What is the best way to clean out the throttle body? I had a Prelude I cleaned out myself with gummout just like cleaning a carb. while the engine was running. The Maxima has a MAF sensor on it. Not sure if I'll trigger a check engine light if I run the car and open up the throttle body valve to squirt gummout "by-passing" the MAF sensor. (Don't want to get this part sprayed!!!!) Daniel B. - any input?

 

I took mine off to clean it.

 

I cleaned mine with the car off. It's not necessary to run the car to clean the throttle body.

 

This job can be done by a D-I-Y mechanic. You may clean the throttle body by removing the air duct and gently rubbing the now-exposed throttle body interior with a lintless rag or a toothbrush moistened with carburetor cleaner. Hold the throttle open with your left hand while you rub with your right hand.

On a high-mileage car a metal "step" may form where the throttle blade closes against the throttle body throat. This may be addressed with a fine abrasive such as emery cloth.

 

You do not want to use carb cleaner since it's too abrasive for the coating that is on the upper intake plenum and throttle body housing. Use normal intake throttle body cleaner. Leave the carb cleaner for cars with carburetors.

 

Are you sure? I've never found an abrasive of any kind in carburetor cleaner. It is a powerful solvent.

 

contact CRC or Valvoline and they can provide any technical details about the differences between the two.

 

I went to the CRC Web site: http://www.crcindustries.com/ and searched their product catalog, but was unable to find either Carburetor cleaner or Throttle Body cleaner.

I went to the Valvoline Web site: http://www.valvoline.com/index_products.html They have only one product in this category, and it is called Carb, Choke & Throttle Body Cleaner.

Do you still think Carburetor cleaners contain abrasives? It's your turn to contribute verifiable information to this friendly debate...

 

cut & paste from Gumout's website (they make TB cleaner):
"GUMOUT® AIR INTAKE & THROTTLE BODY CLEANER is designed specifically for cleaning the inside of the
air intake system, intake manifold and combustion chambers of fuel-injected gasoline engines.

Many of the air intake system components, especially the throttle "butterfly" valve, is coated with a special material
which inhibits, but does not prevent, deposit formation. Use of regular carburetor and choke cleaners may remove or
damage this protective coating, resulting in poor engine performance and possibly the need for expensive repairs.

GUMOUT® AIR INTAKE & THROTTLE BODY CLEANER is safe for all air intake system components and will
not remove the protective coating."


I've attached a picture of one of my cans of CRC TB cleaner. I use the carb cleaner on my guns (my brother and I are gun aficionados )

 

Good information but it doesn't contain the word abrasive. That is the point of contention. I said there are no abrasives in carburetor cleaner. You said there are. Can you substantiate your assertion?

 

Where am I, in court? I'm no chemist so abrasive may not be the word to use. Who cares? Carb cleaner is not recommended for the coating inside the throttle body and plenum.

In plain English - use intake throttle body cleaner.

 

i think daniel b. was just discussing for some brain stimulation. i do it all the time, nothing is more entertaining then a well thought out arguement/discussion

 

I see from your picture that you use the super high quality 'supertech' stuff

btw, does carb cleaner or tb cleaner really work well for guns to get out all the powder/fouling? I've been using the Nitro solvents and stuff that come with the cleaning kits and sometimes you really have to work at it a while before the the barrel/parts start coming out clean... (kinda sucks because the those Nitro solvents eat right through the rubber gloves I normally use!)
-V

 

You should care. If you want people to believe you and respect your opinions, you have to be correct and accurate. Terminology is important. Sloppy language is a sign of sloppy thinking.

 

My bro use to spend $$$ on that expensive stuff until he ran out one night and rummaged through my tools & supplies and used the carb cleaner. Works like a charm. Granted, the guns are cleaned after each use (ie gun range.. we don't do drive bys lol) so they don't get too dirty.

 

My bro use to spend $$$ on that expensive stuff until he ran out one night and rummaged through my tools & supplies and used the carb cleaner. Works like a charm. Granted, the guns are cleaned after each use (ie gun range.. we don't do drive bys lol) so they don't get too dirty.