DIY: Clean your Throttle Bodies
08-08-2015, 11:36 AM
#258
I pushed a little but did not force it completely open, some people have and had to do the relearn procedure after, I didn't feel like going through that so I just flexed it back a little and sprayed it really good with the TB cleaner and wiped on both sides. I was good with the results. Maybe at 60k I'll fool around a little more.... or buy some new ported TB's because RaceKar 
08-12-2015, 10:53 PM
#259
Been meaning to tackle this job for awhile. I am running the Stillen Gen 3 intakes on my 2010 sedan. Going to replace those filters soon. Ordered a pair of AEM replacements (Yeah, K&N filters too... would just rather swap out instead of clean the originals). If I can do this and not have any issues afterwards, anyone else can. The only issue really, is removing those hex bolts from the throttle bodies. The two lower ones on each side are a pain in the BUTT. Tight space, very difficult to get leverage, but I improvised and managed, somehow. Putting everything back together was much easier.
But it was all worth it. Went out on the highway and damn. Must have regained 10hp. (half kidding, kinda)
Attached is the before of the driver's side. The passenger's side was a little worse. And the lip of the plenum? Wow. That's where I got most of the gunk off with a rag sprayed with TB cleaner. I used the Valvoline heavy duty since it was on sale recently for $3-4.
But it was all worth it. Went out on the highway and damn. Must have regained 10hp. (half kidding, kinda)
Attached is the before of the driver's side. The passenger's side was a little worse. And the lip of the plenum? Wow. That's where I got most of the gunk off with a rag sprayed with TB cleaner. I used the Valvoline heavy duty since it was on sale recently for $3-4.
08-13-2015, 12:06 AM
#260
P.S. I wasn't super gentle when opening the flaps. In fact, they snapped close on me a few times when I let my grip slip. No issues at all. High idle for a few seconds after first start post-cleaning. About 2k RPM but it dropped after a few seconds. Didn't disconnect battery or anything attached to the TBs, and car was off. Took me an hour.
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jroyalty7 (09-01-2015)
10-07-2015, 09:28 AM
#264
Registered User
did mine last night, an '08 6MT coupe with 50k miles.
a. I did not unplug the battery, nor did i disconnect any electrical connections other than the MAF sensors.
b. used CRC Throttle body cleaner liberally on both sides of the butterfly valve, the edges of the valve, and the throttle body itself. You simply cannot properly clean the TB without moving the valve; you have to move it to wide open in order to clean the edge of the valve, which is critical area. used a clean cotton cloth to scrub the metal surfaces until the cloth no longer got dirty.
c. used CRC MAF cleaner to spray the MAF sensors, inside outside all over, let it air dry.
started up no problem, idle is too high, swinging a bit from 1000 to 1100 rpm but appears to be gradually working its way down to 900 now. I'm not worried in the least...the computer will gradually correct it back to the 700rpm range over the next several days i would expect.
a. I did not unplug the battery, nor did i disconnect any electrical connections other than the MAF sensors.
b. used CRC Throttle body cleaner liberally on both sides of the butterfly valve, the edges of the valve, and the throttle body itself. You simply cannot properly clean the TB without moving the valve; you have to move it to wide open in order to clean the edge of the valve, which is critical area. used a clean cotton cloth to scrub the metal surfaces until the cloth no longer got dirty.
c. used CRC MAF cleaner to spray the MAF sensors, inside outside all over, let it air dry.
started up no problem, idle is too high, swinging a bit from 1000 to 1100 rpm but appears to be gradually working its way down to 900 now. I'm not worried in the least...the computer will gradually correct it back to the 700rpm range over the next several days i would expect.
10-18-2015, 08:23 PM
#265
2010 G37x 57k miles.
Used CDC TB cleaner, took about an hour. TB hex bolts on effing tight.
Car initially idled high - 1500k, but dropped down again. I'll be driving it to work tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.
Personally I think I could have done a better cleaning job if I had taken them off completely, but time/effort. They looked ok afterward.
Before:
After:
Used CDC TB cleaner, took about an hour. TB hex bolts on effing tight.
Car initially idled high - 1500k, but dropped down again. I'll be driving it to work tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.
Personally I think I could have done a better cleaning job if I had taken them off completely, but time/effort. They looked ok afterward.
Before:
After:
Last edited by drewfinity; 10-18-2015 at 08:34 PM.
11-10-2015, 03:27 PM
#268
Registered User
I cleaned out my throttle body this past weekend when I changed my spark plugs now I'm noticed that my RPM's are fluctuating ever so slightly my car's RPM rests on about 800rpm when in parked is not normal or did I do something wrong or is it maybe that my car is learning again? I have a 2008 G37 coupe with 123,000 miles on it. Advise would be great.
11-11-2015, 01:03 PM
#269
Registered User
I'm lazy, so I had my mechanic clean the throttle bodies during it's regular service yesterday. Throttle response was greatly improved as well as overall smoothness during acceleration.
11-12-2015, 01:27 PM
#270
I suspect that people are making this more complicated than it needs to be. It took me 7 minutes to do both sides, because I got a phone call in the middle.
Don't unbolt the throttle body. Unscrew and pull off the rubber tube, hold the throttle body open with a finger, wooden dowel, etc.
Spray carb cleaner in and use a toothbrush to clean the blade top and bottom, and the tube. They can be sparkly clean in 30 seconds. Don't be shy about rinsing and using the spray.
Don't unbolt the throttle body. Unscrew and pull off the rubber tube, hold the throttle body open with a finger, wooden dowel, etc.
Spray carb cleaner in and use a toothbrush to clean the blade top and bottom, and the tube. They can be sparkly clean in 30 seconds. Don't be shy about rinsing and using the spray.