Hey all,

Finally decided to clean my TB after experiencing the same near-stall just after cold start that a few other folks have fixed with a clean TB.

I popped the hood, yanked off the intake hose just before the TB, and verified a noticeable buildup of carbon - especially around the tiny hole in the bottom of the TB which looks like it's supposed to allow a tiny amount of air through for idle. The buildup here would easily explain why the car starts, then falters as the idle air bypass hole is partially blocked. Then the Idle Air control valve opens up to (try to) save the engine from stalling.

So, cleaned the TB out (10 mins with paper towels and specific "Fuel Injection Intake Cleaner" I got from Napa for $3.50) and put it all back together.

When I tried to start up the engine had some problems as it worked through the overspray of TB cleaner that was still in the manifold, but then smoothed out. I went for a spin... Gotta say, this is the first car that I've ever had that after a year of driving and no performance mods (stock 'sept K&N drop-in) that every single time I drop a gear, spin up to 4k I STILL get a smile on my face - every time I do that... Damn, the '96 5spd is FAST! The Butt Dyno registered 50 extra hp tonight... The idle is not any smoother because the idle was steady as a rock before I did this. The power seems smoother and increased, but it's all in my head. Or in my butt, whichever you prefer.

I can't tell you if the cold start near-stall is fixed until tomorrow morning when the car has had a chance to chill overnight. Literally chill, that is. Will follow up in a day or two.

 

I had the same starting problems once in awhile before it was cleaned. Now it starts up fine everytime. I didnt notice any power increase like you did but it idles about 200 rpm higher than it did before so I guess it made the flow more freely.

 

oh btw what was your milage when you finally cleaned it? I had 36,000

 

man.. if it doesn't fix the problem tommorow.. i say.. Scruit

 

 

 

Hm...all the recent post about cleaning out the throttle body is making me think I should do the same. I sort of clean it a bit with just a paper towel. Not enough I'm sure. My idle has been acting a bit weird lately, I wonder would cleaning the throttle body help? Only one way to find out.

 

Damn cumalot, I love that black on black look

When I cleaned mine, I notice smoother power too, hmm, not as smooth anymore, maybe I should clean it...yup, tomorrow I will do that....

I should try a g-tech run before and after too,,,,hmmm, maybe I'll do that....yeah I will....

 

Oh, so you finally figured my name out? ;-)

And sheesh... Sprint, you really love those police smilies...