ouchman

My wife's 2000 Corolla is reading a "bank too lean" code. It takes a minute to warm up and may stall when first put into drive. Recently changed sparks, air filter. Fuel filter is non-serviceable. Haven't tried the MAF sensor yet, but it's an $80 crap-shoot. What I would like to do is fix it, get that stupid check-engine light to stay off long enough to SELL IT!

Fronty Owner

Injectors clogged? try some BG44 (www.bgfindashop.com)
Also, make sure htere are no air leaks between the MAF sensor and the engine. My Isuzu, the air duct will come off the intake right after the MAF when you check the air filter. I ahve done that several times.

ouchman

Thanks Fronty. Anybody else?

stumpjumper

check the intake boot/hose for any cracks or breaks. also if the maf sensor is the "hot wire" type you can spray it with electrical cleaner. DO NOT use brake cleaner as it will attack the plastic. the maf sensor works the same as a main jet in a carb. the other place to check is if there is black soot accumulated around the throttle body butterfly. if so clean with brake clean or parts cleaner and disconnect battery for a minute or so. the computer will then go into a idle relearn procedure.

stumpjumper

just to clarify look into the maf sensor if you see a little wire going between two posts in the airstream it's a hot wire type. and the wire gets energized with electricity to a set temperature. as the air moves across the maf it will cool it down the ecm apllies more milliamps to keep the wire at the right temp. measuring the amount of energy needed to keep it at proper temp it knows how much air is going in the engine. if the wire gets air filter material or dust or whatever on it, it won't read right. try spraying the wire with the electrical contact cleaner and see if that helps. the other place is the throttle body butterfly. the ecm knows how much air gets around the butterfly when its closed. if its built up with carbon the correct amount of air won't be getting into the engine and that could cause the stalling as well. try spraying this area with parts cleaner or brake clean and an old tooth brush or shop towel. it's probably a good idea to change the spark plugs after doing this, they might become fouled from the extra "stuff" going into the engine...

hope this helps...........