Cleaning a throttle body

[neil4374]

Hey,
I just want to check that it's ok to clean the throttle body without removing it.
Any advice is much appreciated!

[InFiD3ViL]

Yes, but you won't be able to get behind the blade if needed. I clean mine on the car at oil changes using a spray cleaner and wiping the blade and bore. I might take it off for cleaning once a year if even that often. I also use the oil change interval as a chance to clean the MAF with CRC MAF cleaning spray.

[neil4374]

Thank you.
I read I can move the throttle blade by a friend pressing the accelerator down. Is that correct?
Or would it just be better to remove the throttle body and then not touch the blade?
Is it easy to remove?

[InFiD3ViL]

Originally Posted by neil4374

Thank you.
I read I can move the throttle blade by a friend pressing the accelerator down. Is that correct?
Or would it just be better to remove the throttle body and then not touch the blade?
Is it easy to remove?

If you mean while the car is off, then yeah you should be able to do that. Honestly, I have moved my blade with my hand but I just made sure to be gentle and not let it slam closed or overextend it. But most will say to not open/close with your hands.

If your throttle body is seriously dirty I would just remove it for cleaning so you can reach everything and get it in perfect shape. It is a very easy 4 bolt removal, you just disconnect the harness and evap/pcv lines carefully, and it uses an o-ring style rubber gasket so you are all set there. But if you are just doing it for maintenance, I see no reason to remove it. Just don't go crazy and flood your intake manifold with cleaner. Obviously I am not aware of your mechanical skills, so if it's something you are not familiar with I would just leave it be and clean it while installed.

If you do remove it be sure to not tighten the bolts down too tight on reinstallation. The throttle body bolts should only be tightened down to 89 inch pounds/10 Nm, which is not very tight at all.

[neil4374]

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

If you mean while the car is off, then yeah you should be able to do that. Honestly, I have moved my blade with my hand but I just made sure to be gentle and not let it slam closed or overextend it. But most will say to not open/close with your hands.

If your throttle body is seriously dirty I would just remove it for cleaning so you can reach everything and get it in perfect shape. It is a very easy 4 bolt removal and it uses an o-ring style rubber gasket, so you are all set there. But if you are just doing it for maintenance, I see no reason to remove it. Just don't go crazy and flood your intake manifold with cleaner.

If you remove it be sure to not tighten the bolts down too tight on reinstallation. The throttle body bolts should only be tightened down to 89 inch pounds/10 Nm, which is not very tight at all.

Thanks
As always, the advice is much appreciated!
I will take your advice and not remove it unless it’s real dirty. If I have to remove it, I’ll be careful to not over tighten the four bolts.( I don’t have a torque wrench)

[InFiD3ViL]

Originally Posted by neil4374

Thanks
As always, the advice is much appreciated!
I will take your advice and not remove it unless it’s real dirty. If I have to remove it, I’ll be careful to not over tighten the four bolts.( I don’t have a torque wrench)

No problem at all man.