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Do you ever clean your throttle body?
- Thread starter ram_man
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JHZR2
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If there is a phenomena you're trying to track down, it's a cheap and easy thing to do. Otherwise I'd leave it alone. They do get dirty, but that by itself isn't a huge deal.
Due to the PCV system on all my vehicles, i regularly clean all the throttle bodies with CRC throttle-body cleaner. I can clean them a couple times a year and i still get the paper towel covered in black carbony stuff each time. I notice an improvement in idle, and a warm fuzzy feeling.
You can clean them without removong the TB, just slide the boot off and manually open the valve to spray and wipe both sides. The CRC has a dry lube it leaves behind to lube the pivot surfaces.
You can clean them without removong the TB, just slide the boot off and manually open the valve to spray and wipe both sides. The CRC has a dry lube it leaves behind to lube the pivot surfaces.
No, not unless their is a problem.
I agree with SOHCman. I do it on our vehicles as preventative maintenance. If done on a regular basis, it's quick and easy.
I've noticed over the years that cars that burn oil REALLY need this done fairly often .. maybe once a year. As the blow by gasses are sucked back through the PCV system and reburned, those cars TB's really get gunked up.
I've noticed over the years that cars that burn oil REALLY need this done fairly often .. maybe once a year. As the blow by gasses are sucked back through the PCV system and reburned, those cars TB's really get gunked up.
I clean it when my throttle pedal starts to stick.
Originally Posted By: ram_man
What would cause a high idle after Cleaning it? My idle was around 1600rpm for several miles once I was able to shut the car off and back on it's been fine.
That sounds like your car "learned" to open the idle control valve to make up for a clogged butterfly valve. Once you cleaned it, it took it a few miles to relearn with flow restored.
What would cause a high idle after Cleaning it? My idle was around 1600rpm for several miles once I was able to shut the car off and back on it's been fine.
That sounds like your car "learned" to open the idle control valve to make up for a clogged butterfly valve. Once you cleaned it, it took it a few miles to relearn with flow restored.
It makes sense to clean it, I find that some engines will not idle properly without a regular cleaning.
I cleaned the TB on my fuel injected '88 Accord at ~130K miles.
Had to re-adjust the "base idle" (IACV disconnected) to bring the idle back down to spec.
Base idle had been adjusted up a couple of times over the years according to FSM.
Had to re-adjust the "base idle" (IACV disconnected) to bring the idle back down to spec.
Base idle had been adjusted up a couple of times over the years according to FSM.
Originally Posted By: circuitsmith
I cleaned the TB on my fuel injected '88 Accord at ~130K miles.
Had to re-adjust the "base idle" (IACV disconnected) to bring the idle back down to spec.
Base idle had been adjusted up a couple of times over the years according to FSM.
What about the Matrix and any other issues you've had with it?
I cleaned the TB on my fuel injected '88 Accord at ~130K miles.
Had to re-adjust the "base idle" (IACV disconnected) to bring the idle back down to spec.
Base idle had been adjusted up a couple of times over the years according to FSM.
What about the Matrix and any other issues you've had with it?
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
[/quote]What about the Matrix and any other issues you've had with it?
I will clean the TB at 100K miles, unless there's an issue sooner.
The throttle on the Accord started to feel a little sticky, first time opening after a cold start.
[/quote]What about the Matrix and any other issues you've had with it?
I will clean the TB at 100K miles, unless there's an issue sooner.
The throttle on the Accord started to feel a little sticky, first time opening after a cold start.
I don't know if it's hard to access on your car, I cleaned mine on Chrysler Cirrus 2000. You can just remove the air tubing and see if it's dirty and sticky. If not, I see no point. Mine was pretty clean with 250k kilometers and I "cleaned" it but saw 0 difference.
SOHCman has the best advice and procedure. No need to remove the TB as that creates extra work and may actually cause issues on some brands. However cleaning on-vehicle is of great benefit.
I love reading about the notion of dont bother cleaning the TB, it'll only get dirty again. I use the same excuse when taking showers...I only do it once a month because I'll only get dirty again.
I love reading about the notion of dont bother cleaning the TB, it'll only get dirty again. I use the same excuse when taking showers...I only do it once a month because I'll only get dirty again.
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Clean the one on the Expedition about once a year, as it gets sticky. The ones on the M5 are a lot more of a challenge to get to in order to even see if they need cleaning. And there are eight of them. So I've never bothered.
I try to clean mine with STP tb cleaner every 10k or so. It helps smooth the idle and I have never had any issues with a CEL on my DBW car.
How much should a shop charge for this service? For an 05 Matrix.
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
How much should a shop charge for this service? For an 05 Matrix.
Usually repair shops will not simply clean the TB, instead, they will always sell you a package which includes:
1. Seafoam style treatment
2. Some additive that gets poured in the fuel tank
3. and finally the TB cleaning
And then, expect to pay ~$80 for that package
How much should a shop charge for this service? For an 05 Matrix.
Usually repair shops will not simply clean the TB, instead, they will always sell you a package which includes:
1. Seafoam style treatment
2. Some additive that gets poured in the fuel tank
3. and finally the TB cleaning
And then, expect to pay ~$80 for that package
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