Cleaning the TB

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I cleaned the TB on my car and it was black and sooty inside. It made a difference in the way it ran. I thought it would just pass air and not make a difference.
It seems smoother. Why?
Dusty
 
It's all in your head. Placebo effect. Just cleaning the tb won't do anything. Now if the sensors were a bit dirty that would have an impact but just cleaning the blade won't yield any results
 
I disagree. When at idle, the throttle is almost closed. If dirt builds up along the outside, it effectively restricts the air flow, causing a correction, and rough running. If it has an electric throttle body, Id do an adaptation also. This is a common problem on turbo Audi/VWs, oil builds up around the throttle and causes a stumble when returning to idle.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I make sure to also clean the idle air control valve when I clean the throtle body


Is it necessary to remove the IACV itself for this or can spraying/soaking directly help?
 
Originally Posted By: Audios
I disagree. When at idle, the throttle is almost closed. If dirt builds up along the outside, it effectively restricts the air flow, causing a correction, and rough running. If it has an electric throttle body, Id do an adaptation also. This is a common problem on turbo Audi/VWs, oil builds up around the throttle and causes a stumble when returning to idle.


My Mazda 3 is the same and with no idle control valve, clean TB does make a difference.
 
Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I make sure to also clean the idle air control valve when I clean the throtle body


Is it necessary to remove the IACV itself for this or can spraying/soaking directly help?


Ideally taking it off is better. Pick up a gasket from a parts store or dealer just in case the old one tears.
 
It can run smoother, for sure.
Less variations when closed and at low flow.
This is often overlooked, and people concentrate on the idle air valve.
but cleaning out the TBs real nice is a very good thing to do, and is the basis for all the rest.
 
Originally Posted By: Audios
I disagree. When at idle, the throttle is almost closed. If dirt builds up along the outside, it effectively restricts the air flow, causing a correction, and rough running. If it has an electric throttle body, Id do an adaptation also. This is a common problem on turbo Audi/VWs, oil builds up around the throttle and causes a stumble when returning to idle.


I agree. I can't count how many cars came to me with the person saying "it just dies when I come to a stop" or "it idles funny"...all due to the throttle body blade being a coked up with grime.
 
Well guys if you have dirt on your tb you have big problems. I built 3 mustangs and I gotta say that the f/I ones never had any dirt on em. Nor did the carb'd ones. If you have a build up of dirt the cylinder wall scoring would be scary. Perhaps put an air filter in there. I can tell you from experience that making the throttle body blade clean really has no bearing on performance.
And the blade isn't closed when the car is running. It will be sightly open or it will stall.
This thread is awesome. I really cannot believe some of these comments. Keep at er. If you say and write it enough it might become true.
 
Its well known in the auto service industry that throttle bodies can get dirty from normal manifold reversion, pcv and egr and can effect hot starting, idle quality and tip in. The reason for this, was mentioned, is the throttle body is a small apeture area during idle and light throttle and is easily restricted by deposits.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Its well known in the auto service industry that throttle bodies can get dirty from normal manifold reversion, pcv and egr and can effect hot starting, idle quality and tip in. The reason for this, was mentioned, is the throttle body is a small apeture area during idle and light throttle and is easily restricted by deposits.


As usual right on the money with the correct answer.

I know this to be true..I've cleaned many TBs and when the butterfly plate is at idle there is only a very small passage for air to come through ..a very small amount of buildup in this area can significantly affect idle quality and if it is serious it may cause the electric motor in the TB to work harder possibly shortening its life!
 
You should always consult the service manual before cleaning. A lot of DBW throttle bodies require adaptation after you mess with them.

In addition, I know on the Nissan VQ35 throttle bodies theres a small amount of "paste" on certain spots to prevent the throttle plate from closing completely. If you clean off that "paste," the throttle body will no longer work.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
In addition, I know on the Nissan VQ35 throttle bodies theres a small amount of "paste" on certain spots to prevent the throttle plate from closing completely. If you clean off that "paste," the throttle body will no longer work.

My Pathfinder's has no such thing. Perhaps some sort of coating on the throttle body to avoid deposit build-up, but I've never seen any such "paste" you describe. I've thoroughly cleaned my throttle body with it disconnected from the manifold and I haven't had any issues.
 
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Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Its well known in the auto service industry that throttle bodies can get dirty from normal manifold reversion, pcv and egr and can effect hot starting, idle quality and tip in. The reason for this, was mentioned, is the throttle body is a small apeture area during idle and light throttle and is easily restricted by deposits.


Totally had this problem this summer, went to restart after moving the car(could have rolled it but I started and threw it in Reverse for maybe 25 feet, cut it off)...about 3 hours later the restart was strange. Like oil pressure was trying to build, I believe it wound up being a sticky IACV/TB grime issue. Cold start RPM is 1,500(approx.) while this restart was sorta in flux between that and the hot idle(typically around 600 RPM)...the restart idle was 'rough' to start. Around 1,000 RPMs or so...I had to rev the throttle to get it to settle down.
 
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Originally Posted By: Towncivilian
Originally Posted By: The Critic
In addition, I know on the Nissan VQ35 throttle bodies theres a small amount of "paste" on certain spots to prevent the throttle plate from closing completely. If you clean off that "paste," the throttle body will no longer work.

My Pathfinder's has no such thing. Perhaps some sort of coating on the throttle body to avoid deposit build-up, but I've never seen any such "paste" you describe. I've thoroughly cleaned my throttle body with it disconnected from the manifold and I haven't had any issues.

Maybe it depends on the model, but it is definitely there on the G35 throttle bodies. I'll see if I can get a picture and post it.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Its well known in the auto service industry that throttle bodies can get dirty from normal manifold reversion, pcv and egr and can effect hot starting, idle quality and tip in. The reason for this, was mentioned, is the throttle body is a small apeture area during idle and light throttle and is easily restricted by deposits.


Yup, I have to clean the Expedition TB every once in a while as it gets varnish on it. Things get volatized and the TB is the highest, coolest point. Build-up occurs.
 
Originally Posted By: Clevy
It's all in your head. Placebo effect. Just cleaning the tb won't do anything. Now if the sensors were a bit dirty that would have an impact but just cleaning the blade won't yield any results


completely untrue. It doesn't take much build-up for the throttle plate to bind slightly at idle, and this can lead to voltage spikes at the TPS. How the car manages these spikes depends on the manufacturer and the logic in the TPS/PCM. In my car, it's handled very poorly, to the point where a dirty TB can send the car into fail-safe mode or lead to frequent surging when slowing or at a stop. (you can read all about it here. ).

Keeping the TB clean can mitigate the problem, or keep it from occurring in the first place. So, you're categorically wrong to say that dirt on the throttle plate can't affect DBW systems.
 
Originally Posted By: 91344George
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Its well known in the auto service industry that throttle bodies can get dirty from normal manifold reversion, pcv and egr and can effect hot starting, idle quality and tip in. The reason for this, was mentioned, is the throttle body is a small apeture area during idle and light throttle and is easily restricted by deposits.


As usual right on the money with the correct answer.

I know this to be true..I've cleaned many TBs and when the butterfly plate is at idle there is only a very small passage for air to come through ..a very small amount of buildup in this area can significantly affect idle quality and if it is serious it may cause the electric motor in the TB to work harder possibly shortening its life!


Same here - noticeable difference on the cars that have them carboned up.
 
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