DIY: Clean your Throttle Bodies
07-04-2012, 12:28 PM
#121
Registered User
Thread Starter
Made a quick video of the process. Notice that I did not disconnect the battery, harness or move the TB plates. Like I said you can try this method and it will fix the idle issues but the cleaning will not be as thorough. Figured those who don't wanna have any idle issues after cleaning should try this method instead. I also included a cold start and warm idle after cleaning as well as some revving to show you the idle afterwards.
07-11-2012, 04:08 PM
#122
since so many had idle issues after cleaning the TB, should the butterfly valve be touched/moved or not? for the people who did not have any issues, did you touch/move the valve?
08-08-2012, 01:38 PM
#123
Just completed the TB clean today and what a difference it made. I'm at 73k miles on my 08. I made the mistake of opening the valves and cleaning them too. I know everyone says it's safe on here, but seriously to anyone who is considering this, don't do it. If you damage that throttle body, its 500 bucks per side. Cleaning with Q-tips and not opening the valves is the safest way to go for sure. I wish I hadn't opened the valves.
Before: Fluctuating idle, car would surge forward when coming to a stop, bogged down acceleration, poorer than usual gas mileage. I seriously thought there was something wrong in my transmission/ engine.
After the cleaning: High idle, but steady. I had to perform the resets listed above me. I was unable to get the car to do Idle Air Volume reset, so I took it to a friends shop and had him use the scan tool to reset it that way.
It drives like a totally different car now. All of these problems were alleviated. Great write-up to the OP
Before: Fluctuating idle, car would surge forward when coming to a stop, bogged down acceleration, poorer than usual gas mileage. I seriously thought there was something wrong in my transmission/ engine.
After the cleaning: High idle, but steady. I had to perform the resets listed above me. I was unable to get the car to do Idle Air Volume reset, so I took it to a friends shop and had him use the scan tool to reset it that way.
It drives like a totally different car now. All of these problems were alleviated. Great write-up to the OP
08-17-2012, 04:41 AM
#124
my valve didn't look anything like that. My experience was exactly like the video Q8y posted. Got scared when I started the car and it was showing 3000rpm. Waited and idled around 850-900. Usually around the summer I'll have that start up stall out problem but doesn't seem to occur anymore.
08-25-2012, 06:11 PM
#125
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Location: Georgetown Ontario Canada
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I'm not certain - and this isn't directed to any specific member - but I think some folks haven't completely read what the OP listed as the steps to do this cleaning. I re-read it several times to make sure I was aware of the whole - to open the butterfly valve or not bit - as it seemed to cause lots of discussion.....
To reiterate - remove the TB's from the plenum - but do not remove or disconnect any electrical - or hoses that are attached to the TB. You will have enough room to manipulate the TB is both directions so you can get at both sides of the TB.
Go ahead and open the butterfly valve to thoroughly clean inside the TB where the Butterfly valve rests in the closed position.
Flip it over carefully and repeat the cleaning process.
Button everything back up and from my efforts today - the idle went up to about 1500 on initial start up, then calmed down to settle at about 925-950 by my "Eye Tachometer".
Dead smooth now - and I love it!
Thanks to the OP for the initial posting of this DIY - much appreciated!!
I have 52,000km on the clock.
To reiterate - remove the TB's from the plenum - but do not remove or disconnect any electrical - or hoses that are attached to the TB. You will have enough room to manipulate the TB is both directions so you can get at both sides of the TB.
Go ahead and open the butterfly valve to thoroughly clean inside the TB where the Butterfly valve rests in the closed position.
Flip it over carefully and repeat the cleaning process.
Button everything back up and from my efforts today - the idle went up to about 1500 on initial start up, then calmed down to settle at about 925-950 by my "Eye Tachometer".
Dead smooth now - and I love it!
Thanks to the OP for the initial posting of this DIY - much appreciated!!
I have 52,000km on the clock.
08-30-2012, 11:33 AM
#126
did this DIY. Good results after.
There was some gunk, cleaned it with TB cleaner and opened the butterfly valve to clean it around that area. When I started the engine, the rpm was high but settled down quickly to 900 rpm.
Took it for a drive, throttle revs better now and seemed to have picked up some power!!!
Will try to do relearn procedures in few days.
But definitely recommended procedure if your car has enough mileage.
Also noticed that the vacuum hose to my Gen 3 was cracked, replaced that as well.
There was some gunk, cleaned it with TB cleaner and opened the butterfly valve to clean it around that area. When I started the engine, the rpm was high but settled down quickly to 900 rpm.
Took it for a drive, throttle revs better now and seemed to have picked up some power!!!
Will try to do relearn procedures in few days.
But definitely recommended procedure if your car has enough mileage.
Also noticed that the vacuum hose to my Gen 3 was cracked, replaced that as well.
11-19-2012, 01:03 AM
#130
Thanks for the write up! Just got mine done today and no more rough idle. My car use to "shudders" when it comes to a stop and then the rpm goes up about ~800 then drops back down to the normal 650. After I cleaned it up a bit it stopped doing that. Initially my idle after I cleaned it was about 900 rpm which was a bit high and got me scared. But after I drove it for a little bit it went back to the normal 650 rpm idle.
I didn't move the valve too much. I only pushed it about 2-3mm so I can get rid of the gunk that sits right in between the valve and the body.
I didn't move the valve too much. I only pushed it about 2-3mm so I can get rid of the gunk that sits right in between the valve and the body.
02-06-2013, 01:41 AM
#132
Just did this today. Pretty easy and straightforward. I ended up moving the valves a bit on the throttle body. I have 25k miles and im surprised there is that much buildup on my TBs maybe its due to my stillen gen3s.
I drove the car around and it did feel slightly more perky but idle was weird so I decided to do a idle air reset as stated on page 6 and a ecu reset. Took a few tries but finally got it done with a stopwatch. Now the car is normal again.
I drove the car around and it did feel slightly more perky but idle was weird so I decided to do a idle air reset as stated on page 6 and a ecu reset. Took a few tries but finally got it done with a stopwatch. Now the car is normal again.
