I was wondering if its ok to clean the throttle body by spraying the cleaner into to the throttle while the car is running like the carb cleaner bottle suggests, cause on the motavate's website (http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/518) the instructions doesnt mention anything about it. Has anyone cleaned while the engine was running? Did you end up with a CEL? did it go away after you put everything back together?

 

Not sure why you would want to clean the thorttle body while the engine is running, when you open the butterfly plate to clean in there you'll be reving your engine many times and holding it while you clean, just doesnt make sense.

Make sure the car is off, then take off all the intake, and clean the thorttle body that way.

PLus you'd get baked from the heat if the car was running while you were cleaning.

 

you are right makes sense what you said but the carb clearner's instruction says to do it with the engine in idle thts why i was wondering if it can be done or not.

 

Just take the entire throttle body off and clean it even better. Doesn't take much,just a few bolts.

 

Sure you can take the TB off but then you have to go out and buy another TB gasket. Not worth the hassle and it's completely unnecessary. Turn the car off, get an old toothbrush, open the throttle plate manually, get your spray and go to town. I sprayed down the intake with the car off. I'm sure some of the spray pooled in the intake manifold but not enough to damage the engine. After i put everything back together, the engine idled a lil rough because it was burning the remainder of the cleaner off, but it went back to normal in a matter of seconds.

Whoever cleans their TB with the car on has no sense, for a number of reasons.

 

I had to change my starter, so while I had everything off, I cleaned my TB. My car runs much better. It is a simple procedure. That was the first time I had ever replaced my starter. I followed the instructions on Motorvate.com for the TB cleaning and for removing the starter. No my car is not only able to start but it is running smoother. No hesitation or anything.