Throttle Body Cleaning

Here's a really good video on cleaning a Toyota throttle body.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3B-a8WJtd8w

 

Unless it has jets, a double pump, a float, choke, and mechanical linkage.. I'd be lost.

 

I just pulled throttle body on mother in laws Lexus and replaced the IAC valve. I cleaned it spotless with paper towels, ear swabs, toothbrush, and carb cleaner. It's a very simple procedure and I recommend to do spark plugs at same time.

 

Funny story, when I was in high school (80's), I had several friends that "claimed" they knew how to rebuild and setup a carburetor.

After filling up my parents garage with thick black smoke, I quickly decided to buy a brand new carburetor for my new engine and not let anybody touch it. That was one of my better decisions.

 

I can relate 100% and know 1st hand that rebuilding carbs on cars I never had any luck. And not to top your story but add to it: In the 90's I purchased an AMC Hornet for my girlfriend. I bought a carburetor rebuild kit for it. Our mechanic at work (ASE certified) warned me that once a carb wears out they never run right with an "off the shelf" rebuild kit. He was right. The car never idled or ran right. I ended up getting a fully rebuilt one. Heck it was not much more than the rebuild kit anyway!!

 

Bet you wish you still had that Hornet! Which engine did it have?

 

I will say I changed the spark plugs and cleaned the throttlebody at around 120,000 miles on my fifth generation, because the manual says to do so, yet the plugs weren’t particularly foul and the throttlebody wasn’t particularly dirty, and I didn’t notice any improvement in performance after.

 

Straight 6. Unfortunately she wrecked it just a few months after I gave it to her. Totaled....

 

I noticed a big difference only because the IAC valve was sticking. The stock Denso plugs looked really good when removed.