How To: Throttle body cleaning 2005+ V6

try installing a oil catch can. might stop all that junk from getting in there in the first place!

 

sub'd

 

I decided to do this today since I was also changing my spark plugs.

Great easy to follow write up, thanks for the pics too.

 

Ok, finally did this today, MAF and TB cleaning. Thanks for the excellent write up. I left the MAF in per the write up, but actually took my TB completely off to make it easier to clean. The biggest PITA about this whole project was getting the two hoses off the TB after unclamping and moving them out of the way.

Few things I noticed: The side of my TB closest to the engine, was black black black. I mean damn. After re-assembling everything, my truck started right up. Didn't struggle or sputter to get going at all. There was a some white smoke coming out of the exhaust though. Took it for a quick drive, and acceleration was fine and seemed greatly improved. Smoother and more responsive. But my idle is around 750 RPM. I did undo the negative battery cable during the whole process.

I fully expected after doing this that my idle would be higher, my truck would initially have trouble starting the first time, and acceleration would be lagging at first, similar to what others where saying happened with them. Did I perhaps do something wrong or miss something?

Another thing I noticed, when the TB butterfly is in it's neutral resting position, there is a very slight gap at the top and bottom where air could slip through. It's very very small though. You can physically push it completely closed, but it opens back up when you let pressure off. Not sure if this is normal, first time I've looked at a TB up close.

 

Engine at high idle is normal. Sometimes it takes a few hours of driving before the idle returns to normal. By disconnecting the battery the computer is reset to a certain degree, so it takes some driving to allow the computer to reprogram.

I later found that if you don't like the way your truck is idling or shifting (which can change whenever you disconnect the battery) that removing and cleaning the MAS sensor is the remedy. It's really easy to do and the sensors are in a casing, so unless you stick something in the casing or drop the whole thing it's not going to break. REMEMBER TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST before you remove the MAS sensor. Spray it clean, let it dry and then reinstall. You might get a high idle at first, but after a couple of short drives you should notice the truck idling and shifting a lot better than before at least it did for me.

I also noticed the TB butterfly had a slight gap when closed, I think it's normal for our trucks. If you look at the pictures in the beginning of this thread it also looks like the OP's butterfly does not completely close as well.

 

120,000 miles and it was filthy. Cleaned it up and reinstalled. The idle is at 1700 like others and is slowly returning to normal. The engine seems to fire up a little faster and shuts down smoother. Pretty impressed. I didn't think it would do much, but it was definitely worth it.

 

one of the best writ up,thankyou

 

Thanks to the OP genxer36 (Sean) for the excellent write-up. Saves us members some $$

I did mine yesterday @ 41,980 mi. I highly recommend removing the throttle body to clean out the back side. It's so easy to do. Mine had light carbon build-up. Probably could've waited for 50-60k mi. to do this service. I don't know what the recommended mileage is. Maybe another member can let us know. But I'm glad I did it, just out of curiosity to see how dirty the throttle body was. For those of you close to my mileage, you can wait a little longer to do this. My truck seems to idle a tiny bit smoother

 

I have 117,000 miles and mine pretty much looked just like that

 

I'm at 25K on my 2012. I'm thinking about adding this maintenance item to the 30K interval with all the major fluid changes. Thanks for the write up.

 

haha! Thanks for the write up. It was exactly what I needed to complete the task and not blow my truck up...

It is amazing at just 55,000 miles that this would make her run so much better and smoother, and idle so nicely. It feels as if about 40 horspower has been freed up..

I didn't clean the MAF ( Mass Air Flow Sensor) but I guess I should clean it at some point?

I don't get it really, but what makes it idle so much smoother when one cleans the throttle body?

pick up your present below

 

I'm glad it helped.

To answer your question on smooth idle. The carbon build up in the throttle body and around the butterfly, causes the butterfly to stick or not open easily. Once cleaned, as you know, the idle is better. The throttle response is also improved.

 

The 1st time I performed the same mass air & throttle body cleaning was w/ my 99 ford ranger XLT, which was simple, cuz i didn't read the directions on both cans, BUt while idling, cleaned mass, the idle was about to dye, but hit the throttle and kept going a few more squirts to mass air sens.,, same w/ throttle body, unhooked air houseing & cleaned it while spraying mass air sensor into , It's the same spray, different name!! That being said!

Since I bought the 2011 taco, throwed away the air filter @ 5000 miles, went w/ the K&N air filter! with this filter, & maintenance on the K&N, relubeing the K&N air filter, contaminants should be minimal to the mass air sensor & throttle body, AND depending your driving climate, is it dusty,& Humid ? This is where U want to Rinse & relube UR K&N air filter more often, I do mine evry 12,000 mile Royal Purple oil change.. U might say thats too long, Not for synthetic, AND I change My wix filter evry 6000miles!!! My engines have always ran strong @ those specs. And my 99 ford is still running as it was when it was 35,000 miles!

Kinda got off the subject on the Toyota's, but wanted to stress the importance on a maintenance plan and other great products other than OEM, OEM is not always the best if You want Longer mileage or even Better MPG! I have no problems with my vehicles &/Or Equipment I have!

 

176,000 miles NEVER touched this

This was an EASY maint. job, on my agenda for every other oil change.

I noticed a HUGE difference in response
hopefully I will at the pump.

Also I noticed the idle was high upon first stratup but it has since settled down.

 

Nice write up. Thanks. Question, While at the dealer on other business, I asked a tech about some auto shifting issues and during his response he mentioned that after disconnecting the battery, one "should" have the computer reprogramed as it will reset the performance perameters of both engine & tranny to factory spec's. Your thoughts or anyone elses would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.
Reset to factory specs as opposed to what?
Computer needing reprograming is hogwash. So does that dealer use that scare tactic to sell batteries & upcharge a fee to "reprogram the computer"? That would be insanity if a vehicle needed reprogramming every time the battery is disconnected. I have disconnected the battery once with my 2012 & no issues. I replaced the battery & disconnected 2 or 3 times on my 2005 Tacoma with no issues.

 

Awesome write up!!! Thank you for all your time and energy to post such a helpful write up!

 

I have an 08 with 90K. The check engine light came on, and I have to start it twice each time I start it. Then it runs Ok. The dealer said it was the throttle body motor was inopperative. He said I had to change the whole throttle body assembly. Other than on starts, it runs fine.
Any experience with this one?

 

Never heard of a tb motor failure. I guess it could happen. I'm not a professional mechanic, so I have no idea. I would pose this question in your own thread. I know there are a few Toyota mechnics on tw. I'm sure someone may offer some good advice. Good luck.