What can I use to clean my AFM?

[nicktheviking]

I'm worried that my AFM is sticking. Is something like CRC's sensor-safe electronic cleaner kosher to use on the AFM flap and surrounding area?

[majicwrench]

Do you know that it is sticking?? Unless you know it is sticking, I would avoid cleaning it. If you are going to clean the housing and flap, just about anythign would work if you keep it out of the electronics, certainly an electircal cleaner would be a safe bet.
Again, unless you know it is sticking I would leave it be, I have not seen many stick. Does it move and return freely by hand??
Keith

[nicktheviking]

I think it is, it'll push in fine but on the way back, it takes a millisecond before it "shuts."

[So Cal Mark]

it should snap shut. If it hangs in ANY position, that's a problem. Carb cleaner is okay, but usually it's a warped flap rather than dirt causing the trouble. Remember that carb cleaner or electrical cleaner will lubricate until it dries, then you've washed any any lubrication away and the parts will not move as freely.

[nicktheviking]

Should I lube it?

[rlux4]

Nick, I noticed when I moved your flap that if didn't move as freely as it should. The plenum that the flap is in is the part that gets gunk built up on it and then the flap will drag on that. I had good luck cleaning mine with carb cleaner and then lubed it with a silicone spray. This is something that should be checked on a rebular basis.
Ron

[nicktheviking]

Nick, I noticed when I moved your flap that if didn't move as freely as it should. The plenum that the flap is in is the part that gets gunk built up on it and then the flap will drag on that. I had good luck cleaning mine with carb cleaner and then lubed it with a silicone spray. This is something that should be checked on a rebular basis.
Ron

Thanks, Ron. I'll pick up some silicone lube tonight. I had to tape my coolant sensor down, but now the car runs great.

[rlux4]

That's the most critical sensor. If it isn't working (or has a bad connection) the car will run, but very poorly. I disconnected mine once to see how it would respond, and it was very rough and lacking power.
Great that you got it running well. I'll bet your wife is happy!
Have you got the rigged up wiring in solid now?
Ron

[nicktheviking]

That's the most critical sensor. If it isn't working (or has a bad connection) the car will run, but very poorly. I disconnected mine once to see how it would respond, and it was very rough and lacking power.
Great that you got it running well. I'll bet your wife is happy!
Have you got the rigged up wiring in solid now?
Ron

Yep, I soldered in some heavy gauge wire with a 10 amp inline bus fuse, in a weatherproof holder. Zip-tied most of the wiring up out of the way. I'll clean it all up when I replace the dash. The car runs like a dream now. Just have to get a new connector from Mark for the coolant sensor.