"BMW X5 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Cleaning"

By Ron Stultz

18 April 2012

Summary: not recommended. (1) The MAF is very delicate and if damaged is an expensive component to replace and (2) Seriously doubt that MAF could ever get dirty enough to need cleaning.

Background:

Check Engine Light (CEL) on BMW Z3.

Possible cause (via an Internet search), dirty mass air flow (MAF) sensor.

The MAF sits between the air filter box and the intake manifold of the engine. It is a round plastic component with an electrical connector attached.

The MAF provides the X5's onboard computer with information on the amount of air being taken into the engine and is used to help regulate the amount of gasoline being injected into cylinders.

MAF cleaner sold at auto parts stores.

Cleaned MAF using cleaner but did not correct the problem.

Thoughts:

While I guess it is possible that a MAF could get so dirty as to require cleaning, if your engine is sucking up that much dust, dirt, you are going to have other problems before the MAF needs a clean.

MAF go bad? Perhaps.

As the MAF is very delicate and doubt MAF could ever get dirty enough that cleaning would actually help, do not recommend you do it.

Make sure you replace your air filter often and your MAF will never get dirty.