MAF Sensor CLEAN'D on my N55

FrankiE90 · 02-17-2011, 04:54 PM

Just got done clean'n my MAF sensor.

It's around that time for service when they change ur
air filter and oil. And with my N55 I'm rocking Harold's foam filter.
so i don't need a new filter just need to clean it and recharge.
but i do need to look at the MAF sensor.

There were concerns of oil residue build up because i'm
using a foam filter and better than wait for any kind of
potential build up, I figured why not clean the sensor on a regular
basis.

pick'd up a bottle of CRC MASS AIR FLOW cleaner and
did some cleaning.

When i first pulled off the sensor, i made sure to look for
any sign of oil - didn't see any. The sensor appear'd to be
clean without heavy blotches of dirt or oil stains.
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Name: IMG_3474.JPG
Views: 16146
Size: 55.2 KB

drove it around after the cleaning, and i have to say
it does feel better. It's simple to do and I don't see why
I wouldn't continue to clean the MAF sensor after every oil change.

i figured this would be pretty good maintenance practice
so i did a DIY.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...46#post8937746

creaminz · 02-17-2011, 05:25 PM

What happens when you have dirty MAF sensor? Or Cracked MAP sensor housing?

P.S. White Lexus IS w/Gold rims?

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-17-2011, 05:27 PM

Dirty Maf -Inaccurate reading of air, results in poor gas mileage and performance.

As far as cracked map sensor housing? Be more specific? What part is cracked?

creaminz · 02-17-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSlick

Dirty Maf -Inaccurate reading of air, results in poor gas mileage and performance.

As far as cracked map sensor housing? Be more specific? What part is cracked?

One that attached to the STETT Chargepipe on N54. I noticed that piece has crack. Also clip was broken as well, connector is connected but not secured properly. That MIGHT be the reason why I was loosing power even with Meth? Does loose/cracked MAF sensor housing cause any noise while driving? Whistle, humming ect. ?

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-17-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaminz

One that attached to the STETT Chargepipe on N54. I noticed that piece has crack. Also clip was broken as well, connector is connected but not secured properly. That MIGHT be the reason why I was loosing power even with Meth? Does loose/cracked MAF sensor housing cause any noise while driving? Whistle, humming ect. ?

I'd imagine if air can escape you could be getting some false readings, as well as a boost leak. I would look into a replacement perhaps. If its a potentially leaking boost, it may hiss/whistle. Not all boost/vac leaks make noise though.

creaminz · 02-17-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSlick

I'd imagine if air can escape you could be getting some false readings, as well as a boost leak. I would look into a replacement perhaps. If its a potentially leaking boost, it may hiss/whistle. Not all boost leaks make noise though.

Ye as soon as I saw the crack, I placed an order with Tischer (Jason & Evan are great guys btw). However, no codes/SES were thrown. If replacing MAF sensor fixes my anonymous whistle at 1/3 throttle then I will be soooooo stoked

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-17-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaminz

Ye as soon as I saw the crack, I placed an order with Tischer (Jason & Evan are great guys btw). However, no codes/SES were thrown. If replacing MAF sensor fixes my anonymous whistle at 1/3 throttle then I will be soooooo stoked

Def a good move on replacement. Sounds like it may have been over-tightened or just muscled the wrong way during installation.

creaminz · 02-17-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSlick

Def a good move on replacement. Sounds like it may have been over-tightened or just muscled the wrong way during installation.

Probably happend during Turbo swap but it's okay. Will report back once I replace it with new MAF sensor

lpphreakx06 · 02-17-2011, 06:09 PM

Looks good, might want to do this to my n54.

FrankiE90 · 02-17-2011, 06:13 PM

only u and Ivan pointed out that
Lexus IS-F,... baller at my work w/ the f'd up exhaust tips.

not gold wheels - just bright sunset.

JPSlick answer'd 4 me, thanks.

IcebergM4 · 02-17-2011, 06:49 PM

Thanks for this DIY Frankie!

My mpg has gone to sh!t and this could be the reason since I drive fairly conservatively.

WilliamE92 · 02-17-2011, 08:32 PM

y u so maf tho?

CPWINCH · 02-21-2011, 10:51 PM

can bmw do it for you?

Welcome to NBA Jam · 07-12-2015, 08:52 PM

Just did this today. It greatly improved my idle! I recommend everyone do this if you experience an inconsistent idle, especially if you have an oiled air filter. I also applied a very small film of dielectric grease on a new o-ring. It helps the o-ring seal, and prevents binding when putting the MAF back in.

Just don't forget to plug the MAF back in, otherwise you'll be sitting there wondering why your car is stalling after giving it some gas, then have to let it idle for a while to remove the CEL because your OBD cable broke

wgknestrick · 07-13-2015, 11:36 AM

Normal brake cleaner works fine on these too. They monitor air flow by keeping the center block at a set temperature and monitoring how much voltage is required on the heater to keep it at temperature. The more airflow, the more cooling on block due to convection. The dirt acts as an insulator and can offset the flow readings.

No chance for boost leak as this is pre turbo compressor.

02-17-2011, 04:54 PM	#1
FrankiE90 Major General 669 Rep 8,800 Posts Drives: Krooked Sk8board Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pasadena, Ca iTrader: (11)	MAF Sensor CLEAN'D on my N55 \| DIY included Just got done clean'n my MAF sensor. It's around that time for service when they change ur air filter and oil. And with my N55 I'm rocking Harold's foam filter. so i don't need a new filter just need to clean it and recharge. but i do need to look at the MAF sensor. There were concerns of oil residue build up because i'm using a foam filter and better than wait for any kind of potential build up, I figured why not clean the sensor on a regular basis. pick'd up a bottle of CRC MASS AIR FLOW cleaner and did some cleaning. When i first pulled off the sensor, i made sure to look for any sign of oil - didn't see any. The sensor appear'd to be clean without heavy blotches of dirt or oil stains. drove it around after the cleaning, and i have to say it does feel better. It's simple to do and I don't see why I wouldn't continue to clean the MAF sensor after every oil change. i figured this would be pretty good maintenance practice so i did a DIY. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...46#post8937746 __________________ FrankiE90 AKA:.[The TANK] *CLICK THE SIG E90s (been gone but not forgotten) • KW clubsports • • • • • • • • • • 18" BBS GT4 // Build E30 (pending) + E46 M3 Wagon ESTORIL Blue
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02-17-2011, 05:25 PM	#2
creaminz Major General 555 Rep 7,704 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (33)	What happens when you have dirty MAF sensor? Or Cracked MAP sensor housing? P.S. White Lexus IS w/Gold rims?
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02-17-2011, 05:27 PM	#3
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3467 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	Dirty Maf -Inaccurate reading of air, results in poor gas mileage and performance. As far as cracked map sensor housing? Be more specific? What part is cracked?
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02-17-2011, 06:09 PM	#9
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 324 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	Looks good, might want to do this to my n54. __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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02-17-2011, 06:13 PM	#10
FrankiE90 Major General 669 Rep 8,800 Posts Drives: Krooked Sk8board Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pasadena, Ca iTrader: (11)	only u and Ivan pointed out that Lexus IS-F,... baller at my work w/ the f'd up exhaust tips. not gold wheels - just bright sunset. JPSlick answer'd 4 me, thanks. __________________ FrankiE90 AKA:.[The TANK] CLICK THE SIG E90s (been gone but not forgotten) • KW clubsports • • • • • • • • • • 18" BBS GT4 // Build E30 (pending) + E46 M3 Wagon ESTORIL Blue Last edited by FrankiE90; 02-17-2011 at 07:00 PM..*
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02-17-2011, 06:49 PM	#11
IcebergM4 Major 368 Rep 1,060 Posts Drives: '23 M4C Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoFlo iTrader: (1)	Thanks for this DIY Frankie! My mpg has gone to sh!t and this could be the reason since I drive fairly conservatively.
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02-17-2011, 08:32 PM	#12
WilliamE92 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 318 Posts Drives: 2013 EB F30 335 MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	y u so maf tho?
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02-21-2011, 10:51 PM	#13
CPWINCH Brigadier General 741 Rep 4,635 Posts Drives: Toyota Prius Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	can bmw do it for you? __________________ Follow my BMW instagram @CARMODIFICATION Let me know you are from bimmerpost and i'll follow back
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07-12-2015, 08:52 PM	#14
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3893 Rep 5,111 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Just did this today. It greatly improved my idle! I recommend everyone do this if you experience an inconsistent idle, especially if you have an oiled air filter. I also applied a very small film of dielectric grease on a new o-ring. It helps the o-ring seal, and prevents binding when putting the MAF back in. Just don't forget to plug the MAF back in, otherwise you'll be sitting there wondering why your car is stalling after giving it some gas, then have to let it idle for a while to remove the CEL because your OBD cable broke Last edited by Welcome to NBA Jam; 07-12-2015 at 08:58 PM..
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07-13-2015, 11:36 AM	#15
wgknestrick Private First Class 44 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2011 335 xdrive Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Lancaster PA iTrader: (0)	Normal brake cleaner works fine on these too. They monitor air flow by keeping the center block at a set temperature and monitoring how much voltage is required on the heater to keep it at temperature. The more airflow, the more cooling on block due to convection. The dirt acts as an insulator and can offset the flow readings. No chance for boost leak as this is pre turbo compressor.
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