How To: Throttle body cleaning 2005+ V6

Yup, 2 feet was about right. Used my finger to plug hose while undid radiator cap. Is fluid just there to cool TB or another purpose? Never considered TB would be liquid cooled

 

I just stumbled across this thread and I will definitely be doing this procedure along with new plugs and filter. So I'm curious, I wonder if a dirty TB would cause a knock? I'm at 265,000 and pretty sure it's never been done. At least since I got her at 90,000. I'm asking because I'm getting a knock sensor code and before I commit her to a shop I want to do everything I can on my own.

 

I did my throttle body and MAF today followed this thread. Thanks to genxer36 for the write up and pictures. I took my TB right off to clean the back side better, it was not as bad as I thought it would be but there was some build up there. I also took my MAF out to clean it. I did disconnect the negative from the battery. When I first started it it stalled then the second time it stayed running at high RPM around 2000 then went for a 8km ride and it down to around 700 RPM. I was really surprised at the throttle response. I guess I will be doing this more often. Again thanks to genxer36.

 

196k miles, probably the first cleaning, since I doubt the previous owner did it. Only cost me $6.50 for the carb cleaner. I already had the electrical connector cleaner.

The MAF sensor was spotless, but I cleaned it anyway. Easy to remove with a flathead screwdriver to help push the clip off. I've never used an oiled filter, only OEM. I bet most of us could skip this part if mine was still clean at 196k.

The MAF side of the TB was not so bad, but the side leading to the intake was gross! The sidewalls were gunked up pretty seriously. The whole thing took maybe an hour since the cleaning took so long.

Idle and throttle response is so much better!

Both of these pics are before any cleaning:

 

Hello all mighty tacomoaworld

The black piece the throttle body connects to had a lot of residue/gunk. How dod u guys clean back there? Thinking maybe from extra oil in a K&N reusable filter. Hopefully not something more serious.

I did try to scan all of the responses. 26 pages left me crosseyed. Appreciate any advice

 

Could this one be good as well? No more CRC throttle body cleaner anymore...

 

I love the ARROW!!

 

Just finished cleaning my 2013's throttle body and MAF sensor. Just shy of 117K miles on the truck and to my knowledge this is the first time it's been done. Neither part were that dirty, especially not compared to some photos I've seen in this thread, but I run paper filters and it's really dry here. But still both cleaned up well, and a lot more black came off the throttle body (front and back and in the middle) than I expected based on how it looked before scrubbing. I opted to do most of the cleaning with a rag somewhat soaked with the cleaner which did a great job, and then sprayed the hinge points liberally and continued to scrub with the rag. Came out sparkling clean and more freely moving.

Southwest desert truck so no rust or corrosion really on the engine parts, but tons of dust was built up under the engine cover from dirt roads and a few dust storms in its life. So I had to take some time to clean as much of that as I could with a rag and paper shop towels. I used a leaf blower to displace any loose dirt after that, before unscrewing and carefully removing the MAF sensor. Came out easy!

MAF was a bit dusty, no oil or grime but covered in a thin layer of dust. The MAF cleaner spray cleaned it up really really nice, and since it was removed from the housing I could be sure I was cleaning the wires inside. Left that to dry while I took care of the throttle body. Side note, I put a new o ring on it once fully dry and clean.

Since my 2013 has a secondary air filter, I had to take that out so I could raise up the intake and MAF housing. It took me a bit to figure that part out lol. I used hobby wire to the antenna like OP.

I used the rag with some tb cleaner on it to hand wipe out the black part that goes into the engine while I had the tb removed, some grime came out of there but not that much- I didn't go crazy scrubbing it down. I cleaned all the connection plate facings and replaced the throttle body O ring gasket before reassembling and torquing the 4 tb bolts down to 108 inch lbs / 9 ft lbs. That was the part I was the most worried about but it turned out to be the easiest. I used a Fel Pro brand gasket that was an exact OE replacement and worked great.

I did not use any silicone on either the MAF Sensor or Throttle Body O Rings since I didn't want to introduce any grease to those areas. Just put them both in clean and dry- from what I could tell the stock gaskets were dry when I took them off.

When I started the truck back up after reconnecting the battery I was pleased that there were no codes, and all was as expected. Let it idle for 15 minutes to let the computer relearn some stuff and bring the idle back down to 600-700rpm. I'm really excited to drive it tomorrow and see how it feels! Finished it super late at night lol.

*Edit* The truck is driving nice, it accelerates and shifts a bit smoother than before. Not a massive difference for me but definitely worth it, and a fun learning experience.

 

Just got my 2011 with 96xxx miles on it, planning on this for the weekend thanks for the write up!

 

Excellent help!
How applicable is this to a Gen3(?) 2019 Taco SR5 4X4 4 liter V6?
* I have search hi and lo for a Service Manual for 2019, but doesn't look like Haynes has published one yet.