Dirty Throttle Body

Koa04 · Aug 26, 2005

I was changing my plugs and when I pulled off my CAI I noticed my throttle body had a dirty crud film inside (probably from an over oiled air-filter). I was going to pull off the throttle body but checked my service DVD first. The DVD stated the throttle body had a protective coating and was not supposed to be cleaned.

With all that dirt film inside I would think it would kill my performance. Also I wouldn't think it would just stop there in the throttle body...Maybe the film went into the plenium as well.

Any suggestions.

04GT · Aug 26, 2005

I had a problem with my MAF from over oiling my air filter. Tried cleaning it, but wound up replacing it. New stock TB is about $112. Maybe you should just replace it.

Dark Knight GT · Aug 26, 2005

Koa04 said:
I was changing my plugs and when I pulled off my CAI I noticed my throttle body had a dirty crud film inside (probably from an over oiled air-filter). I was going to pull off the throttle body but checked my service DVD first. The DVD stated the throttle body had a protective coating and was not supposed to be cleaned.

With all that dirt film inside I would think it would kill my performance. Also I wouldn't think it would just stop there in the throttle body...Maybe the film went into the plenium as well.

Any suggestions.

I have no idea what people are talking about when they say a "protective film". It must be something on the newer 4.6GT's. I have a 2001 GT and I remember cleaning the stock throttle body with carb and choke cleaner and had no problems with it at all. If you don't want to use carb cleaner, you can always use a nice metal polish to clean it up, or try to find some throttle body cleaner, which is suppost to be safe for those "protective films", whatever the hell they might be. I hear Seafoam works really well for intake parts too.

I don't think you should replace the throttle body simply cause its dirty. The only way I'de replace it is it its spring mechanism was broke, or if I was upgrading to a bigger throttle body.

Chopper1 · Aug 26, 2005

How many miles is on the car?Is the "crud" before or after the throttle blade?If the oil is inside the intake tube,the PCV system is more than likely the culprit.A small amount is normal.To check it,look inside the intake tube.Your'e looking for the place in the tube where the build-up starts.More than likely it will start behind where the PCV tube joins the air intake tube.To clean this out,use a rag dampened with kerosene.If the build-up is behind the throttle blade then it's probably the EGR valve.This is normal.It will be almost black and harder to remove.you can clean this out with a spray cleaner OK for use with throttle bodies.Performance shouldn't suffer unless the build-up is huge.

Nater · Aug 26, 2005

The manual does state that there is a protective film to lessen the build-up of crap on the throttle body. But Ford apparently does sell a throttle body cleaner that will maintain the integrity of the film. Is it the same as Gunk or all the other brands of TB cleaner out there? I don't see why it wouldn't be. I haven't looked into it that deeply but I would like to clean mine here pretty soon. I'll have to read the label of the can that I have. You could wipe it down with a clean cloth but there is no need to replace it.

Koa04 · Aug 26, 2005

The "crud" goes past the blade and it looks as if there is quite a buildup. I just changed my IAC valve because the car wouldn't idle right and I still have to get my evac emmisions system checked due to the car throwing codes. Funny part is the car only has 32,000 miles. Everything hit me after my warrenty ended.

jadesville · Aug 26, 2005

Dark Knight GT said:
I have no idea what people are talking about when they say a "protective film". It must be something on the newer 4.6GT's. I have a 2001 GT and I remember cleaning the stock throttle body with carb and choke cleaner and had no problems with it at all. If you don't want to use carb cleaner, you can always use a nice metal polish to clean it up, or try to find some throttle body cleaner, which is suppost to be safe for those "protective films", whatever the hell they might be. I hear Seafoam works really well for intake parts too.

I don't think you should replace the throttle body simply cause its dirty. The only way I'de replace it is it its spring mechanism was broke, or if I was upgrading to a bigger throttle body.

You should have a sticker on your throttle body warning you against from cleaning your throttle body. Ford's throttle body's are teflon coated and you shouldn't clean them using throttle body cleaner or carb cleaner. I use WD-40, it leaves a residue but it doesn't damage the coating. This is also not just on Mustang's I believe this is on the majority of Fords too.

Dark Knight GT · Aug 26, 2005

jadesville said:
You should have a sticker on your throttle body warning you against from cleaning your throttle body. Ford's throttle body's are teflon coated and you shouldn't clean them using throttle body cleaner or carb cleaner. I use WD-40, it leaves a residue but it doesn't damage the coating. This is also not just on Mustang's I believe this is on the majority of Fords too.

I never seen any such label on mine, or my brothers throttle bodies. Both are 2001 GT's. Again, I've cleaned them with carb and choke cleaner and I've had no problems what so ever.

Kilgore Trout · Aug 26, 2005

The Haynes manual states that you should not use spray type cleaners on the 4.6 throttle body due to the sludge resistant coating. ANY type of spray cleaner...

Dark Knight GT · Aug 26, 2005

This is the last time I'm going to say it. I don't care what your fancy little manual stipulate and I don't care what Ford claims. There was no sticker on mine, or my brothers stock throttle bodies that instructed us NOT to clean the throttle body with any kind of cleaners. I have cleaned numerous throttle bodies with carb and choke cleaner and I'm yet to have an issue with them. Feel free to do as you wish.

Nater · Aug 26, 2005

There is no sticker on mine either, but the fact is that there is a coating on them--at least Ford claims there is. If you want to spray them with a cleaner or not, that's your decision. No need to get on each other about it. Hey, it's your car, do whatever you feel like doing. I have cleaned numerous other throttle bodies with throttle body cleaner and not had an issue either.

ultrashock2112 · Aug 26, 2005

Nater said:
There is no sticker on mine either, but the fact is that there is a coating on them--at least Ford claims there is. If you want to spray them with a cleaner or not, that's your decision. No need to get on each other about it. Hey, it's your car, do whatever you feel like doing. I have cleaned numerous other throttle bodies with throttle body cleaner and not had an issue either.

Agreed, I've used carb cleaner on mine and the only difference is now it's actually CLEAN. Before it was coated with sludge - frankly, this "coating" doesn't work too well if it supposed to be sludge resistant.

Dark Knight GT · Aug 26, 2005

40th GT · Aug 26, 2005

x2
If you feel uncomfortable spraying carb cleaner on the TB, get some fuel injection intake cleaner or TB cleaner.
And if these spray cleaners take off the gunk resistant film, then just clean the TB more often..

Kilgore Trout · Aug 26, 2005

Dark Knight GT said:
This is the last time I'm going to say it. I don't care what your fancy little manual stipulate and I don't care what Ford claims. There was no sticker on mine, or my brothers stock throttle bodies that instructed us NOT to clean the throttle body with any kind of cleaners. I have cleaned numerous throttle bodies with carb and choke cleaner and I'm yet to have an issue with them. Feel free to do as you wish.

I hear you man and I agree, people should do what they feel is right to their cars. I have read in several places the info I posted and felt it was relevant to this thread though...

Dark Knight GT · Aug 26, 2005

Or, you can always just build yourself a home filtration device for the PCV system to reduce oil build up in the intake system. That's what I've done. All you need is a few hose clamps, a water/air seperator, and a couple of matching barbs. It doesn't cost but about 20 dollars for the parts and your time to install it, which is pretty straight forward.

Koa04 · Aug 26, 2005

Just curious...I've read that some people here have polished out or over bored their throttle bodies. That, I'm assuming will eliminate the protective coating as well...

Anyways, if that sludge is no big deal then I guess I won't mess with it.

blackink00 · Aug 26, 2005

i use wd-40 and have never had probs.

mrvax · Aug 27, 2005

I say clean it with carb cleaner. The protective film may be of some use but it still collected crap, didn't it. If you clean the TB as part of your routine maintenance you will have NO problem. The only drawback is that it when the coating breaks down, you may have to clean it a bit more often.

Dirty Throttle Body

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