More and more drivers are trying to maintain their cars by themselves. This results in considerable cost savings because modern cars require more and more routine service and are done up of more and more technical components that result in new breakdowns or inconveniences. One of the problems that disturbs more and more Audi Q3 owners is a clogged air flow meter, which will result in a loss of power and black exhaust fumes. Today we are going to take a look at how to clean the mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3? . First, we will teach you how your mass airflow sensor functions and its advantages, second, why it might be relevant to clean this sensor , and finally, how to clean the mass air flow sensor of a Audi Q3 .

clean-mass-airflow-sensor-audi-q3

Utility and action of the mass air flow meter of a Audi Q3

.
So we begin our content with the process and aim of your Audi Q3 flowmeter.

The intent of the mass air flow sensor on Audi Q3

The mass air flow sensor is a component that has been developed actually quite not too long ago and principally equipped on diesel models. Obviously, with injection engines, the fuel and air intake has become very precise and it is so necessary for the ECU to know the exact volume of air loaded into the engine to adapt the behaviour of complementary intake parts such as the injection or the EGR valve, if you have problems with the EGR valve on your Audi Q3, do not think twice to consult our content on this subject.

Mass air flow sensor operation on Audi Q3

Now, we are going to check out how it functions, before trying to clean the mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 , you must already understand how it functions to do this routine service work accurately.

The mass air flow sensor is therefore principally there to get data on the air intake of your car. To get this done, it must be fitted just after the air intake of your Audi Q3, i. e. just after the air filter. It is a pipe equipped with a sensor that will analyze the air in the intake and transmit the data to the ECU of your car.

Why clean the mass air flow sensor of a Audi Q3?

The mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 can have problems and this is what we will try to find out and figure out what problems you might be struggling with!

Mass air flow sensor problems Audi Q3

Here are the different problems that the air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 can trigger:

  • higher fuel consumption: Because a dirty flow meter will actually result in more significant fuel consumption due to poor air flow…
  • Power loss: Linked to the same problem, this lack of air can trigger a loss of power to your engine.
  • Difficulties starting the vehicle: Finally, one of the last classic problems connected to a dirty flowmeter will be that your Audi Q3 will have more issues to begin the vehicle.

How do I clean the mass air flow sensor from a Audi Q3?

After looking at the operation and problems that the flowmeter can trigger, we will look at how to fix these problems by explaining to you how to clean the mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 . You should know that this operation is actually quite simple to carry out and you will not need advanced mechanical abilities to do it your self, a good way to avoid a trip to the mechanic and a steep bill. Discover below the different steps to stick to to carry out this routine service act:

  • After having located the mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 , you will have to dismantle it. To get this done, work gently, but you will just have to disassemble it on both sides of the air duct and detach the electrical plug on top of it.
  • Once taken apart, you will be able to carry on to the step cleaning the mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 . This sensor will, as time passes, get dirty and its two “filaments” that will give information to your computer on the quality and temperature of the air will no longer be able to collect data accurately, it is in this sense that it will disturb the operation of the engine unit of your Audi Q3. The intent of this cleaning will be to take out all its impure substances to allow it to work efficiently again.
  • Let soak the lower part of your mass air flow sensor (not the plug part) in acetone or another solvent for a few minutes , which will take out most of the grime
  • .

  • Now we’ll move on to the very gentle cleaning of the flow meter filaments. You have to be very careful, in any other case your mass air flow sensor will be permanently damaged. With the help of a fine brush and solvent, gently clean the two filaments of your mass air flow sensor . If you are too afraid of harming it, you can also clean them with a brake fluid in the form of an aerosol by spraying the jet on these filaments.

Now you know how to clean the mass air flow sensor of your Audi Q3 , you should feel a noticeable difference in the behavior of your engine unit.

If you want more tutorials on the Audi Q3, go to our Audi Q3 category.