Throttle body cleaning

KEVIN PATEL

MEMBER
2010 TOYOTA COROLLA
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
49,000 MILES

Hi,

I have got Toyota Wish (2ZR-FAE engine I believe which is same as Corolla) and when starting it cold, the rpm's spike to 1,500 for a while and then steadies at 1,000. This only happens when engine is cold.

So I believe it is throttle body which needs cleaning. It only happens when engine is cold.

Is it safe to touch butterfly valve after removing it from car for cleaning? Some people says, do not touch it with hands? Does throttle body need relearning after attaching it back? What are the precaution I should take?

Please help.

Thanks

3 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,560 POSTS

From what I can find cleaning it is not any worse than the rest. Disconnect the negative battery cable, then remove the air duct from the air box. Now you have the throttle body out in the open. At this point you can clean it on the car or remove it. Personally I would just clean it on the car, less mess that way. Do not spray the cleaner into it. You use a paper towel or similar and spray the cleaner onto it then wipe off the throttle plate and the inside of the bore. Be sure to use actual throttle body cleaner, some throttle bodies have a coating to help prevent the build up, you do not want to risk making it soft or removing it as that could cause sticking. If your throttle body looks like the picture or worse a cleaning should help.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 AT 1:59 PM

KEVIN PATEL

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply. When cleaning it on car, how can I open butterfly valve and if I touch it with hand while cleaning will it cause any issues? Or it is better to remove to clean it properly from other side as well and once removed can I push gently to open butterfly? Does it need any relearning after it?

Thanks

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Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 AT 2:35 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,560 POSTS

You can open it gently either way, just push in at the bottom to open it. Will not cause a problem as long as you disconnect the battery first. Once it's clean and you re-connect the battery it may take a few minutes driving to relearn the new clean idle position but no reprogramming.

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Thursday, June 7th, 2018 AT 10:55 AM