I have this problem with both my, and my daughter's Corollas. Hers is a '94, and mine an '04. The symptom is a sticky accelerator pedal...meaning, occasionally the pedal sticks at idle and you have to keep pushing on it until it finally lets go, then the car lurches forward. This is not a problem on dry pavement, but on snow it causes the tires to spin. I've had the '94 to my mechanic for this problem and he said it's caused by a build-up of tarnish inside the throttle body, which has to be disassembled and cleaned. My '04 just started doing this, but so far it hasn't gotten nearly as bad as it has on my daughters '94. My question is, is there a fuel system cleaner (like BG or STP or something like that) that will get rid of this tarnish, and if so, will a one time application get rid of it?
Sticky throttle bodies
- Thread starter grampi
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The best way is to take the fresh air hose from your PCV system and put a breather on it. Then it won't ingest icky goo back through the system. This won't get 100% of it because when you shut the car off vapors back up through open intake valves and funk-ifies the backside of the throttle blade.
Cleaning the TB on my saturns is pretty easy with paper towels and brake cleaner with it still on the car. Don't hose brake cleaner down the intake, just dampen the towel and rub stuff down. I used to have to do it annually but unbeknownst to me something started running cleaner and now, less so.
Cleaning the TB on my saturns is pretty easy with paper towels and brake cleaner with it still on the car. Don't hose brake cleaner down the intake, just dampen the towel and rub stuff down. I used to have to do it annually but unbeknownst to me something started running cleaner and now, less so.
You can do it yourself. Get some seafoam in a spray can and with engine off spray it down the TB and gently wipe with a rag. Keep cleaning till rag is clean. Then spray a amall amount around TB when done.
Don't use anything harsh. Seafoam spray safest.
Don't use anything harsh. Seafoam spray safest.
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amsoil PF works good on TB
Yank the TB off, remove the AIS motor and TPS, spray all the pasages in it. Then reinstall. Can do them on my cars in about 15 minutes, but they are lowly Chryslers
Per your stick throttle, your sure the cable isnt corroded, I cant see how a dirty TB would cause sticky pedal, in most cases it gums up the AIS motor which will then causes idle sag because it cant react fast enough.
Maybe you need to lube the Trhottle cable or replace it.
Yank the TB off, remove the AIS motor and TPS, spray all the pasages in it. Then reinstall. Can do them on my cars in about 15 minutes, but they are lowly Chryslers
Per your stick throttle, your sure the cable isnt corroded, I cant see how a dirty TB would cause sticky pedal, in most cases it gums up the AIS motor which will then causes idle sag because it cant react fast enough.
Maybe you need to lube the Trhottle cable or replace it.
^^^ Deep Creep is the spray SeaFoam. Cleans pretty well and lubes at least as well as WD40. It's an okay penetrating lube and engine fogging for storage. Pretty handy stuff to have. I just wish it was still $2.99 a can like it was before YouTube and car forum internet fame.
I would spray some on the cable on the '94 too. Not going to make it any worse.
I would spray some on the cable on the '94 too. Not going to make it any worse.
No need to take TB off. Just take the intake hose off.
The fuel is injected way after the throttle body.
Is it a cable or mechanical throttle?
Is it a cable or mechanical throttle?
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The fuel is injected way after the throttle body.
Is it a cable or mechanical throttle?
*Cable throttle or electronic throttle. Brain not working yet.
The fuel is injected way after the throttle body.
Is it a cable or mechanical throttle?
*Cable throttle or electronic throttle. Brain not working yet.
The TPS may be going bad, it still works but they can get sticky with wear. Its fairly common on some Toyota and Subaru.
Easy way to check is to mark the cap then remove it, see if the throttle is free, if so replace it.
Easy way to check is to mark the cap then remove it, see if the throttle is free, if so replace it.
TB maintenance is normal. They just need to be cleaned once a awhile. Nothing in the gas tank will do it.
When i worked at the local Harley shop the head mechanic there had a 2nd job working at a automotive shop, he told me whenever he had a cable system sticking or the symptoms you described he used pbblast in the can or marvel mystery oil if you can't acquire pbblast.
Although i hated him with a dire passion, he knew his chit, and when i had him look at my (sticking throttle) on my bike he sprayed pbblast down the cable and used a head gun to warm up the cables (oil travels farther )
That was years ago and the cables are still buttery smooth, I've been doing this ever since on all throttle, cable systems that need a helping hand...
And when i cleaned my throttle body on truck, i scraped the [censored] out that i could and took paper towels soaked in diesel to eat away the remained, then brake clean to clean the little areas i can't reach with a brass brush, then air to evaporate the cleaner that got away. A year later its shiny and clean
Although i hated him with a dire passion, he knew his chit, and when i had him look at my (sticking throttle) on my bike he sprayed pbblast down the cable and used a head gun to warm up the cables (oil travels farther )
That was years ago and the cables are still buttery smooth, I've been doing this ever since on all throttle, cable systems that need a helping hand...
And when i cleaned my throttle body on truck, i scraped the [censored] out that i could and took paper towels soaked in diesel to eat away the remained, then brake clean to clean the little areas i can't reach with a brass brush, then air to evaporate the cleaner that got away. A year later its shiny and clean
New TB have a coating that you want to be careful with what you clean it with. Nothing harsh...
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I have this issue on my 2007 Dodge Caravan. I have to clean it twice a year and it is very easy. Just pull the intake hose off the throttle body. Spray throttle plate with a generous amount of "STP Throttle Body cleaner" and wipe with paper towel. If really gunked up, spray and wipe one more time. Done. Dealer wants $150 to clean the throttle body and perhaps they remove it and do a more thorough job, but, I had them do it once, it didn't last any longer without sticking again.
I'm assuming that since the can says it's specifically for throttle body's that it won't hurt to ingest a little into the engine. Hope that's true. Been doing it for years with no apparent ill effects. Oh, and make sure to try to get the "back side" of the throttle plate as well by actuating it and squeezing some soaked paper towel back there. 15 min. job.
I'm assuming that since the can says it's specifically for throttle body's that it won't hurt to ingest a little into the engine. Hope that's true. Been doing it for years with no apparent ill effects. Oh, and make sure to try to get the "back side" of the throttle plate as well by actuating it and squeezing some soaked paper towel back there. 15 min. job.
But hate to tell you but if you yank the TB off and pull the AIS out of hte TB (Torx screw)you will see all the carbon built up in that part of the passagway behind the AIS, what your doing is only cleaning the varnish off the throttle plate.
I agree though 150$ for 15 minutes work is kind of steep.
I agree though 150$ for 15 minutes work is kind of steep.
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be sure to gently push the plate open and get back in the recesses where it seats. that's where the sticking happens.
it's ok to get the fluid down in the intake. it evaporates. and it also burns.
just be gentle, especially if it's a DBW.
it's ok to get the fluid down in the intake. it evaporates. and it also burns.
just be gentle, especially if it's a DBW.
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