clean the throttle body after 100000kms?

[ravenp]

Hey gang...i did a search and found nothing!

I just pulled a 16.0 at the track and i'm desparate to hit 15.9 before the season is over. I know I could do some serious weight reduction to accomplish this but i'd rather get the hp out of the car first if possible.

I haven't cleaned the TB since i've owned the car and i'm sure the previous owner didn't either.

How often should I do it? Is it tricky on a 97(assuming I have to remove the MAF screen)? Any recommendations on what to use(standard tb cleaner?)

Thanks...

[vtv6firebird]

It's no big deal at all, just take off your intake, and the MAF screen start the car and spray, either while someone else is pressing on and off the gas pedal or you can use your free hand right there on the throttle body to open the butterfly as you spray. If you spray too much it may choke the car out, but thats no biggy. Just start it again, no harm done.

Personally I use the spray version of Deep Creep, does a good job cleaning and lubricating the butterfly. Also use this to clean the IAC valve, it helped staighten up a rough idle. Hell I use it for everything. I clean my throttle body about twice a year. Spraying in there also cleans out the intake some, assuming you spray enough.

[phoenix64]

I remove my entire tb to get better access to the intake. It is easy to do and well worth the time it takes. I use TB cleaner, that I get free from work. You might want to let it air out before you start it, I've have personaly wittnessed 2 fires caused by TB and carb cleaner.

[JML97-3.8]

yeah, I cleaned mine when i installed my tb spacer and it was full of soot. just take the whole tb off then you dont have to mess with the screen. an you can clean it better that way.

[Dirty8-un-Dreds]

Could cleaning it cause possible gains? gas mileage? Hp? I think ill just go out and do that as we speak =) Ive been experiencing poor gas mileage and seemingly low numbers at the track, i guess its worth it for free huh.

[Wolfy]

i head that you could possibly damage the mass air flow sensor by spraying tb cleaner in there, is this true, or just a myth, or would it work to take out the maf and then clean the tb. cuz im thinking it wouldn't hurt to clean mine up a bit

[OneQuickV6]

Well I have cleaned mine at least twice, it has almost 40k miles. First time I left it on there, and has someone press the gas while I sprayed around the MAF as not to damage it. Last time, I went ahead and took off the entire throttle body...Glad I did, because the backside of the butteryfly was NASTY! I used good ole' B12 carb cleaner on mine. I took off the MAF sensor and of course had the screen off. Just spray it and let it eat up the nastiness. Let it dry out pretty good, and put it abck together. You will need either a new TB mounting gasket, or some RED RTV silicone to make a new gasket. I have never seen a TB like ours come off with the old gasket in perfect shape, so be prepared for that.

As far as gains, it couldn't hurt your times any! I figure it can only help, but I wouldn't expect a tenth from this alone. It's more maintenance like changing sprak plugs and such really.

[ravenp]

Thanks for all the info guys!!! This is great...

I know it won't likely give me a tenth, but i'm most concerned about getting the car running at it's optimum performance before i spend $$$

If that optimum gives me a 16.0...then so be it... I'll drop weight [img]smile.gif[/img]

Later

[nova]

Give it a full treatment of seafoam. Seafoam can be found at your friendly neighborhood NAPA.

I just did that on my 3.4L with 143,000 miles on it and its running like a new car.

Good SeaFoam instructions