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How to clean MAF under $10 w pics

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Old 08-29-2008, 07:41 PM
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Thanks ryant, will try out your method once it stops raining here.
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Old 08-30-2008, 02:18 AM
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Need help asap. So i have everythin i need to clean the MAF and I was looking at ur pics and my bolts that hold the MAF are the same except one thing...theres small metal things in the middle of the bolt preventing the torx driver from mating with the bolt. Its almost as if u need a special drill bit or something to take off those bolts.

Its hard to show explain w/o pics, but does any1 else have this problem and where can i go to get this "special" tool to take off those 2 bolts?

~2000 Maxima GXE~
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Old 08-30-2008, 05:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Japican
Need help asap. So i have everythin i need to clean the MAF and I was looking at ur pics and my bolts that hold the MAF are the same except one thing...theres small metal things in the middle of the bolt preventing the torx driver from mating with the bolt. Its almost as if u need a special drill bit or something to take off those bolts.

Its hard to show explain w/o pics, but does any1 else have this problem and where can i go to get this "special" tool to take off those 2 bolts?

~2000 Maxima GXE~
is there a small pin thing in the middle of the screw? if there is, that's a Security TORX screw which looks like this.

you will need special screwdriver to screw it out, which should be looking like this one.
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Old 08-30-2008, 07:53 AM
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Yes thats exactly it. Where would I be able to find this specific torx security driver?
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Old 08-30-2008, 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Japican
Yes thats exactly it. Where would I be able to find this specific torx security driver?
local autozone?
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Old 08-30-2008, 08:57 AM
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I'm still not really noticing a difference. Maybe they put a brand new on in it when I got it
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Old 08-30-2008, 09:02 AM
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Nope, they said its actually very difficult to find. I called the local Nissan dealership and they they had one, but wouldnt let me use it lol. They too said its very difficult to find. This is starting to aggravate me
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Old 08-30-2008, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Japican
Nope, they said its actually very difficult to find. I called the local Nissan dealership and they they had one, but wouldnt let me use it lol. They too said its very difficult to find. This is starting to aggravate me
My next guess would be Home Depot then
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Old 08-30-2008, 09:55 AM
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I found this at my local harbor freight for $9

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91310



Originally Posted by PhalC1
My next guess would be Home Depot then
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Old 08-30-2008, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Japican
Yes thats exactly it. Where would I be able to find this specific torx security driver?
I had the same problem. I ended up having to buy a little kit of heads from Autozone. I think it ran me like $7 for the heads kit. Aggravating to say the least.
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Old 08-30-2008, 06:41 PM
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Pepboys should definitely have it. I got mines from their for $13, bought a little box with a few extra tools in it.
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Old 08-30-2008, 07:40 PM
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im doin this tomorrow, hopefully i dont have a security torx screw like some of you guys
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Old 08-30-2008, 10:42 PM
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If you can't find the security torx screw bit you can remote the entire air box and clean the MAF inside the tube through the screen. That's what I did since I didn't know I could remove the MAF itself.
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Old 08-31-2008, 12:25 AM
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time to clean mines since i just replaced my MAF sensor with a used one. I know my man from firestone let me used the torx screw so i could replace my MAF the other day. Maybe if you ask someone nicely they'll let u used it lol

Last edited by AznTran517; 08-31-2008 at 12:29 AM.
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Old 08-31-2008, 09:04 AM
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Hey Ryant I have a question, I removed my connector today using the advice you gave me. Everything turned out great until taking out the MAF. It would not budge a bit and I tried using force to pull it up and even with a wrench it wouldn't move. I tried your "turn it 90 degrees" but it doesnt turn as well. Will I damage my MAF if I use too much force into taking the thing out? Also, is the "you can remote the entire air box and clean the MAF inside the tube through the screen" just as effective as cleaning the MAF itself? Since I am having a very hard time taking out my MAF, should I resort to cleaning the air box?
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Old 08-31-2008, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevin319
Hey Ryant I have a question, I removed my connector today using the advice you gave me. Everything turned out great until taking out the MAF. It would not budge a bit and I tried using force to pull it up and even with a wrench it wouldn't move. I tried your "turn it 90 degrees" but it doesnt turn as well. Will I damage my MAF if I use too much force into taking the thing out? Also, is the "you can remote the entire air box and clean the MAF inside the tube through the screen" just as effective as cleaning the MAF itself? Since I am having a very hard time taking out my MAF, should I resort to cleaning the air box?
It worked great for me, the MAF cleaner as a lot of pressure, so spraying through the screen at between the MAF tube & air box isn't a problem. After removing the air box there are 4 bolts that hold on the MAF tube.

So may be able to remove these 4 bolts with out removing the air box, but I've never tried it.
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Old 08-31-2008, 10:13 AM
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Thanks again Ryant, I got someone else to remove the MAF for me and it seems he can do it without putting any effort into it. After cleaning the MAF and reconnecting the connectors, my car would not start. So I guess I have to do the ECU reset/Idle relearn procedures?

Edit: I searched the sticky threads but they did not have a ECU reset procedures for a 2000 Maxima, is their an ECU reset procedures for 2000?

Last edited by Kevin319; 08-31-2008 at 10:22 AM.
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Old 08-31-2008, 10:58 AM
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ummm... I don't know, mine has started fine after the 2 times I've done this...
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Old 08-31-2008, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevin319
Thanks again Ryant, I got someone else to remove the MAF for me and it seems he can do it without putting any effort into it. After cleaning the MAF and reconnecting the connectors, my car would not start. So I guess I have to do the ECU reset/Idle relearn procedures?

Edit: I searched the sticky threads but they did not have a ECU reset procedures for a 2000 Maxima, is their an ECU reset procedures for 2000?
yeah, 2000s are easy. just simply unplug the battery.
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Old 08-31-2008, 01:39 PM
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Unplug and replug will reset the ECU? Thanks for the info.
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Old 09-02-2008, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevin319
Unplug and replug will reset the ECU? Thanks for the info.
So did it work?
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Old 09-04-2008, 08:19 AM
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I performed this procedure last night and it worked well. At the same time changed the oil and air filter and so far, 60 miles later and no SES light anymore.

Quick question though....after I re-installed the MAF when I plugged in the the wire harness there was no "click" and I could easily pull the connection back apart. Is this normal?

My car is a 2000 I30-t.

NOTE: You can buy the "security" Torx wrench in a set that looks like allen wrenches from Autozone for $10.
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Old 09-04-2008, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 00gxe5sp
I performed this procedure last night and it worked well. At the same time changed the oil and air filter and so far, 60 miles later and no SES light anymore.

Quick question though....after I re-installed the MAF when I plugged in the the wire harness there was no "click" and I could easily pull the connection back apart. Is this normal?

My car is a 2000 I30-t.

NOTE: You can buy the "security" Torx wrench in a set that looks like allen wrenches from Autozone for $10.
the socket should have locked when you pluged in.
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Old 09-04-2008, 06:26 PM
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i did this on my 2003 se. certainly noticed things smoothed out a bit. Less bucking in 1st when it's cold (as in almost none), smoother start and idle, better low end but REALLY noticed a difference around 4k. I was like "oh hello there, mid range power" Now i wanna do a grounding kit and an o2 sim for my bad post y-pipe sensor. stupid 4 sensor setup.
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Old 09-04-2008, 09:25 PM
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Yes! Finally. After doing this procedure I finally cured my inconsistant idle problem. I put a new '06 6spd tranny in my '02 and since then my idle was low and even stalling when putting in the clutch. It was like it just went too low then died. It got a little better over the summer but still idled around 200rpm. After cleaning the maf my idle is now around 800 and consistant!! Very happy!!
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Old 09-04-2008, 09:48 PM
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wait, i thought only peple with 15 posts could post anywhere but the 'noob questions' thread. Glad that this fized your problems regardless
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Old 09-04-2008, 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Mattlikespeoples
wait, i thought only peple with 15 posts could post anywhere but the 'noob questions' thread. Glad that this fized your problems regardless
It's been a while since I've been a noob, but I thought it was no new threads for 15 posts... unless the rules changed.
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Old 09-07-2008, 11:53 AM
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Im in Toronto, Canada, anyone know what store i can purchase it from? ( the CNC MAF cleaner)??
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Old 09-07-2008, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by makaveli_13
Im in Toronto, Canada, anyone know what store i can purchase it from? ( the CNC MAF cleaner)??
What auto parts stores do you have up there?

I did a quick Google maps search and found Napa stores but I cannot find the MAF Cleaner on their website. You may have to order it online.

Last edited by ryant35; 09-07-2008 at 01:20 PM.
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Old 09-07-2008, 03:19 PM
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I am going to try this tomorrow. My bog has gotten bad and my idle makes it feel like a diesel..
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Old 09-07-2008, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ryant35
What auto parts stores do you have up there?

I did a quick Google maps search and found Napa stores but I cannot find the MAF Cleaner on their website. You may have to order it online.


i have (that i know of/visited in the past) Candian Tire, which is a Huge auto store, napa, part source... those are the main three.

and btw thanks for looking.
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Old 09-07-2008, 06:49 PM
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My MAF had the security torx bolt too....i just used a vice grip and it came out easy
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Old 09-10-2008, 07:18 AM
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So after a week of searching i finally found the security lock for those 2 stupid bolts @ Murrays, but it was def worth the search. After cleaning my friends MAF her car no longer stalls or stumbles. It still roughly idles at times, but cleaning the MAF def made a huge difference. She is extremely grateful that she didnt have to take her car into a shop and get it fixed for $xxx.xx
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Old 09-10-2008, 07:25 AM
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can i use the CRC QD Electronics Parts Cleaner? Is that the same as CRC MAF cleaner?
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Old 09-10-2008, 09:08 AM
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If im hearing this right when you unplug the battery and replug it back in afterwards thats an ecu reset? Anyone have the reset or learn procedure. I dont have a problem with the MAF but maybe I'm missing some power because it hasnt been cleaned?
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Old 09-10-2008, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by fuctkeen
can i use the CRC QD Electronics Parts Cleaner? Is that the same as CRC MAF cleaner?
As long as it says MAF cleaner you should be ok. I'm sure they wouldnt put any harmful things in the cleaners when it comes to a MAF cleaner
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Old 09-10-2008, 08:29 PM
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ok, i think i need to do the relearn procedure. I'm getting worse (not terrible) MPG and it's not performing quite how it was right after i did this. Doesn't make too much sense but my SES light went off. Maybe I'm running rich or something.
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Old 09-11-2008, 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by fuctkeen
can i use the CRC QD Electronics Parts Cleaner? Is that the same as CRC MAF cleaner?
The MAF cleaner smells like electronics part cleaner, but I would just get the MAF cleaner. It's not worth saving a couple of bucks considering what a new MAF costs.
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Old 09-11-2008, 07:54 AM
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Originally Posted by ryant35
The MAF cleaner smells like electronics part cleaner, but I would just get the MAF cleaner. It's not worth saving a couple of bucks considering what a new MAF costs.

it's the same price, but all they had was the "QD Electronics Part Cleaner" at Wal-Mart.
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Old 09-11-2008, 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Mattlikespeoples
ok, i think i need to do the relearn procedure. I'm getting worse (not terrible) MPG and it's not performing quite how it was right after i did this. Doesn't make too much sense but my SES light went off. Maybe I'm running rich or something.
did you resinstall the MAF correctly?
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