FYI

The August issue of Popular Mechanics has an interesting article (Cleaned Out, page 105) on cleaning a MAF. While not specific on any one brand of vehicle, the article does describe the MAF's function and some details of its operation. For example, I didn't know that these sensors have a periodic self-cleaning process.

Also, in the same magazine is an advertisement by CRC for their MAF cleaner product with a mail-in coupon for a repate; you can almost get a can for free.

I purchased a can but have not yet tried it out.

 

I used CRC's cleaner today and found that it was easy to use and appears to have done a good job of cleaning the MAF on my 2000 C4. Of note is that this product has a strong spray pattern that probably helps blast away any grime. While I removed the air box I think this job can be done without doing so. The only special tool is the T20 security Torx. This style simply has a center hole that to allow the tool to fit over the 'pin' in the screw head.

My car was NOT experiencing any CEL codes before I cleaned the sensor. I was doing this merly as a preventative step. However, I did discover what appeared to be a single hair stuck around one of the wires. It was so fine that it didn't showup in any of the photos. I have not detected any noticable change in drivability folllowing the cleaning.

 

This is a follow-up on the positive affects I have experinced following a maintenance cleaning of the MAF. You may remember that I had no codes and no known problems. Before, my 2000 C4 coupe 6sp would consistently get 25.5 MPG on the highway cruising @ 75~80 MPH. Now I find the fuel mileage has increased on average by about 1 MPG.

 

sounds simple enough! was this your original MAF?

 

Sharp, as far as I can tell my car still has the orignal MAF. It has the 'look' of being the right age, etc. I just purchased the vehicle last December, so I'm still learning alot.