I was wondering if the mass air sensor on a 2003 S Type with a NA 4.2 motor should be cleaned or not. The car is now 14 years old and the MAS probably was never cleaned. I used to have a couple of Nissans in the past and cleaning the mass air sensor made them perform better and took care of some intermittent problems too. I'm talking about using a cleaner made for mass air sensors, not bleach or anything.

 

It probably depends on a bunch of things such as what size particulates and what pollutants are in the air it sees.

Can't hurt to clean it (indeed probably a good idea) - so long as it's done with care and suitable cleaning agent.

 

I clean ALL of our mass air flow sensors every 12,000 miles or so. Easy to do, just be sure to use the appropriate MAFS cleaning spray, and never touch the elements with anything other than the spray itself....

 

hi
if you K&N type oiled filters, you have to clean them, as some of the oil can get transferred to the MAF
cheers
Joe

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

 

preventative maintenance on many components
could or will save the hassle of fixing broken components .
its kind of built in to the name preventative maintenance .

 

Preventative maintenance or tempt providence...


I fear the electrical gremlins that can be awoken by the unwary. They certainly haunt my little baby. I just carry a spare MAF and replace when the old one gives up. This for me is close to an annual event!!!

 

I know what you mean about stirring things up needlessly and causing problems. I cleaned the mass air sensor with the product for cleaning mass air sensors and it didn't do much. The sensor itself and the tube it is in were actually really clean, at least it didn't hurt anything or make the car explode. The car seems happy whenever you give it some attention though.

 

So you're afraid to clean your MAFS, but have to replace it almost annually?

 

Yup, and I think cleaning the original created this problem... Did clean it originally as part of the routine servicing with a spray of MAF cleaner and thats when my problems started...


There is a post here on the troubles I'm having with MAF's, MAF's and the starter circuit hence my wariness to awaken the lurking electrical gremlins.


With most things I'm quite happy pulling them apart just to make sure nothings wrong, I've given the ZF an overhaul, pulled apart both the front and rear suspension just to find things to replace. Had the dash apart to resolder a burnt out CCD circuit and to install a Parrot MKi9200 and so much more... But can I find out what's stuffing MAF's or causing a total refusal to start on rare occassions (but seemingly only when I really need the car to start.)


So yes, if by cleaning the MAF for no reason other than preventative I caused this, well I happy to share this tale of woe...