Maf sensor cleaning

11fernsroad

Hi
Our 2010 reg 318D car is showing evidence of loss of power,erratic idling and high fuel consumption lately.No engine fault lights have come on.
Going thru various forums I am told the first thing to check is whether MAF sensor needs cleaning.
How much would it cost me to get a indie garage to cleaning it for me??
Or is it something i can do myself with a MAF sensor cleaning spray?
We live in Berkshire

stator

I'm not an expert but I believe the MAF sensor is hard to calibrate so best to get a garage. Probably worth replacing it, I don't thin kthe actual sensor is expensive

Inner_Zone

I tried cleaning one on my Vauxhall, just killed it completely. Replacement was nearly £100 but only about five minutes to fit, DIY.

Rubidium

stator wrote: »

I'm not an expert but I believe the MAF sensor is hard to calibrate so best to get a garage. Probably worth replacing it, I don't thin kthe actual sensor is expensive

So why post on a topic that you obviously know nothing about?

There is no calibration, the sensor simply provides data to the ECU.

MAF's are not cheap for any car, so cleaning it is the obvious first step.

OP I don't know how much a garage would charge in your location but there are numerous vids online so you could try DIY.

EdGasket

Get a can of contact cleaner from Halfords (about £4) and give it a good spray. There are vids on YouTube how to do this. It worked a treat on my Merc petrol model; changed it back to driving like it had a new engine again; much smoother and no rattling/pinking under load.

11fernsroad

EdGasket wrote: »

Get a can of contact cleaner from Halfords (about £4) and give it a good spray. There are vids on YouTube how to do this. It worked a treat on my Merc petrol model; changed it back to driving like it had a new engine again; much smoother and no rattling/pinking under load.

Hi
Thanks for the informative and supportive reply.
Problem is I find the layout of engine bay different from videos online even when searching for model 318D and year make.
If I post a pic of my engine bay can somebody point out where i should focus on?

Rubidium

11fernsroad wrote: »

Hi
Thanks for the informative and supportive reply.
Problem is I find the layout of engine bay different from videos online even when searching for model 318D and year make.
If I post a pic of my engine bay can somebody point out where i should focus on?

You can try posting a picture but the MAF may be hidden under a plastic engine cover.

Watch this vid here

MAF shown here:

EdGasket

Any of these help:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=MAF+location+318D&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiE3ZnH_pfKAhXja3IKHbFHDdoQsAQIHA&biw=1214&bih=739

Note when cleaning; its more effective to unscrew the MAF from the surrounding ducting tube.

foxy-stoat

What is your running coolant temperature? You can access the hidden menus on the E9* cars.

If its not 90ish after 5 minutes then your EGR and main thermostate will need changing.

Nodding_Donkey

Do NOT use contact cleaner of a MAF, it contains lubricants that can contaminate it. Isopropyl Alcohol will clean it properly, available from a chemist or, more expensively, from Halfords where it is labelled 'MAF cleaner'

s_b

Ive never found cleaning mafs a solution and ive never found copies available on the net any good either no matter how many cross references the seller gives to suitability, a new one from a reputable motor factor is the best long term solution and will save fuel from day one