Clean Mass airflow sensor

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Sep 24, 2022 | 02:51 PM

bgumo1

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10th Gear

Joined: Sep 2021

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From: California

Clean Mass airflow sensor

I purchased can of CRC Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner and it says 'DO NOT use on SOME 2006 and older Toyota, Lexus, and Mitsubishis. Not sure what type of sensor my 94 ls has, but it says not for Karman-Vortex sensors. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Bill

Sep 24, 2022 | 03:45 PM

Gerf

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I've used MAF cleaner on my 96 a few times and it never hurt it, there really has to be something visible on it to make any difference...something that looks like a clump of fine hair or visible dirt.
There are only 2 types of man sensors that I'm aware of, hot wire and vane. you have a hot wire type..vane types are from the 80's on japanese vehicles.

edit....Oops, I was wrong. apparently the early 400's are the karman type, I never heard them called that before. Still, I have cleaned may 96 with crc sensor cleaner and it worked fine.

Last edited by Gerf; Sep 24, 2022 at 04:09 PM.

Sep 24, 2022 | 09:24 PM

deanshark

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From: ct

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgumo1

I purchased can of CRC Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner and it says 'DO NOT use on SOME 2006 and older Toyota, Lexus, and Mitsubishis. Not sure what type of sensor my 94 ls has, but it says not for Karman-Vortex sensors. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Bill

DO NOT clean it with any cleaner, only air. Your "Air Flow Meter" is a Karman-Vortex type. Gerf musta been very lucky if nothing happened to his after cleaning it but I know by personal experience not to clean it. My first 93 I bought I cleaned it when I did the timing belt the first week after I got it. I also didn't realize then that it shouldn't be cleaned. One of the first things I learned on this forum.....the wrong way.

Sep 24, 2022 | 09:26 PM

400fanboy

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From: Nevada

Wait the MAF shouldn't be cleaned?

Sep 24, 2022 | 10:08 PM

deanshark

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From: ct

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400fanboy

Wait the MAF shouldn't be cleaned?

Not the Karmann-Vortex type. Those can NOT be cleaned. On the 1st gen it has the AFM not a MAF. I thought they were up to 96 but I was wrong and it's only 90-94 I guess. So, with Gerf having a 96 then that's ok to clean cuz it's not the Karmann-Vortex.

Sep 24, 2022 | 10:34 PM

400fanboy

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From: Nevada

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanshark

Wow today I learned something. Much appreciated.

Sep 25, 2022 | 07:51 AM

cyfi66

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 347

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From: AZ

Yeah it will completely ruin the karman vortex MAF. Only use it for hot wire MAFs. And don't use an air filter like the K&N which requires oil because the oil will foul the sensor as well.