Throttle body is a crucial part of vehicle which regulates the amount of air intake into engine. After driving your vehicle for around 70000 mile, consideration of maintenance of throttle body is necessary. Throttle body cleaning requires no excessive knowledge of mechanical field as it can consider DIY process with some cleaners and tools. While, throttle body cleaning enhances the driving dynamics of vehicle by eliminating the stalling or bad idle during initial acceleration. Over the time, dirt and grease gets accumulated in the throttle body which may surprise you while cleaning.
The best part of throttle body cleaning is, you don’t have to dismantle the throttle body from your vehicle. After going through this article, you will get all the answers for the query, How to clean throttle body without removing it?
Materials and Tools Required For Cleaning of Throttle Body
For cleaning of throttle body, few materials and tools are required which are mentioned below:
1. Screwdrivers
2. Socket Wrench
3. Torx Bits
4. Safety Gloves and Goggles
5. Flashlight
6. Towel of paper
7. Throttle Body cleaner, which can be obtained from automobile store.
8. Special Throttle cleaning brush
9. Cotton mop
Setup Required For Cleaning of Throttle Body
For carrying out any such DIY projects, it is recommended to follow all the safety measure with full caution. Always wear safety gloves and goggles for your protection of hands and eyes respectively. And statuary warning, smoking is strictly prohibited during vehicle related works.
Firstly, vehicle should be moved out from garage or parking area as cleaning of throttle body is not recommended in indoor because of its volatile nature. After that, open the hood and locate the throttle body in the engine compartment. Usually throttle bodies are made-up of aluminium and located between intake manifold and air cleaner. Now, look for the connection between air intake tubes and throttle body because sometime, they are connected with fasteners which have to be removed by screwdriver. And make sure; do not disturb the electrical connection of the throttle body.
Steps for Cleaning Throttle Body without Removing It
- Firstly, disconnect the battery negative of your vehicle for safety precaution. Then locate the huge air duct which connects the air cleaner and throttle body. You will find the air duct being keyed with some type of clamp whose screw can be loosened with screwdriver, after which air duct can be easily removed. Ensure that, electrical connection of the air duct must be disconnected.
- Then remove the air duct to expose throttle body and movable plate of it. And if there is some kind of gaskets present inside, then make sure it doesn’t get damaged.
- Now initiate spraying of throttle body cleaner inside the throttle body and utilize the throttle cleaning brush to eliminate any kind of dirt or grease. Use paper towel to clean the residue from time to time.
- Repeat the above steps as long as bare metal gets completely clean. Using paper towel, clean the liquid residue on throttle body as well as the surrounding of engine components.
- Then, re-assemble the air duct by tightening the clamp by the use of screwdriver and restore the electrical connections. Finally, connect back the negative of the battery.
- Now, start the vehicle. Initially you might face some issues of uneven RPM or stumbling which is quite normal as it happens due to the burning of residual throttle body cleaner liquid present inside intake manifold. After it gets burn, no such issues will be faced.
- Then feel the difference in your vehicle after cleaning the throttle body in terms performance and fuel economy.
Is Throttle Body Cleaner Safe for Vehicle
However, such questions are very likely can come to mind. But the answer is big NO!!! As these throttle body cleaner will never harm your engine as it is being developed to remove any kind dirt or grease from the throttle body. But excessive use of throttle body cleaner can cause overflowing of cleaner liquid into the engine; still it will not impact the engine condition.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, now you have complete information regarding, How to clean throttle body without removing it? Usually throttle cleaning is required for periodic maintenance of your vehicle for better performance. Safety measure is a crucial aspect which is to be considered while cleaning the throttle body. And if you face any problem or lack confidence in executing this cleaning process, then you reach out to any professional. Otherwise, it may result in some negative way.
