Well, I was having issues with my car bogging when trying to get up to speed on the hwy and I was so happy to fall upon the information on the MFF.com board - Thank you Ray and all who offer information.
I've taken the liberty of adding the information here and tweaking it just a little.
Cleaning MAFS (BE GENTLE!)
Need:
t20 torx tamperproof bit w/ratchet
two cotton swabs
rubbing alcohol
1. take out the two torx screws holding down the MAF to the plastic tube(or aluminum tube if you have an intake)
2. remove the wire connector to the MAF
3. gently tug up on the MAF to pull out the sensor
4. dip the cotton swab in the alcohol and lightly rub the front and back wires in the black plastic tube coming out of the bottom of the MAF *be sure your swab isn't soaked...it doesn't need to be.
5. air dry for a few minutes
6. replace and secure MAF to the intake
7. DO NOT FORGET TO PLUG THE CONNECTOR BACK IN! neglecting to do so will result in the check engine light coming on and a trip to either the dealership or a local mechanic or even AutoZone (they will require you to do the pushing of the button to clear the CEL light) to clear the code.
Best of luck!
Last edited on Wed Jun 2nd, 2004 08:13 pm by Chelly03PZEV
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Talked to a mechanic today and he told me that he uses fast dry brake parts cleaner to clean the MAF. Just spray it on lightly and make sure it dries quick.
Not a bad idea, but I'd be leary of residue buildup...the way I cleaned it, it actually removed the dirt and I could see it on the cotton, but hey...whatever anyone is comfortable with.
I'm just not keen on paying $130 for such a small part.
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Since my '05 ZX3 has 13K miles on her, I thought I was over due for a new air filter when having the oil changed. I'm then informed about and shown this gauge by the Ford dealer. Air flow gauge showed no problem at all. Everything is still stock on car. Can you still just change out the drop in air filters or is there something else I should know about. Is this air flow gauge really necessary(hooked up to cars computer), or can you just change filters out as necessary. Car was running fine, I'm just used to checking and changing out the simple things myself.
The car's ability to breathe is as vital as your ability to breathe. It effects performance, mileage, and engine life. Usually you can tell if your air filter needs changing by doing a visual inspection. If it looks dirty, it is. You could also calculate the replacement via mileage. Look in your manual for recommendations. I'm always suspicious of flow guages, etc. IMO they're gadgets that enable dealers to sell you things you really don't need.
Filters are important, though. If you're in doubt...change it out. They're pretty cheap compared to what could happen if you don't.
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Thanks for your reply. Looking at the engine and where the air cleaner is. I couldn't believe the dealer coming back with the reply of what the cost would be and I stated, "can't you just take the damn air filter out and replace it" he just looked at me and smiled. I knew then that the MAFS is important but you could just switch airfilters out, like I was used to doing myself. Humm, makes you wonder why Ford has probs.(I know it's a much bigger issue than my prob., just seems like they keep shooting themselves in the foot)LOL! Oh, hope you school year is going well. My move to a rural H.S. was the wisest move I've made since I started teaching. Take care bud.
Air filters are very important as Mr. V stated. Changing them out depends a lot on many factors.
Where you Live (dry desert w/ dust - more often)
What type of air filter are you using? (K&N can go for a lifetime, but you have to clean it at least once a year w/ the recharge kit avail. for it)
Those of us w/ the 2.3 PZEV Duratec engine have a 100k mile filter in it. Unless you've changed it out - I know Egz has - you don't need to do much to it until the guage indicates it is needed. These particular filters are full change out types. The whole componant comes out and is then replaced. When mine is done, I'm going to go to a CAI.
The few things in maintaining a vehicle which can significantly impact it are the things that most ppl. don't do regularly.
Change your Oil & filter as recommended* (*synthetics w/ the proper filters are an exception here - you would then follow the recommendations for those products)
Change your air filter once a year or every 15k miles* (*depending on the area you live in - dusty air allows for more dirt and particles to be caught in the filters)
Change your Fuel Filter once per year
Change your PCV Valve once a year
Clean your MAFS once a year, more if you feel the hesitation
Rotate your tires every 5-7k miles depending on how you drive and what the compound composition is. If you have a Z rated tire, I'd be certain to rotate your tires more often - Maybe every 4-5k miles. (The focus has issues w/ alignment and uneven wear on tires is epidemic)
Check your anti-freeze at least twice a year - if you're in colder climates like we are here in the North East it should test to -20 to -30 degrees farenheit. Remember Cars don't react to 'wind chill' like humans...this isn't a factor for those componants.
Wash your car on a regular basis - weekly if you can to get off road grime, salt if you're in an area where they use it in the winter. Touchless is great, but it doesn't remove embedded soil, dirt & dust. May sure you get under the car and up inside the wheel wells. Those of you near the oceans, salt air can do some damage on your paint and aid rusting too.
There are loads of other things, but these are some of the most important things you can do to keep your car happy,healthy and last a very long time. I think of all the stories I've heard from men and women all over who don't change their oil as they need and wonder why theyhave so many issues w/ their car.
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I'm looking at making my cold air intake into a true ram air, cutting a hole in the hood and making a custom scoop. I was curious to know if anyone has any tips on how to keep water and snow out of the scoop and still retain high air flow. i.e. How to make baffles for a hood scoop.
I will definately have to print those out for my baby.....I really don't want to replace it if cleaning it will help.....I have sooo many other parts to change out to get my baby running again
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SMKNS2!!!!
"I'm looking at making my cold air intake into a true ram air, cutting a hole in the hood and making a custom scoop. I was curious to know if anyone has any tips on how to keep water and snow out of the scoop and still retain high air flow. i.e. How to make baffles for a hood scoop. "
I don't think that sounds like a good idea. Keeping water, snow, dirt, and small to medium sized birds outta there isn't going to be easy. Some long tube CAIs have a gizmo that instantly closes when water is dected, but those are not real reliable. Stories of hydro locked engines have been frequent. Second thing is, I don't know how much, if any performance gain you'd get from this.
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Not a bad idea, but I'd be leary of residue buildup...the way I cleaned it, it actually removed the dirt and I could see it on the cotton, but hey...whatever anyone is comfortable with.
