How often you you do throttle cleaning?

[friendly_jacek]

Is it needed in modern cars?

The only car I had to do was 1992 Protege with rough idle at 110,000 miles that improved some after cleaning.

My oldest current car has 75000 miles and I wonder if I should do it (no problems so far).

 

[Vikas]

Probably every ten years or so! Realistically, once a year is more than enough for most cars and for some, once in 5 years. Unless you have specific symptoms, there is no need to worry about it.

 

[hounddog]

Take a flashlight and look in the throttle body with the plates open. You can see if it needs cleaning. I've seen some bad nasty throttle body's over the years. Some almost closed up due to crud.

 

[wallyuwl]

Once a year for most modern vehicles is good. I cleaned the TB on our 2010 Equinox a few months ago at 25k miles. It didn't look like it needed cleaning, but after cleaning it there was a noticable difference in performance.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Funny, mobil said to do it every 75000, so my question was very timely: http://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english/motoroil/car_care/diy/cleaning_engine_throttle_bodies.aspx

I will look first.

Also, the above guide said "Do not use carburetor cleaner."

Why not, this is exactly I planned to use.

 

[Mr Nice]

At 120K miles

 

[HTSS_TR]

My mechanic cleaned the TB the first time in my LS400 after 16 years at around 240k miles. E430 is 11 years old and 128k miles has no cleaning yet.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
Take a flashlight and look in the throttle body with the plates open. You can see if it needs cleaning. I've seen some bad nasty throttle body's over the years. Some almost closed up due to crud.


I've done it on my truck twice in the 6 years I've had it. Only because the gas pedal would stick. You can use carb cleaner on a rag but don't spray it dirctly in the TB.

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
I've done it on my truck twice in the 6 years I've had it. Only because the gas pedal would stick. You can use carb cleaner on a rag but don't spray it dirctly in the TB.


Can Brake cleaner be used?

 

[wallyuwl]

Just use a can of TB cleaner. It costs under $4 and will last a decade.

 

[sciphi]

About every 40k miles. The Fit and the Buick just had this done. I noticed it much more on the Buick than on the Fit. The Buick's TB was filthy, the Fit's had just a few patches of carbon.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Warstud
I've done it on my truck twice in the 6 years I've had it. Only because the gas pedal would stick. You can use carb cleaner on a rag but don't spray it dirctly in the TB.


Can Brake cleaner be used?


Any type of solvent will work as long as it doesn't get down into the TB.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Here how it looks (before cleaning) in 2003 Corolla with 75,000 miles. I cleaned with paper tissue and old toothbrush. No solvent was needed as deposit was soft. Not a huge deal at all and I will check beck in 100,000 miles ;-)

 

[01rangerxl]

I never clean the throttle body on my truck. There's a sticker that says it has some coating on it and should not be cleaned.

I do clean the IAC valve though. I don't have any particular interval with that, I just clean it whenever the truck starts idling too high or low. It's just two bolts and has a reusable o-ring for the gasket, so it's easy.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Good point about the IAC valve cleaning. I should have done that too while I was there. I didn't think about it. Maybe next time.

 

[hattaresguy]

Never unless I'm trying to fix a problem.

I don't even know what the throttle body on my truck looks like, I have never taken the air intake housing off it.

 

[FZ1]

Very interesting. Did you notice any difference in response or mpg before/after?

 

[mechtech2]

With my catch can set ups, rarely is there a need for TB cleaning.
Without it, ever year or two is good maintenance.
Some cars are awful - they need it every several months.

 

[hounddog]

The throttle body in the photos is really fine the way it was. I've seen some that were almost closed up with carbon.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm pushing 199K on my Aerostar and never cleaned the TB. I've inspected it and it looks fine, similar to the photo above. In some cars the TB stays cleaner than others, depends on the vehicle and how it's used. If it needs cleaning I'd clean it, otherwise I'd leave well enough alone. JMO