Has anyone ever cleaned their MAF sensor (mass air flow) on their 4G TL? If so, was it a difficult task? Any special tools required? Thank you.

 

Why? Trouble with intake?

 

5 sec job. I've done mine. I went to Amazon.com and got CRC MAF clearer. Just unscrew the two screws and spray. Put the MAF back end and let it dry overnight. Good to go. I cleaned mine at 20K miles only because I had to clean the MAF in my Miata. I have a CAI and the sensor was dirty after 20K miles. While I was cleaning I did the TL and my Nissan pickup as well. Again, very easy to do.

 

I read somewhere that TLs do not have a MAF sensor? I'm inquiring specifically about '09-'13 4G TL SH-AWD. Do those have a mass air flow (MAF) sensor? Or is the sensor of a different kind?

 

all modern vehicles have MAF sensor.... -__________-......

 

I think the TL has a different type of sensor than cars that have the "hot wire" Type. But I'm not positive and too lazy to look it up on google.

 

I tried to look it up on google with no success. Well... is the sensor sticking out in the middle of the intake airstream with its sensing element exposed? If so... I'm gonna clean it because I'm getting horrible gas mileage and hear some 'tin can' rattle when I give the car heavy throttle.

 

How often does this need to be done?

 

Be sure it is not poor gas. I try not to run the inexpensive gas. In the end, it will cost you more.
Give her a couple of tank fulls of 76, Chevron or Shell. that cheap stuff from the no-name guys or grocery chains is really hard on the car and gives questionable octaine ratings.

 

Nevermind, TL is a standard slip in MF21130N Hot Wire like my RDX. Not much to clean in there. It is specifically designed to not pick up particulate and probably just a waste of time to try and clean it.

 

^^exactly..

well it does need cleaning.. at like 60k lol.. usually they dont go bad..

 

I've been feeding her nothing but 93 octane Shell V-Power for the past 2 months. But I always get this noise... when I put my foot down heavy on the throttle from full stop or just off a roll... sounds like a diesel-like metallic rattling... kinda like rattling marbles in a tin can.

I tend to hear this same noise alot in those crown victoria taxi cabs in NYC... any idea on what's causing this noise? I swear it started after I got an oil change from an Acura dealership... but I might be wrong. Another dealership already inspected it for a loose exhaust heat shield or something... to no success.

 

sounds to me like you have an exhaust leak at the manifold...does it sound like its on the outside of the engine? Had a ford with some sheered off studs that was making a sound like you're describing. It was quite audible during acceleration.

 

It's not VERY loud. From the interior, it is quite muted and only happens under heavy acceleration. It's more noticeable when I have windows down and I'm driving through a narrow road with buildings on the sides, reflecting sounds and amplifying.

 

 

Sound like engine pinging to me. Try changing gas brands

 

That's what I was thinking, or something odd like a rock rattling around in the heat sheild...etc.

 

These engines should NEVER ping. If it is engine knock, there is something really wrong.

 

It's pretty easy to discern between a noise coming from the outside or inside the engine. Get someone to rev up your car while standing next to the engine compartment.

 

I agree 100% with this statement. I use BP 93 octane and the vehicle runs great!

 

You know what? Now that I think about it... I've done that test before and I don't hear the pinging noise when car is in PARK or NEUTRAL and I rev it up. It's only in DRIVE when car is actually moving and engaged to powertrain.

 

Pinging only happens under load. Its happens when the fuel ignites before its suppose to, hence the rattle.

 

I also have done this with previous cars and it is considered fairly normal prudent maintenance. I have not looked at the MAF on the TL yet but with previous cars there was always a warning to be careful not to actually touch the delicate wires.

By the way, the stuff dries almost instantly so there is no need to have to wait overnight--it basically dries in 30 seconds and you are good to go.

 

Agree with Dwest0123, all these symptoms indicate that your engine is knocking/pinging under load.