Throttle body cleaning

[pipspeak]

Went in for an oil change and the stealership "recommends" an EFI flush and throttle body clean. Frankly I think this recommendation is nothing more than a money spinner since my truck has absolutely no idle problems but it does now have 55K miles (over 50K and all sorts of stealership "recommendations" start appearing). However, I do have a can of T-body cleaner so I figured there's no hard in giving the throttle body a clean myself.

My question is can you effectively clean the throttle body without removing it entirely from the engine? I don't want to be flapping around the butterfly valve for fear of damaging the servo, so without removing the body altogether I'll really only be cleaning one side. Is that worth it?

Also planning to clean the MAF while I'm at it, and rather than paying the stealership for their "EFI Flush" I figured I'd just run a can of BG 44K through the gas tank.

 

[ALLEGRO]

Congratulations, you are a winner.

You did NOT fall for the up-sale. Unless you are experiencing rough idling or poor mileage, good fuel and proper service is all you need.

My suggestion is to take the money you just saved and take you and your wife out to a good dinner......it will be way more fun than wasting your money at the "stealership."

 

[pipspeak]

Is it worth me cleaning the throttle body myself anyway? If I can do it wothout removing the body altogether then it's a 10 minute job.

 

[074.0Runner]

Is it worth me cleaning the throttle body myself anyway? If I can do it wothout removing the body altogether then it's a 10 minute job.

Yes. On every vehicle I have done it to, it hasnt cost me more than $5 (Gasket and carb cleaner) and 35 minutes.

 

[witchdoctor]

I've never done the TB or MAF cleaning,,, please send some pics - but am sure its not that difficult. Just did my own 60k service, which took approx 1.5 hrs. Truck runs great no idle issues at all.

 

[ALLEGRO]

I've never done the TB or MAF cleaning,,, please send some pics - but am sure its not that difficult. Just did my own 60k service, which took approx 1.5 hrs. Truck runs great no idle issues at all.

MAF cleaning is a snap, simply take it off, spray with some MAF Cleaner and let it dry. Sleazy-Easy

 

[810moto]

I agree, being a DIY person saves alot of money and you learn about your vehicle. Cleaning the MAF and throttle body is easy as pie. 4 bolts on the throttle body and one or two on the MAF. I recently did both on mine at 82,000 +/- a few, and just sprayed some throttle body cleaner on a rag, wipped the inside out on the throttle body and cleaned the valve. It's no biggie at all. My 10yr son could have even done it. My only word of caution is just make sure you don't leak coolant all over your motor or you get that lovely smell for a short time. Cleaning the MAF is a breeze also, just unscrew it, spray it, let it dry, reinstall.
Done in about 30 minutes.
Just search around if you run into trouble, there is plenty of help on here.

Watch this... How-to Clean Mass Air Flow Sensor on Vimeo
and check this out also. Toyota 4Runner Highlander Throttle Body cleaning and O Gasket Mod

 

[fourwd1]

If you search there are plenty of how-to's on TB and MAF cleaning. Just be careful with the MAF, they are somewhat delicate.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I agree way to ruin there day. I'd bet you saved at least $100. @810 thanks 4 the info. anyone know if that gasket mod work on the 1gr? I guess not but wanna make sure

 

[810moto]

I agree way to ruin there day. I'd bet you saved at least $100. @810 thanks 4 the info. anyone know if that gasket mod work on the 1gr? I guess not but wanna make sure

guess you could just dremel it out and see if you gain anything. I mean afterall, it's just a TB gasket. It would be different if you were trying rockers and lifters with a Chevy camshaft. Heck, go for it.