Old timer at the shop swore by brake cleaner for cleaning MAF sensors, I called him crazy

So last month I was working on a 2014 Ford Focus that kept throwing a P0101 code. Had this crusty old mechanic, probably 60 years in the game, walk over and grab my can of brake cleaner. He said 'kid, this is better than that fancy MAF spray you got.' I laughed and told him no way, everyone knows brake cleaner eats through plastic and rubber. He just shrugged and said 'not if you let it dry before you start the car.' I was desperate after two days of chasing vacuum leaks, so I gave it a shot. Let that intake air temp sensor sit for a solid 20 minutes after spraying it down. Put it back in, cleared the code, and the thing ran smooth as butter. No damage, no issues. Now I'm wondering if I've been wasting money on MAF cleaner for the last five years. Has anyone else tried this or am I the only one who got proven wrong by an old timer with a grease rag?

2 comments

2 Comments

charles9192d ago

Did you check the sensor element afterwards for any white residue or did it come out completely clean? Ive heard mixed things about non-chlorinated brake cleaner vs the chlorinated stuff and how it interacts with the plastic housing. Also curious if you tested the sensor with a multimeter before and after to see if the resistance values changed at all.

shane_wilson2d ago

Nah man I gotta hard disagree on this one. That old timer got lucky, and you're gonna learn the hard way eventually. Brake cleaner is designed to cut through grease and brake dust, not delicate electronics. Even if it didn't show damage right away, that stuff can leave a residue that messes with the sensor's readings over time, especially when it heats up and gets sticky. I've seen people fry their MAF sensors doing exactly this, and then they're out $150 for a new one plus the labor. MAF cleaner is specifically formulated to evaporate completely and not leave any film behind, that's the whole point of spending extra money on it. Plus the plastic housing on those Ford Focus sensors is notoriously brittle, one little crack from the wrong solvent and you're chasing vacuum leaks again for a week.