MAF questions

[David Cooley]

I have a question on MAF sensors in general.
My 97 Explorer 5.0 is MAF, and the design of the Ford MAF is kind of off 
from what I'm used to on GM's.  It is a large bore with a sample tube in 
the middle (Actually open to the front of the maf in the top inside, flows 
straight down 90 deg. to main flow, then out the back into the flow of air 
again).  Just behind the inlet to the sample tube is the sensor elements... 
Look like light bulb filaments.  One in the air stream and one back up a 
bit so it's not in the direct flow of air.  I assume they either use a 
constant current generator and monitor voltage across the elements (one for 
reference) or constant voltage and monitor current.  The problem is, they 
are EXTREMELY sensitive to contamination...  I put in a K&N airfilter 6 
months ago, and every 1000-2000 miles, I have to clean the MAF elements to 
make it run right...  The last time, before I cleaned it, I was monitoring 
it with Alex's OBD-2 scantool...  at 5000 RPM and WOT, I was flowing about 
95 g/s air (definitely too low, thought the software for the scantool was 
wrong!).  Engine pinged like mad at anything over 1/2 throttle. (no knock 
sensor... Thanks ford!) Cleaned the MAF, and ping was gone... Airflow at 
5000 RPM and WOT was 196 g/s.  Is there any way to alleviate the 
contamination problem (short of going to a paper filter or a MAP based EEC)?
Thanks,
Dave

P.S.  Ford Motorsports sells K&N's, so it's not like they don't use them!
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David Cooley N5XMT Internet: N5XMT at bellsouth.net
Packet: N5XMT at KQ4LO.#INT.NC.USA.NA T.A.P.R. Member #7068
We are Borg... Prepare to be assimilated!
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