Cleaning the Throttle Body
#1
Cleaning the Throttle Body
Well at 120k miles it was probably due. I had read and been told that a dirty TB could be causing my idle problem. So follow along as I clean this nasty mess:
What I used:
Edit 5/2013** Someone asked that I explain that it is a better option to clean the TB off of the manifold and not leaving it in place, as this could allow harmful solvents to attack the internals of the manifold. Plus it helps to also keep the gunk out of the engine itself!
That's gunk!
continued...
What I used:
Edit 5/2013** Someone asked that I explain that it is a better option to clean the TB off of the manifold and not leaving it in place, as this could allow harmful solvents to attack the internals of the manifold. Plus it helps to also keep the gunk out of the engine itself!
That's gunk!
continued...
Last edited by R1Jester; 05-16-2013 at 06:42 PM. Reason: added recommendation
#2
continued part 2
Much cleaner!
Some built up stuff took some time to get off, here 1/2 way done:
Hopefully this makes things runn smoother. I checked all the vacuum hoses while I had everything off
No cracks or pin holes, not even the 90 behind the TB elbow. The vacuum line that runs from the top of the TB elbow to the green connector on the firewall, this hose looked like it was decaying(says fuel line)...does it have anything to do with idle though? I would guess no... but never the less should it be changed out? I'll see how this goes, and report back on my never ending idle situation...
Some built up stuff took some time to get off, here 1/2 way done:
Hopefully this makes things runn smoother. I checked all the vacuum hoses while I had everything off
No cracks or pin holes, not even the 90 behind the TB elbow. The vacuum line that runs from the top of the TB elbow to the green connector on the firewall, this hose looked like it was decaying(says fuel line)...does it have anything to do with idle though? I would guess no... but never the less should it be changed out? I'll see how this goes, and report back on my never ending idle situation...
#3
That looks Great!!! Stuff did a great job. I found those automotive pipe cleaners work good on the ports - Car Quest had sets w/5 different sizes for like 6 bucks..
That top hose - vapor management .. EVAP hose. They shouldn't leak , mine has looked like it was deteriorating for years , it hasn't leaked once tho. That the hose that does that..
We should make a "Cleaning the TB thread"
That top hose - vapor management .. EVAP hose. They shouldn't leak , mine has looked like it was deteriorating for years , it hasn't leaked once tho. That the hose that does that..
We should make a "Cleaning the TB thread"
Last edited by jbrew; 12-13-2007 at 07:28 PM.
#4
OK, I'm heavily thinking about cleaning my TB since..well **** I've never done it before. But then again, I've never taken anything off the engine since I got the truck ('98 V-8 4.6L 2WD XLT +112,000). I know the TB is gunked, I know it will need cleaning because my engine dies during startup/idling. I'll get a new IAC with it, but a few doubts are still on my mind. The wife and kids are out of town, I've got 4 days off, I think I can do it.
Question 1: Do I need to buy a new gasket for it?
Question 2: What tools are necessary?
(I've read the step-by-step instructions on the following website
http://www.fordf150.net/howto/throttlebodyclean.php)
Question 3: How long does this process take?
Question 4: Any problems while removing or re-installing the TB? Truck runs well after cleaning? Any special procedure that may not have been noted in the thread?
Question 1: Do I need to buy a new gasket for it?
Question 2: What tools are necessary?
(I've read the step-by-step instructions on the following website
http://www.fordf150.net/howto/throttlebodyclean.php)
Question 3: How long does this process take?
Question 4: Any problems while removing or re-installing the TB? Truck runs well after cleaning? Any special procedure that may not have been noted in the thread?
#5
1. I didn't buy a new gasket when I did mine about a year ago.
2. I can't remember the tools I used offhand, but it wasn't anything special, just your ordinary sockets and wrenches.
3. Took me an hour or two to do, and I was taking my time
4. Didn't run into any problems, I went ahead and replaced my IAC valve and cleaned my MAF sensor after, the truck idled smoooooooth after. I like to guage vibrations by feeling the steering wheel, and after I couldn't feel a thing on the wheel.
2. I can't remember the tools I used offhand, but it wasn't anything special, just your ordinary sockets and wrenches.
3. Took me an hour or two to do, and I was taking my time
4. Didn't run into any problems, I went ahead and replaced my IAC valve and cleaned my MAF sensor after, the truck idled smoooooooth after. I like to guage vibrations by feeling the steering wheel, and after I couldn't feel a thing on the wheel.
#6
Originally Posted by _cashel
1. I didn't buy a new gasket when I did mine about a year ago.
2. I can't remember the tools I used offhand, but it wasn't anything special, just your ordinary sockets and wrenches.
3. Took me an hour or two to do, and I was taking my time
4. Didn't run into any problems, I went ahead and replaced my IAC valve and cleaned my MAF sensor after, the truck idled smoooooooth after. I like to guage vibrations by feeling the steering wheel, and after I couldn't feel a thing on the wheel.
2. I can't remember the tools I used offhand, but it wasn't anything special, just your ordinary sockets and wrenches.
3. Took me an hour or two to do, and I was taking my time
4. Didn't run into any problems, I went ahead and replaced my IAC valve and cleaned my MAF sensor after, the truck idled smoooooooth after. I like to guage vibrations by feeling the steering wheel, and after I couldn't feel a thing on the wheel.
#7
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#8
Handy aids that assist in cleaning -
Deep Creep - Definitely a favorite, specially for the IAC . It cleans, it lubes and it's sensor safe..
B-12 - Has a little more punch than it's competitors - The Good Stuff!!
MAF Cleaner - My first can of this stuff, I just used it cleaning a 4.0 MAF and Motorcraft PCV valve. It did a good job. 4-10 HP Gainer ? Hmm, I don't know about that one yet
Deep Creep - Definitely a favorite, specially for the IAC . It cleans, it lubes and it's sensor safe..
B-12 - Has a little more punch than it's competitors - The Good Stuff!!
MAF Cleaner - My first can of this stuff, I just used it cleaning a 4.0 MAF and Motorcraft PCV valve. It did a good job. 4-10 HP Gainer ? Hmm, I don't know about that one yet
Last edited by jbrew; 12-30-2007 at 11:27 PM.
#9
97-98 Throttle body w/coolant tree.
Hot coolant travels through the tree and taps into the heater core line behind the lower intake. This helps heat the plenum. The PCV line which plugs into the tree in line with the plenum and re-enters in back of the manifold also helps heat the plenum. It's the Cold Climate System used in the 97-98 model years. These systems may be in later models , I haven't seen one in a 99 yet.
Hot coolant travels through the tree and taps into the heater core line behind the lower intake. This helps heat the plenum. The PCV line which plugs into the tree in line with the plenum and re-enters in back of the manifold also helps heat the plenum. It's the Cold Climate System used in the 97-98 model years. These systems may be in later models , I haven't seen one in a 99 yet.
Last edited by jbrew; 12-31-2007 at 05:20 AM.
#10
#11
Originally Posted by suavehorn
jbrew, I have a 99 5.4 V8 and I can not get that last bolt off the back so I can take the throttle body off so I can clean it off completely. How the hell can I get back there so I can take the whole top of the throttle body and clean the lower part?
8mm extension and swivel - If your talking about the long tower bolt . I use a 5/16 ratchet wrench and fully loosen ,but leave the bolt in the housing then lift it off the manifold. A 2x4 to pry a little with or rubber mallet to jar loose will help un-stick it from the manifold.
#14
Originally Posted by Damestic89
A stupid question, but how do you disconnect the throttle cable from the throttle body?
#15