Well I did this last night! It was easier than I thought it would be. Just make sure you don't lose your grip on any tools as I did. I will miss my my 8mm socket and 3"extension that slipped into abyss on this modular engine. Thanks to all that have post there tips. This was really helpful. My EGR ports were completely blocked that took the longest to clean out.
Here's some before pics<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xm7_U7ABUznhsjEsJPyuL_p1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8URtjPQcI/AAAAAAAAALo/uEYaEtOS1AI/s144/P1240429.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_rT3wpo1GkKUP8keoVvBjfp1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8UQ18xiUI/AAAAAAAAALk/1R1GAUAdzmA/s144/P1240428.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_Ccf7BHjUyzJStbPCST6W_p1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8US56yMyI/AAAAAAAAALs/rJpPmIYBmos/s144/P1240430.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0Z7tjqVKdPGmrA9TacEHy_p1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8UQDGw4rI/AAAAAAAAALc/Hw51zW_txNs/s144/P1240427.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

 

Here's some after
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ty5nhbirEf4nmuy6qGynWvp1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8UTqTlr-I/AAAAAAAAALw/_PkuCm2CKT0/s144/P1240431.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SsSflUIBM-YsHyBAc-meVvp1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8UUmSfdCI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Q06-Kbl_XSs/s144/P1240432.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VRR7NiDR3L7J8Gwt0_Yrj_p1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8UW20LMkI/AAAAAAAAAL4/UI5pIf92juI/s144/P1240433.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V7TUshaOI_o9Bei-2Oo5xPp1kmyEe85G97PiZ04vdV0?feat=embedwebsite"><im g src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sH7szmD5XVA/TT8X4wrBbKI/AAAAAAAAAMI/JzmU3lH_T9E/s144/P1240434.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hojointo/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gorbi0enM9wE&feat=embedwe bsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

 

Great pics! Yea, you'll get all your tools back when you R/R the intake gaskets. That's when my 1/4 drive Snap On ratchet was returned to me AND quite a few 7mm/8mm sockets. Something green and fuzzy as well, - I think it was 1/2 of a bologna sandwich, -not sure.. (?)

 

Passed inspection today!! Thanks for the help guys!

 

I don't have a idle issue, nor do I even know where the TB is located. I had it cleaned out at the dealers when I found myself without any responce from the gas peddle after coming to a stop. It would just idle. Anyway...that is fixed. Now I have another issue. When I hit the gas to pass a vehicle, I find that it spits and coughs. I let off the gas and press again and sometimes it repeats itself while other times it goes just fine. Could this been the TB again? By the way, I have a 05 F150 XLT supercab

 

I Cleaned mine and Haven't had any problems with it and after 20,000miles it still looks pretty clean

 

Do you have an engine light on?

I would have the DPFE sensor checked out, and or the spark plugs. The sensor is the easier thing to change and you can get it off ebay pretty cheap usually. The throttle body is the metal part on the top of the engine where the tube from the air intake tube connects.

The DPFE sensor is a metal , or black plastic box with two rubber hoses coming off the bottom. If the mechanic connected those tubes up backwards it can throw off the sensor. If that dosent work consider changing it. its an easy job, one or two 10mm bolts i think as well as the two rubber hoses and an electric plug.

If you get through the DPFE and that doesn't solve your problem the sputtering can also be caused by bad spark plugs. Those are a bit of a pain to change.
I had an engine light that threw a code for the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR) but it was actually the spark plugs being worn out.
I had the same problem where the truck would not accelerate for a second or two rite off the line. The engine never died and had ok power otherwise, but starting off it would spit and sputter.

Good luck gettin your ride fixed.

 

I just had my mustang's carburetor cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaning tank.
Everything came out brand new, perfect.
Best $25 / 10 minutes I ever spent.

The guy used 'environmentally safe fluids, safe for plastics'.
At approx. 176 deg F, do you think its safe to dunk these parts everyone has been cleaning?
Are any plug in connections permanently attached to the throttle body?
Could they be positioned out of the tank while the rest of the body / part is cleaned?

Other concerns you can think of?
Other parts around the Throttle body to dunk?

 

Im in the process of cleaning out my T Body right now and Im finding that mine is a bit diffrent than some of the ones posted. Not sure if it has to do with the year/model but I have an 05 Lariat and I dont have a throttle cable nor do I have coolant lines going trough mine.
?? I have is ,

What do I do with the sensors on the throttle body, to clean it up ??? do i just cover them up ? remove them ??

 

Im not sure what your referring to, maybe you could post some pics. There aren't any coolant lines connected to the older throttle bodies. There may be a difference in the 05, ive never worked on the new trucks, but that may be the case seeing as the have moved to the electronic throttle body. your connectors should be safe if you just avoid spraying them directly with water. Use a cleaner that is safe for the inner finish. Dont use anything abrasive or acidic. Its just needs a little elbow grease and MAF or carburator cleaner. I used a toothbrush, the original poster used wirebrushes.

My advice take a picture of how you took it apart to make sure its the same when its all back together, and remember there is nothing in the throttle body that should bring coolant into the motor...that would have detrimental effects on gas mileage (aka hydro-locking) to say the least lol.

 

Since I am at 210,000 miles I decided to clean mine and DAMN it was nasty!! Havent got to take it out on a test run yet but plan on it tonight! Thanks guys for such good write ups and next is the goss mod...

 

I cleaned my TB and elbow out at 80K it was nasty enough that I considered pulling the intake apart to clean it further but after a few minutes of looking at how it comes off I figured I'd wait until the 5.4 takes a vacation.

I polished everything to a mirror finish except the throttle blade and surrounding area I detailed that with q-tips (I am picky), I've yet to have a problem with gunk getting inside the TB or causing problems.

Usually when I remove the filter assembly for cleaning I place a light film -no globes or runs- of oil, (WD40 or motor oil) on the front of the TB and before and after the MAF sensor to catch any dirt/dust that gets past the filter. It seems to act the same as the special coating that Ford claims needs to be there to catch dirt. and I wipe an reapply when the filter gets cleaned.

I used to have a K&N filter that would allow dirt inside, so its just a habit I havent broken. I need to put an enclosed filter box like an AEM or something on the truck, the dust storms are hell on the filter.

 

Pulled the TB off my truck today for the first time, 97 Scab with over 200K miles on the 4.6L. I was expecting the worst, but the TB was clean, including the elbow. Just a little bit of carbon on the IAC. There was some build-up on the intake port only. Took longer to R and R it than to clean it. I count myself lucky.

 

Honestly I think you would be ok putting wd40 in inside or outside of the paper filter (though it would probably hurt more than help) but I would defiantly NOT put any oil product on the MAF sensor...that little guy is a thin wire and if you get oil built up on there and you change the resistance of the wire it can heat up and break...then you are out 90 bucks and your truck wont go anywhere even though everything else looks good. im sure it catches dirt,just dont get it on the element itself is all im saying. my buddy was a ford mechanic and he would change those week after week usually when people installed K+N filters and applied too much oil or didn't let it dry enough before running the vehicle. just my 2c on the topic.

 

Another Great thread on a great site.

I get the idea of using WD-40 to attract dust and particles, but I would only apply this after the MAF, and not before.

I am probably going to start cleaning my TB tomorrow. Funny thing, is the Haynes manual says to not clean it, as you will destroy the 'special coating' that Ford applied to it. I think it is cleanable.