MAF Sensor Cleaner - Anyone ever use it?

[RABID_MP5]

I saw an article in Popular Mechanics a few months ago. They mentioned that you can use a product made by CRC to clean the thin wire in the Mass Air Flow Sensor. They were very specific to use this product or else leave it alone. Anyone else hear of it or use it? Supposedly available at O'Reilly's etc.

 

[dekeman]

Yes, I've used this with much success. It's a typical spray can with a straw. I take down the intake hose as far as I can and remove the MAF assembly, then spray down the sensor needle vertically (spray downward so the needle is horizontal), so the runoff doesn't contaminate anything else in there. Once that's done, I flip it over and do it again. I did my Protege in the summer, so it's possible that I'm remembering the procedure for my Windstar. No flaming!

Don't know if this is typical electronic cleaner spray or some specialized formula. I stick with it because the MAF sensor is such a critical system component, and I don't want to take any chances. The CRC stuff is a little pricier than say a can of NAPA electronic parts cleaner (the other stuff I have), but probably worth it. It'd be a shame to screw up your MAF just to save a few bucks!!!