Cleaning the throttle body

[outoforder]

Mr. no mechanical inclination (me) is attempting to clean the throttle body on his 97 Sable today. Does the entire TB have to come out, or just take off the air intake, spray cleaner, and wipe with cloth?

 

[tommygunn]

you'll likely get a better "clean" if you disassemble the throttle body.......but you should be able to "get by" with some simply TB cleaner through the air hose, saturate the butterfly valve real good, clean it up with the microfiber cloth, and then be done with it.

I've heard it's a good idea to let the solution dry before starting the vehicle back up......

 

[bigbird_1]

Some Fords, notably the Escorts of the mid 90's specifically warn against throttle body cleaning. Their throttle bodies are pre-coated with something, and any solvents will damage this coating. This warning is plainly visible where the intake tube attaches to the throttle body housing. Check yours.

 

[Billbert]

Originally Posted By: bigbird_1
Some Fords, notably the Escorts of the mid 90's specifically warn against throttle body cleaning. Their throttle bodies are pre-coated with something, and any solvents will damage this coating. This warning is plainly visible where the intake tube attaches to the throttle body housing. Check yours.
Those throttle bodies had a teflon coating on them to resist the buildup of crud. It didn't work (obviously) All the throttle body cleaners are 'Ford safe' Who cares, the coating didn't work and Ford abandoned the coating.

 

[outoforder]

Originally Posted By: bigbird_1
Some Fords, notably the Escorts of the mid 90's specifically warn against throttle body cleaning. Their throttle bodies are pre-coated with something, and any solvents will damage this coating. This warning is plainly visible where the intake tube attaches to the throttle body housing. Check yours.


Just took off the air intake hose and found the warning label just like you said. Thanks for the heads up. Quickest job ever

 

[ARCOgraphite]

How did it look in there though - any pics? If I saw a line of crud preventing the butterfly from near closing, or as an obstacle to a part throttle opening, Id get rid of that line of crud. Gingerly.

 

[mechtech2]

Yes, there were coatings on TBS .
A total waste. Generally filthier than uncoated ones!
Go clean yours!
Often, the TB does not have to come out, but just the piping/manifolding to it. You can manipulate it's opening and get in and around it pretty well.
But don't just spray and pray! manually use solvent, a rag, brush, and try not to get anything downstream. A little won't hurt.