Throttle body clean

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xpd

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#248820 11-Apr-2019 12:51

Im a geek, not a mechanic.... so play nice :)

Our vehicle (2010 Mazda premacy) is exhibiting symptoms of dirty throttle body, so thought might try sorting it myself rather than paying the local mechanic more money.... ;)

I found this - https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/crc-crc-throttle-body-cleaner---500ml/326556.html - It says "without disassembly" - so does that mean I dont have to take the throttle body apart and I just spray this stuff somewhere (and if so, where) ?

The less screwdrivers and spanners required, the better ;)

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gbwelly

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#2215041 11-Apr-2019 14:29

What are your symptoms?

Usually I disconnect the mass air flow sensor, and disconnect the plastic intake piping from the throttle body. Start the car and run back round under the bonnet before it dies and start manually operating the throttle by hand. Then the spraying begins. I don't like the gunk pooling in the bottom of the throttle body, especially if the solvent evaporates before being burnt, leaving the now concentrated gunk in there. Keep your face away from the intake though as it's possible to lose your eyebrows. Hand in had with this is giving the MAF a clean too at the same time. I have never had problems due to a dirty throttle body, but have observed a slight improvement in performance after cleaning. I have however seen a dirty MAF causing problems more than once.

xpd

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#2215074 11-Apr-2019 15:13

Sluggish performance at low speed, slight rev drop when holding steady speed/revs. Spoken to our mechanic and he did mention it sounded like dirty throttle body.

CHeers

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xpd

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#2216667 13-Apr-2019 20:46

Right, used some throttle body spray, put everything back, went for a drive..... ran like a bucket of crap. Check engine light on, battery warning light on...... nooo......... then remembered I may have missed a plug.... yup.. sorte dthat, battery light gone now but check engine light still on. Car is running "fine" (def no worse). Im thinking maybe the computer needs a reset ?

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xpd

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#2216668 13-Apr-2019 20:51

WTF... everything I read online says an easy thing to try, is disconnect battery.

Then I read this on a Mazda mechanics site - "Also, you should know not to disconnect the battery cables if the light turns on for any reason. If they are connected and then reconnected, the engine could catch fire or be seriously damaged."

Umm yeah right..... I highly doubt that. Think someones trying to drum up business.

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Aredwood

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#2216672 13-Apr-2019 21:32

If the engine is running, then definitely dont disconnect the battery cables. As on some cars, not having a battery connected causes the alternator to output excessive voltage. Which is turn can cause serious damage.

And definitely make sure that you dont accidentally short circuit the battery while connecting and disconnecting the cables. A direct short circuit on a car battery will still easily produce over 1000A. That will definitely cause things to melt / catch fire / explode etc.

Aredwood

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#2216678 13-Apr-2019 21:46

If the car has an air flow meter. Running the engine without the intake pipe connected to the throttle body will cause the check engine light to switch on.

The slight rev drop could be a sticky or jammed idle control valve. (which is often part of the throttle body). Although sluggish low speed performance has lots of potential issues.

If that engine has Exhaust Gas Recirculation. I would be checking that the EGR valve is working properly. And that the intake manifold hasn't filled up with carbon.

Has your mechanic actually performed any diagnostics on your car?

xpd

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#2216751 14-Apr-2019 08:50

Managed to reset the check engine light. Will keep eye on it next few days but suspect it'll be fine now.

Car running bit smoother now, no alarms etc :)

Will be going in for service next month, so will get them to give everything a going over - unless the light comes back on.... ;)

PS: Modern Mazda engines - to reset check engine light, turn ignition to On position 3x.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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