the IAT instead of the MAF wires. The IAT is what is readily visible when looking at the housing.

[boy412]

Thanks for all the info. I've been wanting a new airbox...so maybe this is a good enough reason to throw down for a Carbonio!

So what's an IAT?

Cheers,

boy412

[skeeball]

intake air temp sensor

[djs]

You can also pick up a whole mess of security bits from amazon for a couple of bucks (I've posted the link several times before).

I picked mine up at a NAPA auto parts store. They sell them, or did, in packs of two.

[CO AVANT]

The oiling compounds K&N uses is too thick and can cause MAF problems. Go with an AFE, dry, or foam filter. They are much better. AFE is an off-shoot company to K&N and they use lighter oiling compounds which is better for the maf. Never drive a car until hours after re-oiling a filter. It needs to dry completely.

[dougyfresh]

ITG air filters FTW!

http://www.itgairfilters.com/

[aaaudiprotein]

I just took the MAF sensor off of the car, but i can barely see inside of it. How should i clean it?

[Pr0n]

I just took the MAF sensor off of the car, but i can barely see inside of it. How should i clean it?

also, is it OK to use "Intake" or "Carb" Cleaner? I couldn't find any MAF cleaners but the guy at Part Source (Canadian Tire owned) suggested either could work, preferably "intake" cleaner.

[aaaudiprotein]

I just went to Lee AutoParts and they got one.

Also other part stores should have them.

[aaaudiprotein]

My other Question, WHERE DO I GET THAT 5 side TORX SCREWDRIVER ???

[A4TL]

fwiw i cleaned mine with CRC and guess what the reading was the same afterwards. paper filter ftw. if your maf starts to die on a tiptronic you will have pains since the load signal goes str8 to the tippy computer.

if you can afford it i'd probably consider using paper only and replace the maf to ensure your tiptronic lasts a long time.

unplug the maf and see if you can get out of 3rd or reverse on a tiptronic :)

[aaaudiprotein]

fwiw i cleaned mine with CRC and guess what the reading was the same afterwards. paper filter ftw. if your maf starts to die on a tiptronic you will have pains since the load signal goes str8 to the tippy computer.

if you can afford it i'd probably consider using paper only and replace the maf to ensure your tiptronic lasts a long time.

unplug the maf and see if you can get out of 3rd or reverse on a tiptronic :)

Who is this comment for??? :)))

[A4TL]

i suggest that you clean your maf, and replace it eventually as they die over time (sometimes they str8 up die) your tiptronic will suffer from a degraded signal.

when the maf dies completely your tiptronic will be stuck in 3rd gear unlocked torque converter and reverse (limp).

I suggest you replace the maf before either situation happens as a warning to tiptronic owners so you don't end up paying $4 grand to have a rebuilt tranny put in.

just a warning as to how important the maf is for tiptronic owners passing through.

you can find another tiptronic model in your area and compare mass air flow logs if you think yours might be going out.

Just a PSA. Spend some money taking care of the MAF or your tiptronic will go bust and you will be really sad to find out a couple hundred bucks after 5 years cost you 4 grand plus a couple hundred bucks :)

[aaaudiprotein]

Mine is 5spd