How to clean your throttle body

Hi folks, thought I'd write this up as I just did it and I see a few people asking about it. Also posted it over at trailvoy.com and it got quite a buzz.

I got most of the pictures form a K&N instruction manual cuz thats what I was doing at the time, I point some things out in them and lay out some better instructions though.


What you will need:
-Large and long phillips or flathead screwdriver
-8mm ratchet (battery)
-10mm ratchet (bolts)
-Throttle body cleaner (I use Berrymans B-12 chemtool)


Now to business:

Step 1: Turn ignition off and disconnect battery.

Step 2: Disconnect the feed line from the fuel pressure regulator. This is located on the front corner of the resonator near the battery. Just pull it off.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/1.jpg


Step 3: Remove the screws form the airbox. The one in the front corner is kinda tricky but a long screwdriver and a flashlight will make it easy.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/2.jpg


Step 4: Remove the airbox by lifting straight up.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/3.jpg


Step 5: Disconnect the air injection hose from the bottom of the intake tube. Squeeze the sides of the clasp and pull down.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/4.jpg


Step 6: Disconnect the little brown clip attached to the intake air temp sensor harness. Its tricky, just keep tugging at it. Notice how it opens up in a "C" shape.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/6.jpg


Note: At this point you can either set the intake tube aside or unplug the temp sensor and remove the tube completely.


Step 7: Remove the two bolts securing the resonator (blue) and loosen the hose clamp on the throttle body (red).
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/7.jpg


Step 8: Lift out the resonator. NOTE!!! Make sure you disconnect the crankcase vent hose at the same time.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/8.jpg


Ooh, color!
Step 9: Unplug the two wire sets from the throttle body.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/P1000558.jpg


Step 10: Unbolt the four bolts mounting the throttle body.
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/P1000559.jpg




http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/P1000561.jpg
Okay, now you have your throttle body freed up. Gently wiggle it out and grab your can of cleaner. Mine wasn't really dirty but did have a good layer of black grap coagulated on the inside. Just remember that it is supposed to be SHINY, so shiny I kept getting lens flare.... Just blast away at the crud and it should basically melt off. If you have to, you can gently move the butterfly valve with your finger, but beware it is sharp. Use the whole can of cleaner if you want, it cost you what 2 bucks? Once it's nice and shiny, go ahead and put it all back together.

Your done! :)




WARNING: I found out the interesting way that throttle body cleaner is really angry stuff (note the color of my hand above). When I did this, I just figured I'd spray the crap out of it in the parking lot where I was working. One can and one puddle later I had it all done and was working on something else. I went and got some tools out of the back and came around to the front and it felt like I stepped in a pile of crap. Instead, my foot sunk about an INCH into the ASPHALT. The cleaner totally turned the pavement into oatmeal. Word of advice, don't do this in a driveway or kitchen or get it on anything in general. Oh, here's a pic. It also took the tread off my shoes :x.

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/KHHill/P1000562.jpg




Hope you enjoyed it and maybe even found it useful!

Great post, but did it fix your problem.

I actually did this while I was installing a K&N intake.

Thanks for the instructions khill! Good weekend project (if it warms up)!

What yr. T/B is that?? Mine is a 03 and I don't recall having a air inj. hose on the intake tube....hmmm..I will hae to wait tilll the wench returns and take another gander at it.

mine is an 04 and oddly enough, I never noticed it until I actually went looking for it. Doesn't mean you have it, though, just means that I never really investigated under the hood thoroughly.