MAF sensor
I’d like to clean the MAF sensor on my 2005 Accord 2.4 petrol, but I can’t identify it. I’ve attached a couple of pictures to see if you can spot it. Most sources on Youtube show it attached to the intake trunking just as it leaves the air filter box, but this is not the case on my Honda. However, if you follow the intake trunking from right to left there’s a sensor of some sort just before the throttle body. It doesn’t look big enough to me to be a MAF sensor and I think it may be the MAP sensor. Perhaps you can shed some light on it?
Also, is it possible to clean the throttle body while leaving it in place? Or would it be better to unbolt it and perhaps leave the coolant pipes still attached? I’ve seen people push the throttle valve open and I’m wondering if this is OK as it’s a throttleby-wire system. Would this damage the stepper motor? Many thanks for your advice. Gary Mills
The sensor you can see is the intake air temperature sensor; the MAP sensor is slightly further down and in the inlet manifold. To sense the manifold pressure the sensor has to be on the inlet port side of the throttle body. Your Honda does not have a MAF sensor and the ECU controls the fuel input using data inputted by the throttle body, air intake sensor, MAP sensor, O2 sensors etc.
This of course makes the decision on whether or not to clean the MAF an easy one. You do not mention why you are thinking about cleaning the throttle body, and unless you have specific problems I would leave it in place and use a cleaning spray. If you are having specific problems then perhaps a more thorough clean may be required, but I would still think it unnecessary to start pushing the valve open.
If it is removed you have access to both sides without the need to risk damage by physically moving the butterfly valve.