I may have an issue with my mass air flow sensor. After looking it is not a cheep part but is easy to remove. Has anyone used CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner to clean one of these? Does the stuff work? At $10 a can is there any reason not to try it?

In another thread I describe my issues with a low power engine and three of four codes mention this sensor as a possibility. I would hate to throw money at a part that is not the cause.

 

It works to clean the sensor, but often
an MAF code comes up and the problem
turns out to be something else, like
the throttle body in my case.

 

Mine was a hole in the intercooler boot on the passenger side right before the plastic intercooler pipe. I did use crac maf cleaner thinking that was the issue. Jack the car up and found the tear, replaced hose no codes and full boost.

 

Mine is a non turbo 1.6. With the car in neutral (manual transmission) it will want to shudder and stall between 800 and 1200 RPM. And its top speed is only 40 MPH. Unplugging the mass air flow sensor gets rid of the shuddering and stalling issue. Also I have a top speed closer to 60. I am not thinking this is the only issue but wondering if it is one of many. There is a hiss when driving that is louder with the mass air flow sensor on than when it is disconnected.

 

Do a google search on the codes that you are getting, ex “p0420 mini code” is how I search, that’s what led me to start tracking down the boost leak. As Nik said in your other thread, might be time to do all the maintenance items, filters, fluids, plugs, etc. clean the maf and make sure all the intake piping is good and all hose clamps are tight. Just because it’s one code doesn’t mean that’s the issue, Cristo and I gave 2 great examples of that.

 

I didn't have any issues with the MAF sensor, but cleaned it with CRC stuff you're asking about and afterward I had the MAF code. I was stupid and bought one from Ebay for less than $50, to the house total cost. It added a few more codes and ran like poop. I ended up taking it to the dealer. The goober mechanics did not even know how to determine if it was the MAF sensor. Scary. They took one off a car they had on the lot and it corrected the MAF issue. They kept it 2 weeks and suggested fixing all kinds of crazy stuff. I was determined to stick with them fixing that one thing. They gave me the car back for no charge and said they could order the MAF for $526. I ended up buying a new Bosch for $255, the BMW part was $400. Move along little doggie, don't muck with the Sensor spray. If you MAF is blowed up bite the bullet and get a new one. The car ran as you described it.