I'd like to hear from others who have experience in cleaning the intake and especially the MAF sensor. Are any special tools required? Solvents?

The engine is a 1998 Zetec with ~112,000 miles. I have a CEL on and am getting an intermittant bucking/stalling once in a while. Otherwise it is very reliable and runs well. I'll be attempting this over the weekend so any advice is welcomed!

Thanks!

Welcome . Go to Autozone or Advance and scan (free service) for the CEL code and post the exact code.

Do not unscrew the MAF sensor from the housing. Just unscrew the big hose clamps (and remove the clips) from the air intake ducts and spray through the big round (metal) tube.

Use non chlorinated brake cleaner or MAF sensor cleaner (CRC brand) you can buy from Advance or Autozone. Some just spray on, some use Q-tips. If you use Q-tips, be very careful as the sensor is very delicate.

MAF sensor
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=36
and
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=989728&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1
and
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/cb/25/0900823d801bcb25.jsp

I also used the same method on the IAT sensor as well.