I tried searching for a thread with specifics on cleaning the throttle body but I couldn't find one. I know it is a good idea to clean the throttle body every once and a while and I have around 40k miles and figured it would be a good idea to do it now.

Is there anything that I should be careful of while doing this? Is there any specific way to clean it or any cleaners to use? I just don't want to mess anything up while doing this. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

make sure the cleaner says it is for throttle bodies

put rags or towels under/around the open end to keep from over spraying or dripping onto other parts etc ...NOT good for rubber/plastic/paint

use an unpainted wooden dowel (not plastic and DEFINATELY not metal) to hold the throttle body plate open (at the bottom side)

expect the truck to be rough and make you think you ruined it when you restart...sputtering, check-engine light, etc

after about 30-60 secs, shut off the engine then restart and all will be fine.

 

Alright so it's that simple? Any good cleaners that people like?

 

truck shouldn't react at all...if anything, it should run smoother.


I used rubbing alcohol (no no...but all I had at the time) to clean it. used a clean lint free shop rag


basically soak the rag with your cleaner of choice...to be honest, I think anything would be fine as long as you keep it only on the metal.


also make sure to clean the upper/lower sides of the TB plate.



when I did mine, it was absolutely filthy. @ 23,000 miles. There was crap caked on the edges of the butterflys, and a decent layer on the whole thing.

 

I'd bet they all use the same chemicals. I shot about half a spray can through mine while the engine was off. That may be why it was so unhappy on the first start-up. I didn't have anybody around to mash the gas while the engine was running...

 

I took the throttle body off and cleaned it. It was real easy to do, only took 1/2 hours or so. I did it while changing my plugs.

 

Where is it? I would like to clean the one on my 4.6 ford. Any instructions on how to do it?