MAF Sensor Cleaning

[Gamb1t]

Didn't notice any DIY on MAF cleaning for our X1s.

Complexity: Easy. As in easier than making Ramen noodles.
Tools: Torx head screw driver, CRC cleaner, plier
Frequency: With my other cars I perform this maintenance annually. YMMV.
Why bother? Clean MAF = Accurate air flow readouts = Accurate A/F calcs = Improved performance and mileage = Happy Bimmer = Happier You.
Disclaimer: If you screw up, it's your fault.

Steps:

1. Pop over the hood
2. Unclip the MAF sensor wire harness. I used a plier to help. Grippy fingers help... mine are a too callous or I have weak finger muscles.
3. Unscrew the torx screw. Please becareful to not drop them!
4. Tenderly lift the Bosch MAF sensor out
5. Gently tap it sideways to fling off any loose particles.
6. Spray some CRC cleaner on the silver plates and let dry.
7. Reverse order for installation.
8. Optional: You can apply some rubber lube on the rubber seal if you like.
9. Celebrate with a bowl of Miso Ramen.

You can visit F30 or F-whatever forums for photos.

[jaeezzy]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Didn't notice any DIY on MAF cleaning for our X1s.

Complexity: Easy. As in easier than making Ramen noodles.
Tools: Torx head screw driver, CRC cleaner, plier
Frequency: With my other cars I perform this maintenance annually. YMMV.
Why bother? Clean MAF = Accurate air flow readouts = Accurate A/F calcs = Improved performance and mileage = Happy Bimmer = Happier You.
Disclaimer: If you screw up, it's your fault.

Steps:

1. Pop over the hood
2. Unclip the MAF sensor wire harness. I used a plier to help. Grippy fingers help... mine are a too callous or I have weak finger muscles.
3. Unscrew the torx screw. Please becareful to not drop them!
4. Tenderly lift the Bosch MAF sensor out
5. Gently tap it sideways to fling off any loose particles.
6. Spray some CRC cleaner on the silver plates and let dry.
7. Reverse order for installation.
8. Optional: You can apply some rubber lube on the rubber seal if you like.
9. Celebrate with a bowl of Miso Ramen.

You can visit F30 or F-whatever forums for photos.

Removing wire harness turned out to be challenging for me as I've never done this before is there any clip that needs to be depresses while taking it off as I just tried with my fingers and it wouldn't come off. I see there's something going on at the back of it. Tried depressing there and pulled but without success. Didn't wanna break anything and thought using pliers will be even more risky esp for the plastic housing of the harness.. Any advice? BTW mine is diesel if that makes any difference. Thanks

[jaeezzy]

Here's the harness and the back of it..

[Gamb1t]

Yours is different from us petrol models. Mine was quite easy to remove with bare fingers. Should work the same as these wire harnesses use plastic clips. Try pinching and pull.

[jaeezzy]

Finally got it off.. I had to remove the air filter cover and the clamp to take the MAF housing out so that I can access the back of the wire connector. I had to press the white clip to unlock it and then I was able to pull the connector out. However, it turned out that my air filter needed cleaning more than the MAF sensor as there were dried leaf, dead bugs etc stuck in the filter lol.. I wanted to take the pic but didn't have my mobile with me

[Gamb1t]

Sure sounds more complicated than petrol versions.
I notice due to the design and location of the air intake, it will get much dirtier than other cars where the inlet is either tucked in the fender well or angled. The X1s is right at the sweet spot of insect flight altitude.

Anyway removal and cleaning of the air intake box is easy. Make sure you wipe the tubing too. Since you're in Australia.... just watch for those killer spiders! Crikey!

[jaeezzy]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Sure sounds more complicated than petrol versions.
I notice due to the design and location of the air intake, it will get much dirtier than other cars where the inlet is either tucked in the fender well or angled. The X1s is right at the sweet spot of insect flight altitude.

Anyway removal and cleaning of the air intake box is easy. Make sure you wipe the tubing too. Since you're in Australia.... just watch for those killer spiders! Crikey!

lucky there were no live spiders in the filter waiting to pounce on me lol.. I can already feel better pedal response now. Looks like a lot of air was getting blocked.

[fiehlsport]

If you're using a stock paper air filter, it's a looooongshot that the MAF is getting any contaminants on it at all from the outside world. Maybe a good thing to do at 100K, but unless something is broken or leaking on the intake tract, I can't see a reason to do this at all until a check engine light pops at 150,000 miles.

[jaeezzy]

Originally Posted by burnout8488

If you're using a stock paper air filter, it's a looooongshot that the MAF is getting any contaminants on it at all from the outside world. Maybe a good thing to do at 100K, but unless something is broken or leaking on the intake tract, I can't see a reason to do this at all until a check engine light pops at 150,000 miles.

strangely enough I'd the engine light come up twice with a week interval at around 57000 kms and it was saying air flow meter signal code: 003ff1 on both occurrences along with power management closed-circuit protection quiescent current of injury code: 004737

[fiehlsport]

Originally Posted by jaeezzy

strangely enough I'd the engine light come up twice with a week interval at around 57000 kms and it was saying air flow meter signal code: 003ff1 on both occurrences along with power management closed-circuit protection quiescent current of injury code: 004737

It's always possible for a MAF to fail prematurely because it's German, too.

If only BMW used Denso (Japanese) electronics!

[Leodent]

What cause the engine filter housing box to vibrate and noise? Has the
dirty MAF sensor something to do with that? That happens to my 2013 X1.