# MAF Sensor cleaning ideas **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 14, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383 "2019-07-14T18:48:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nbpt100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9f8e36/32.png) [@nbpt100](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nbpt100)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/1 "2019-07-14T18:48:07Z")
I know it is highly advised to only use MAF sensor cleaner to clean the MAF sensor. I recently saw a video of someone cleaning it with Isopropyl alcohol and a Q tip. It seems reasonable as the alcohol will evaporate quickly. As long as the Qtip does not leave an strands of cotton behind it sounds reasonable… Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/2 "2019-07-14T18:54:17Z")
Proper tool for the proper job, why risk it for $7. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/3 "2019-07-14T20:10:52Z")
Yes. Never touch the hot wire on a MAF sensor, Tester ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/4 "2019-07-14T20:14:53Z")
I’ve seen videos of people doing all kinds of stupid things… ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/5 "2019-07-14T23:03:12Z")
MAF cleaner is Isopropyl Alcohol. I would not use a Q-tip though. Better to fill a container and dip the MAF sensor into it and swirl it around. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/6 "2019-07-14T23:05:24Z")
> [@keith](#): > > MAF cleaner is Isopropyl Alcohol [http://knowhow.napaonline.com/know-how-notes-how-to-clean-your-maf-sensor/](http://knowhow.napaonline.com/know-how-notes-how-to-clean-your-maf-sensor/) Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/7 "2019-07-14T23:29:59Z")
> [@nbpt100](#): > > Any thoughts? It should be possible to clean the wire w/a QTip, but it seems considerably less risky if you don’t touch the wire at all, and just direct a spray of the correct cleaning solution. It’s your sensor though, so you can clean it however you like. If you try the QTip idea let us know the results. Isopropyl alcohol comes in different strengths, so be sure to use the strength (%) recommended. ---
**Author:** ![mperry\_153483](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@mperry\_153483](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mperry_153483)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/8 "2019-07-14T23:44:23Z")
If you choose isopropyl, be aware some are 70%, others 99% pure. Walgren’s 91% comes in a spray bottle, $3.79. Wally world has the real stuff (as in Tester’s video) for $7.29. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/9 "2019-07-15T00:08:30Z")
> [@keith](#): > > MAF cleaner is Isopropyl Alcohol. ??? Not in CRC MAF cleaner: naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light 50 - 60% 2-methylpentane 20 - 30% carbon dioxide 3 - 5% n-hexane 3 - 5% methanol 2 - 4% n-pentane 1 - 3 % > **[1003828E.pdf](https://docs.crcindustries.com/msds/1003828E.pdf)** > > 229.39 KB ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/10 "2019-07-15T00:11:20Z")
Is there a particular reason you don’t want to go the auto parts store and buy maf sensor cleaner? Is the store too far away? Do you want to be cheap? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/11 "2019-07-15T01:53:22Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > It should be possible to clean the wire w/a QTip George. Are you willing to put a crowbar in your wallet to open it so you can buy a new MAF sensor for the OP if they damage it using a Q-tip by following your advice? I didn’t think so. Tester ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/12 "2019-07-15T16:29:21Z")
> [@texases](#): > > ??? Not in CRC MAF cleaner: Maybe not now. A can of MAF cleaner lasts a looong time. The first can I bought listed Isopropyl Alcohol as its main ingredient and it smelled like Isopropyl Alcohol. It does not really matter which strength you use, it all works but I use 91% and pour it into a small disposable cup and just soak it for awhile, then let it air dry. ---
**Author:** ![CapitalTruck](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capitaltruck/32/16592_2.png) [@CapitalTruck](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapitalTruck)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/13 "2019-07-15T19:18:11Z")
I’ll keep using the CRC product designed exclusively for the purpose…but hey, to each his own!! ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/14 "2019-07-16T01:50:44Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > Are you willing to put a crowbar in your wallet to open it so you can buy a new MAF sensor for the OP if they damage it using a Q-tip by following your advice? I don’t recall offering that advice. In any event it’s the OP’s sensor and the OP can do whatever they like with it. Likewise it is my wallet … and my crowbar … 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JLB2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JLB2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JLB2)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2020, 12:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/15 "2020-10-18T12:58:39Z")
My 2 cents on my '03 Eclipse . . . I cleaned the MAF sensor, and things were OK for awhile, then got bad again. So, I cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body. It left me on the side of the road, and I had to limped home. So, I spent $75 and got a brand new MAF sensor . . . 15 minute switchout. Running like new. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2020, 1:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maf-sensor-cleaning-ideas/144383/16 "2020-10-18T13:10:09Z")
17 years on the original MAF sensor is great. Cleaning first, then replacing if cleaning doesn’t work, is the order I’d use to make the repair. Start with the cheap fix and then go to the more expensive fixes later.