Spraying throttle body cleaner into throttle body while engine is running
This is probably a dumb question. I just changed the IAC valve and while I did that, I tried to clean out the throttle body on my 97 Ford Ranger w/ 4.0 V6. I sprayed throttle body cleaner down the throttle bore while the engine was running. I didn't remove it from the engine and the engine was running. Did I do something stupid? Because now it has a rough idle when it starts up, but when it warms up it runs fine.
My car has 143000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The engine running rough for a moment after using throttle body cleaner is a normal symptom. This should only last for a short period of time and then go away. If the issue does not go away after a few start ups or a short drive, it is possible that the throttle position sensor or mass air flow sensor could have been damaged as a result of using the throttle body cleaner. Many throttle body cleaners will specify if they are sensor safe. IF the throttle body cleaner is not sensor safe, one of the sensors may be fouled out. I would recommend having a drivability inspection performed on your vehicle to determine the exact cause if this issue persists. Consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can come to your home or office to determine the cause of this issue.
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On some vehicles, it`s possible to leave hoses and sensors connected and still move the intake air duct safely out of the way. In that case, it would be possible to spray a solvent into the throttle body opening with the engine running.
You don`t need to remove a throttle body to clean it. If you have a DBW throttle body, DO NOT MOVE THE THROTTLE PLATE MANUALLY TO CLEAN IT, especially with the key in the ON position. This will confuse the computer and it will have to be reset in order for the engine to start and run again.
However, you should only use a MAF cleaner if your throttle body is severely dirty. If your throttle body is only mildly dirty, you can clean it with a rag and some soapy water. And be sure not to use throttle body cleaner on a MAF sensor, as this can damage the sensor.
Gently spray the WD-40 Throttle Body, Carb and Choke Cleaner down the throttle body and wipe with a cloth to remove any dirt and grime. Repeat the process until it is clean and dry.
Can I Spray Carb Cleaner Inside the Spark Plug Hole? Yes, you can spray carb cleaner (or carburetor cleaner) inside the spark plug hole. This`ll help dissolve the hardened debris and loose materials in the spark plug well. After that, you can remove the filth with a compressed air can.
Carburetor Cleaner
This cleaner is also safe for rubber, vinyl, and neoprene. If your carburetor has these types of seals or gaskets, you won`t need to rebuild your carburetor after cleaning.
Cleaning the throttle body allowed more air to enter the engine, and the computer is compensating by adding more fuel. The idle will relearn if you put the vehicle in drive and allow the idle to come down with all accessories off for about two to three minutes.
Step 1: After you finish cleaning your throttle body, start the car and let it idle for four minutes. The RPMs might be high at first but should gradually settle down as the ECU absorbs the data. Step 2: Turn off the car for 90 seconds. Then, turn it back on and allow it to idle for another four minutes.
Removes gum/resin, oil, greasy deposits and dirt, evaporates fully in seconds, leaving no residue, allowing freer operation and decreased fuel consumption, helps engine idle and prevents stalling. Shake can well before use.
Filth, carbon, and dirt can build up in the housing creating problems with air flow. Known as coking, the normally smooth service for air to travel becomes full of gunk and creates an imbalance. This interrupts that perfect mixture of air and fuel which can cause the butterfly valve to get stuck.
Materials Needed For Cleaning The IACV
To clean the valve, you will need a carbon cleaning product specifically designed for cleaning IACV`s. Examples include the 3M Intake System Cleaner Kit, the CRC Throttle Body and Air Intake Cleaner, and the ATP Complete Intake System Cleaner.
I would recommend cleaning and replacing the sensors first. Generally, throttle bodies do not need to be replaced completely, but rather just need specific parts related to them replaced.
Use a cotton swab and the isopropyl alcohol to clean the metal contacts inside the throttle body and on the throttle body cover. Be very gentle with the contacts so they don`t get bent out of position. I also recommend cleaning the grooves where the gasket sits and the areas around it as well.
Yes you can. I hope your taking it off though? Best off splitting the throttle body down to its components and cleaning all and rebuilding. I did and have never had any problems.
WD-40 removes carbon residue and keeps moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires. WD stands for Water Displacement, so if your spark plugs are wet or you need to drive moisture away from ignition distributors, WD-40 will do the trick.
If you unplug the mass air flow sensor the car will start. If you try to plug it in while it`s running the car will die.
Yes, you can use a MAF cleaner on a throttle body, but you cannot use throttle body cleaner on a MAF. The MAFs are very particular. If you use the wrong kind of cleaner on the MAF sensor and it leaves a residue, it can burn a little wire if it`s a hot-wire MAF sensor.
Lubricate Spark Plugs & Other Parts
For part of your car repair and maintenance, you can use WD-40 to remove carbon residue, and keep moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires.
Usually, a 30-minute clean will give good results dependant on the age and start condition of the carburettor being cleaned. For such a short period of time it is unlikely that seals and gaskets would be damaged, especially as a limited surface area of the seals are exposed when a carburettor is in its built-up state.
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40.
As a general rule, wherever you find rubber, keep the vinegar away. The vinegar`s acid can eat away at rubber just as it does natural stone. Soap and water or a solution of soap and baking soda are the best grime busters for rubber parts.
In order to be able to clean properly, 2 products are needed, a product that cleans the fuel system, Tecflow Speed Cleaner and Tecflow Top Engine Cleaner that cleans the fuel system by the air inlet. This optimally cleans the EGR system, the EGR valves, the intake manifold and the inlet valves.
High idle speeds waste fuel, cause extra wear and tear on your engine, and can be unsafe as well. If your foot should slip off the brake as the engine revs, it could cause your vehicle to lurch forward, putting other drivers and even pedestrians at risk.
Over time, your engine`s throttle body collects debris that can make your engine idle rough and decrease fuel economy.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Spraying throttle body cleaner into throttle body while engine is running
ANSWER : The engine running rough for a moment after using throttle body cleaner is a normal symptom. This should only last for a short period of time and then go away. If the issue does not go away after a few start ups or a short drive, it is possible that the throttle position sensor or mass air flow sensor could have been damaged as a result of using the throttle body cleaner. Many throttle body cleaners will specify if they are sensor safe. IF the throttle body cleaner is not sensor safe, one of the sensors may be fouled out. I would recommend having a drivability inspection performed on your vehicle to determine the exact cause if this issue persists. Consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can come to your home or office to determine the cause of this issue.
I have a truck that won’t run and is not getting gas to the engine. Fuel pump is running, have a new filter and new fuel pressure
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a clogged fuel injector or potentially a faulty injector that is fried internally. I would suggest testing them if you have access to a multi meter. Disconnect the injector from the electrical connector and set your multi meter to Ohms mode and measure the resistance of the injector. After testing all injectors, compare the resistance. They should be the same or very close. If they are not, they will likely need to be replaced.
It sounds like you may have a clogged fuel injector or potentially a faulty injector that is fried internally. I would suggest testing them if you have access to a multi meter. Disconnect the injector from the electrical connector and set your multi meter to Ohms mode and measure the resistance of the injector. After testing all injectors, compare the resistance. They should be the same or very close. If they are not, they will likely need to be replaced.
The throttle warning light in Cel came on while driving over a mountain pass loss of power and engine died
ANSWER : It sounds like you are describing the symptoms of a failing throttle position sensor. The throttle position sensor monitors the throttle position of the throttle plate inside the throttle body in relation to your foot position on the gas pedal. Based upon the inputs from the sensor reading your foot’s position on the pedal, the ECU then makes the direction to supply more or less fuel to the motor. When this sensor is not working properly, this can cause intermittent responses when pressing the gas pedal.
There are trouble codes that are typically associated with the TPS. One code will set if the TPS voltage is too high when the computer expects to see it lower. Another code will set if the TPS voltage is lower than the computer expects to see. The TPS code for low voltage is the most common and will usually set if the TPS is out of adjustment or the sensor has failed. The first thing you should do when you get a TPS code is to check adjustment and signal output of the TP sensor before replacing it. Be sure to wiggle all connections while watching scan data/voltage readout to make sure the problem is not a loose or bad connection.
There are circumstances that could occur with a failing throttle position sensor that may not set a trouble code. One of the most common symptoms of a failing TPS would be a tip-in hesitation or stumble when you apply throttle to take off from a stop. This can be caused by a dead spot in the TP sensor’s internal circuitry, which usually causes the output voltage signal to not change (or it drops out) when the throttle opens. Unfortunately this type of failure is not easy to diagnose without the proper tool – a digital waveform scope. Most digital volt meters and scan tool displays will not respond fast enough to show this type of a glitch; but some may. If you do find this fault, then the obvious fix is to replace the TP sensor. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Is it bad when oil gets into the throttle body?
ANSWER : Hello,
I believe what you are describing is a problem with your PCV valve. A bit of oil in the throttle body is not going to harm your motor and is certainly not going to cause it to blow up. At an idle, the PCV valve restricts air flow, to reduce this problem. At high manifold vacuum (idle), a spring loaded valve is drawn up and partially restricts flow to the crankcase. The PCV system is relatively simple. An inlet hose connects to a filtered air source. This is used to supply clean air that is drawn through the engine. Most of the time this air is supplied through the engine air filter. On a few designs there is a separate inlet filter that cleans the incoming air for the PCV system only. This filtered air flows through the engine, picking up fumes and vapors. The air exits through another hose, connected to manifold vacuum. The flow of air draws fumes from the crankcase and burns them harmlessly in the engine. This also creates a slight vacuum, relieving any pressure that may build. Negative pressure helps to prevent oil leaks and oil consumption by the engine. The PCV valve also helps regulate the amount of air flow, which helps prevent oil being drawn out of the engine. When the PCV valve is not working correctly, this will cause an imbalance in air flow and vacuum causing the check engine light to come on. i would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your Jeep.
I believe what you are describing is a problem with your PCV valve. A bit of oil in the throttle body is not going to harm your motor and is certainly not going to cause it to blow up. At an idle, the PCV valve restricts air flow, to reduce this problem. At high manifold vacuum (idle), a spring loaded valve is drawn up and partially restricts flow to the crankcase. The PCV system is relatively simple. An inlet hose connects to a filtered air source. This is used to supply clean air that is drawn through the engine. Most of the time this air is supplied through the engine air filter. On a few designs there is a separate inlet filter that cleans the incoming air for the PCV system only. This filtered air flows through the engine, picking up fumes and vapors. The air exits through another hose, connected to manifold vacuum. The flow of air draws fumes from the crankcase and burns them harmlessly in the engine. This also creates a slight vacuum, relieving any pressure that may build. Negative pressure helps to prevent oil leaks and oil consumption by the engine. The PCV valve also helps regulate the amount of air flow, which helps prevent oil being drawn out of the engine. When the PCV valve is not working correctly, this will cause an imbalance in air flow and vacuum causing the check engine light to come on. i would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your Jeep.
Throttle Cleaner left in throttle body and I drove off….
ANSWER : If the vehicle is not driving correct after paying for the services then I would recommend taking it back to them as soon as possible as they should take you in and ensure they fix any problems. Especially for a 2016 vehicle, I would make sure it is absolutely fixed and done without a cost to you. If they need it for an extended period time then I’d suggest getting a loaner to drive in the meantime. If you have a misfire from the service they did, don’t wait too long to get it fixed, because the problem won’t be blamed on the recent services you had done. If you want a second opinion on the issue, contact a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic. They’ll be able to diagnose your driving symptoms firsthand and suggest what to do from there.
The engine of the car runs, but when I push the gas pedal it does not accelerate, and the engine does not rev.
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like you may have an issue with your throttle position sensor. This sensor sends a reference voltage to your power-train control module, which uses that to determine ignition timing and fuel trims. If the power-train control module is not detecting the proper signal from the throttle position sensor, the engine may not accelerate properly. It’s probably a good idea for you to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is slow to accelerate inspection first, so they can pinpoint what is causing this issue to occur and they will recommend the right repairs be completed.
I am upgrading my 2007 GT’s throttle body to a BBK 62mm throttle body.
ANSWER : Hello. The meter setting will depend on what BBK requires you to set the throttle body at. If the setting is voltage related then you need to set your meter to DC volts. That is usually what they recommend. If it is a resistance reading that they need you will set it to Ohm’s. If this is something that you would prefer to have done, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home to adjust this and insure a proper replacement of your throttle body.
Loss of power, weird sounds from the engine and hissing sound from throttle body, and a code P1346 1999 Lexus IS200
ANSWER : Hello – the P1346 problem code you have indicates a camshaft timing problem (variable valve timing to be specific), and is at least part of the cause of low power. The cams are out of time, relative to the crankshaft. The hissing sound from the throttle body area is likely an air leak from a hose, or some other portion of the air intake. The tapping sound could be a variety of faults, worn/leaking hydraulic valve lifter, worn cam, piston slap, etc. I recommend a timing belt service to get the cams properly timed, performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
