How to clean the MAF sensor?

I've heard people say to do this, but can someone point me to at least summary instructions?

It's a piece of cake. Disconnect the wire harness and loosen the clamps on either side of the MAF. Unclip the airbox lid so you can lift it, which will give you some wiggle room. Remove the hose from the engine intake side and then remove the MAF from the airbox lid.

I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure you have to remove the aluminum hose adapters to get to the elements. It's held together with 4 torx screws.

I just use Q-tips soaked in isopropyl alcohol to clean mine. Some people use MAF cleaner, but I've heard horror stories from people who use sprays... Plus, almost everyone has Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. Just remove as much dirt as you can, but be extremely careful, as the resistors soldered between the elements are very fragile.

http://aufo.s3.amazonaws.com/maf0.jpg
MAF sensor...

http://aufo.s3.amazonaws.com/maf1.jpg
The elements...

http://aufo.s3.amazonaws.com/maf2.jpg
That's about 8 years of dirt and oil build-up...

http://aufo.s3.amazonaws.com/maf3.jpg
As good as new!

hey tobey good guide!...thanks for the pics

Yeah...Great guide!

I've heard that those elements can be pretty fragile so be careful with the cotton swab. Another way to go, once you have it apart, is to spray them with electronics cleaner (leaves no residue and isn't supposed to eat the parts). That way you don't have to touch the elements and it still gets nice and clean. I found the cleaner at an autoparts store.

...just another option.