LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Cleaned MAF Sensor on my 98 and ..

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Old 02-10-13 | 10:21 AM
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Default Cleaned MAF Sensor on my 98 and ..

.. I'm getting about 2 more mpg

Evidently it's safe to clean the 1998-2000 LS400 with CRC MAF Sensor Cleaner since it isn't the Karman Vortex type of the earlier LS400's. Sure enough it has TINY little hot wires in it -- which you can see if you hold it up in the light just right.

I did just over 15 sprays of the CRC MAF Sensor Cleaner holding it almost upside down so the fluid drains back out. I also squirted it in from the sides a bit to clean the "gills"

I don't know how close you guys spray your 98-2000 maf sensor, but I had the tip of the red spray straw about right at the end / entrance of the maf sensor. I had it backed off even further than that but figured I could get it a little cleaner by getting a little closer. Though, I was worried about the force of the spray damaging the wires but it turned out ok--THIS TIME.

Last edited by ls400geek; 02-10-13 at 10:27 AM.
Old 02-10-13 | 11:16 AM
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Good to hear! So how many mpg do you get on the streets?
Old 02-10-13 | 01:04 PM
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I was getting like 15 1/4 mpg now getting 17.2 mpg in the streets.
Old 02-11-13 | 10:34 AM
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Will doing this also improve the mpg on a 1995 Celsior/LS400?
Old 02-11-13 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Dutchy
Will doing this also improve the mpg on a 1995 Celsior/LS400?
I don't know what 90-97 LS400's owner's can do for thier car since it is a Karman Vortex MAF. They are very sensitive and have read numerous threads about their MAF not performing properly after using CRC MAF Cleaner on it.
Old 02-11-13 | 01:05 PM
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It was only pre October 1994 LS400s that had the KV MAFS so models after this should benefit from the cleaning.
Old 02-11-13 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ls400geek
I don't know what 90-97 LS400's owner's can do for thier car since it is a Karman Vortex MAF. They are very sensitive and have read numerous threads about their MAF not performing properly after using CRC MAF Cleaner on it.
If you have a Karman Vortex MAF don't touch it. You don't want to spray anything on that.
Old 02-11-13 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by ls400geek
I was getting like 15 1/4 mpg now getting 17.2 mpg in the streets.
i would think your 98 would get better mpg than 17.5 since you have an extra gear. i get 18mpg city in my 97, with a dirty MAF.
Old 02-11-13 | 01:46 PM
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Timmy, I still have to clean my throttle body. And *possibly* replace ECT sensor and ECU capacitors. I do have about 80lbs in the trunk too, that I need to put in storage.

The plugs are 60k miles old (6 years old) but the dealership said they're good for 120k.

Anyways, regardless, I'm happy I am getting 2 more mpg after cleaning my MAF sensor

Last edited by ls400geek; 02-11-13 at 01:56 PM.
Old 02-11-13 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ls400geek
I was getting like 15 1/4 mpg now getting 17.2 mpg in the streets.
So the the improvement is 12.8%. Congratulations on your success.
In my case on my 98 Celsior, it was a little less than 10% and your result is a bit better.
Old 02-11-13 | 06:01 PM
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The vvti's love high octane too. Best mileage I have seen is when I run 93 and a bottle of Lucas product, which is similar to an octane boost but with other additives. If you have not tried it try it out. I can really feel a difference with the Lucas product. I like their stuff.

Has anyone ever looked at how the stock computer handles over 93 octane? I wonder if it can advance the timing more with high octane fuel. Put a little jet fuel in there and see what happens.

Last edited by Lavrishevo; 02-11-13 at 06:16 PM.
Old 02-12-13 | 10:18 AM
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octane 93?? The lowest we have is 95. Best we have is 98. germany even has 102 !
Old 02-12-13 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by steve2006
It was only pre October 1994 LS400s that had the KV MAFS so models after this should benefit from the cleaning.
So i could clean it with the special MAF cleaning stuff? Sure about the year? I have a 95 model.
Old 02-12-13 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Dutchy
octane 93?? The lowest we have is 95. Best we have is 98. germany even has 102 !
the way most european countries calculate octane is different from the US. The US, Canada, and a couple other countries use R+M/2 instead of just the RON number.

for example, 98 Super in europe is ~93-94 octane in the US. Ultra 94 in canada is ~102octane RON in europe.

Aral Ultimate 102 in Germany (RON) with a supposed MON of 88 yields a US rating of 95 octane.
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