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...

 

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...

 

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"

 

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?

 

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.

 

I appreciate your answers. I don't know why I'm so skeptical about doing this myself since I don't know what to do if the unthinkable or unpredictable happens. My tools are limited, as with my engine knowledge and inventive intuition (a.k.a. Engineering skills). I guess I can trust either this forum thread or my Haynes manual in case $h!t happens. I'll give it a whirl this weekend since I just got paid and I can get a new set of tools and a new IAC. How much are new IAC's? What's the best one? Who sells the best one? Anything I need to check while my TB is off? How do I check shtuff? Any torque settings I need to be aware of? Do I need to go buy a torque wrench. Heck, I'll go buy one anyway since I don't have one!

 

James:

look at my thread called "rough idle problem"....lots of good pics and instructions on doing this cleaning. It's really not that bad, there are just a couple of hard-to-reach areas. that thread was booted back up recently, and should be on page 1,2, or 3 currently

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

It cleaned up nicely.

 

A stupid question, but how do you disconnect the throttle cable from the throttle body?

 

pull slack in it and u will need to slide the ball in out it just slides out. once u look at it u can figure it out. and the cruise control pops off of there. some of them have a flat spot u line up and it will just come off

 

In Haynes Repair Manual for the Triton V8 motors it says NOT TO CLEAN the TB, it has a protective sludge resistant coating.... is this true? has anyone had problem or do you have to clean it often?