I used the CRC Cleaner this past weekend. I suppose it works on very sensitive parts, but I noticed when I accidently sprayed a bit on a slightly dirty part of my index finger, the dirt was still there.

I think if you have the wire sensor, which will burn off residue, you can get away with a harsher cleaner. If you have the flat film sensor, which I have, you don;t want any residue left behind.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

HFM/SFI do not have a Hot Wire MAF system.

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A Dalton

Your finger and the sensor are made of different materials I would venture a guess that the dirt "clings" differently to the sensor from your skin, and the cleaner itself has various chemicals which have different effects when encountering your skin.

amosfella, aren't there any car-parts stores near you?

That what I said...HFM is "Hot Film Mas".
If it were a wire sensor, it would be LH/SFI. That would be the V8 system.

CRC MAS/MAF spray cleaner.

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A Dalton

I know, but I still can;t help but wonder... Also, it is guaranteed residue-free, but it left plenty of white spots on the intake pipe, manifold and valve cover (from overspray) when I used it in those areas. That sounds like "residue" to me. (Brake cleaner never did that). But I'm sure it worked OK on the sensor.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Interesting. I've only had experience cleaning "young" MAFS that aren't too dirty. I'm afraid to use brake cleaner, as I've seen what it can do to paint - I know I know, paint is different material from the sensor... "but I still can't help but wonder..." :p

Residue is one reason to be careful of some electrical cleaners, as they may carry "lubricating" material, if one doesn't read the label carefully!