Stay clear of Rat Shack electronics cleaner. Last time I tried it, it left a residue so bad that the stuff I "cleaned" practically stopped working entirely until I re-cleaned it with a different brand of stuff. Next time I need to clean a rheostat I'll probably use chemtool or brake cleaner.
The MAF wire is somewhat fragile, but not really delicate, at least in the zetec. Like, you could maybe poke it with your finger without breaking it, but don't drop it while exposed. I brushed mine gently with the edge of a torn piece of cardboard to get residue off of it last time I cleaned it (there was a lot, for some reason) -- no harm done. That MAF is, I think, made by Hitachi. Dunno about the duratec.
96 GL Zetec ATX, white with pinstripe, nickname "
Sam Smooth "
mods so far: CTA intake with homemade heat shield, KVR drilled front rotors & carbon pads w/ 500° fluid
planned mods: exhaust (want to keep it quiet), e-ram (awaiting installation), diablo chip
involuntary mods: compression increased after head gasket failure
