Mass Air Flow Sensor & Throttle Body Cleaning

[Damian B]

I have a 2010 Yaris 3 door with 29,800 miles on it. I bought it into the dealership to have them check out a rough idle that I've been having and that on occasion it doesnt start if I let it sit for more than a few days. Their response was that I need to have my mass air flow sensor & throttle body cleaned out at a cost of over $100. I thought that seemed a bit odd to have the throttle body cleaned out with such low mileage and didnt think that the mass air flow sensor was something that could be cleaned. Does anyone know anything about this? Does that seem right???

Thanks
Damian B

[toast]

I cleaned mine at around 35,000 and there was quite a bit of carbon build up on the throttle body. $100 at a dealership sounds about right I guess, but the throttle body and maf are pretty easy diy's. Your local auto parts store will have specialized cleaning spray for both. A good fuel cleaner will stretch the need to clean out, but I would think this is regular maintenance for best performance. Just my $0.02

[WeeYari]

http://www.microimageonline.com/forums/showthread.php/530-DIY-clean-MAF-(mass-air-flow-sensor)

[swidd]

So that link covered cleaning the MAF sensor, looks to be very easy... What about the throttle body? Do I just spray instant-dry cleaning spray into the engine air inlet tube?

[auxmike]

I'd like to know about cleaning the throttle body too.
I'm used to removing the whole TB unit and spraying it plus a good scrubbing with a toothbrush. These newer TBs are moved by electronics, not a throttle cable.
My concern is possibly damaging something or dissolving a plastic gear with the solvent.
Also, when your remove the whole part, you avoid shooting all that bad stuff
right into the intake manifold.

[detroiter]

ive cleaned the TB by turning the ignition to the ON position and having someone work the gas pedal. when im not able to get anyone to help, i used a brick to hold the pedal wide open so i can spray and clean it out.

[auxmike]

Intersting idea!
I was hoping to remove the thing and thus keep all that gunk from goin down the intake system....

[slow.yaris]

oh boy... fuel cleaner helps your MAF and/or TB.... that's a new one. Are there any other completely non-connected systems that fuel cleaner will help out with?


And yes auxmixe. You want to take it off to clean it.


Change your air filter properly and neither will need cleaning... ever? (my MAF looked laboratory clean at 80,000 miles)

[jstantherprsn]

throttle body cleaning you can use deep creep without the plastic straw with the engine off and the butterfly valve temporarily opened. Use a toothbrush and a clean rag. When you got it clean, you'll never get it perfect use the remaining 1/2 can while the engine is running. Don't use the plastic straw.

Makes sure before you run it with the rubber boot off that everything is clean with no crud around that could get sucked in. Spray the contents in with the help of a buddy just above idle and with a few high revs. Wah lah you are done.

[yaris2010RS]

i did this on my moms camry recently (almost 300,000km on it) and i did it with the car running and revving to keep it alive. i couldnt believe the smoke that came out and the smell. when i do it on my car i plan to remove the intake system as all the gunk cannot be good for the engine or oil or spark plugs (which is a PITA on a camry) or exhaust or other sensors.....

i did notice the other day when checking my air filter that alot (well more then none) of dust has gotten past my filter and stuck to the side of my air box and inside the pipe.

[swidd]

I just cleaned my MAF sensor... at 85,000 and never before touched, it was still completely clean and looked brand new. Held it over white snow while spraying it with the cleaner, and the dripping "dirty" oil was still clean.

[DaleJrDolphins]

i did this on my moms camry recently (almost 300,000km on it) and i did it with the car running and revving to keep it alive. i couldnt believe the smoke that came out and the smell. when i do it on my car i plan to remove the intake system as all the gunk cannot be good for the engine or oil or spark plugs (which is a PITA on a camry) or exhaust or other sensors.....

i did notice the other day when checking my air filter that alot (well more then none) of dust has gotten past my filter and stuck to the side of my air box and inside the pipe.

Im interested to know if you got any responses on this one? It seems to make sense, although maybe this crap just burns cleanly with the cleaner and smokes out the muffler.....but I TOO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW if it is ill advised to send that stuff through the engine. Thank you
-Brian