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Is it ok to clean the mass air elements with carb cleaner?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bdog9seclx
  • Start date Start date Jan 6, 2006

bdog9seclx

New Member
Dec 22, 2005
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atl
Jan 6, 2006
#1
  • Jan 6, 2006
  • #1
Is it ok to clean the mass air elements with carb cleaner? cuz i did.
 

bill302

Active Member
Nov 2, 2005
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alabama,gadsden
Jan 6, 2006
#2
  • Jan 6, 2006
  • #2
i did it, and it idles alot better.i don't think it will hurt anything just a matter of personal opinion but before i cleaned it i could see black **** on wire . i sent you the link below which stated to use carb. cleaner.did it cause you any problems.

http://www.muscularmustangs.com/maf.php
 
8

8950HO

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
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Jan 6, 2006
#3
  • Jan 6, 2006
  • #3
It`s not the best choice,but shouldn`t do any serious harm really.

Use electrical contact cleaner in a spray can in the future,because it dries without leaving any residue behind.

Carb cleaners usually contain a lubricant that stays in place after it dries,which is not what you want in this application.
 

bill302

Active Member
Nov 2, 2005
2,131
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alabama,gadsden
Jan 6, 2006
#4
  • Jan 6, 2006
  • #4
8950HO said:
It`s not the best choice,but shouldn`t do any serious harm really.

Use electrical contact cleaner in a spray can in the future,because it dries without leaving any residue behind.

Carb cleaners usually contain a lubricant that stays in place after it dries,which is not what you want in this application.
Click to expand...

in this case you can reclean it with electrical contact cleaner and no damage done right?
 

bdog9seclx

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Dec 22, 2005
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Jan 6, 2006
#5
  • Jan 6, 2006
  • #5
after i sprayed it with carb cleaner i dipped it in alchohl just in case itd hurt it it fix a big part of my surge problem..i think..is that y u guys cleaned yours was it surging? did it fix it?
 

bobbys9350

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Mar 30, 2005
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Jan 7, 2006
#6
  • Jan 7, 2006
  • #6
it wont hurt it...
 
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8950HO

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Mar 31, 2005
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#7
  • Jan 7, 2006
  • #7
bill302 said:
in this case you can reclean it with electrical contact cleaner and no damage done right?
Click to expand...


Carb cleaner won`t damage the wires,it just leaves a lubricating film behind according to what it says on the can on the carb cleaners I`ve bought in the past.
As long as it removes the black junk off the wires,it`s doing something good,but isn`t the best choice from what I`ve read.

The lubricant these carb cleaners contain as advertised is probably minimal,(If any),the can says it contains a lubricant,but personally,I`ve only seen solvents break down oil and grease and remove/clear it out of the way.How this stuff leaves a lubricating film behind ,but it says it does on the can.
 

Black1987Stang

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Aug 22, 2004
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Jan 7, 2006
#8
  • Jan 7, 2006
  • #8
Carb cleaner leaves deposits but Brake cleaner doesnt, Ive always used electrical cleaner when i cleaned mine though, just in case but now im willing to try some brake cleaner instead since I have some and no electronic cleaner. I would think brake cleaner would work too or is it too strong?
 
S

SamSnyder

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Mar 30, 2005
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Jan 7, 2006
#9
  • Jan 7, 2006
  • #9
Gunk Carb/Choke cleaner worked fine for me on my '90 5.0. No problems. The mass air meter on my LT1 Impala SS clone was a bit more sensitive, and took some time to equalize after I douched it with Gunk, although it also turned out fine after a few minutes.
 

jrichker

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Jan 7, 2006
#10
  • Jan 7, 2006
  • #10
To clean the element, remove it from the MAF housing and spray it down with electronic parts cleaner or non-inflammable brake parts cleaner (same stuff in a bigger can and cheaper too).
 

super302

I'd do anything for free Bapples
May 29, 2004
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Davenport, IA
Jan 7, 2006
#11
  • Jan 7, 2006
  • #11
I use carb cleaner for the MAF and TB, works fine for me
 
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