JK Throttle Body Removal/Cleaning
11-16-2009 | 04:36 PM
#1
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ward, AR
JK Throttle Body Removal/Cleaning
Let me get right to this. If you are experiencing rough idle and/or sluggish throttle response, your throttle body is more than likely dirty. I plan to clean my throttle body every time I change the air filter, so every 10 to 12k miles. I bought my 2007 Sahara with just over 43k and I don't think it had ever been cleaned. Anyway...here we go.
Disconnect your positive battery post. Better safe than sorry.
Front view of Throttle body prior to removal and cleaning.
Slide red retaining clip on air temp sensor and unplug.
Using a flatblade screwdriver, loosen the clamps and remove the intake duct. You can now clearly see the Throttle Body has some oil film and buildup.
Unplug the throttle body control harness. Simply pinch and unplug.
Now remove the 4 torx bolts holding the throttle body and remove throttle body.
As you can see, my throttle body was dirty on the exterior side of the throttle blade.
The interior side of the throttle blade shows why the idle was rough and sluggish.
Using STP Throttle Body cleaner and a blue shop towel, clean the throttle blade and tube. Some people swear by seafoam so whatever works for you.
Simple put everything back together in reverse order of how you took it apart. As for the torque specs on the throttle body bolts, 5.5 ft.lbs or 65 in.lbs is all it takes. Like with all tightening to a specified torque, tighten bolts in a cross pattern. I used the same throttle body cleaner to rinse out the intake duct tube. I also used a shop towel to clean what I could reach of the inner intake.
That's it. It took a few minutes for the computer to smooth the idle out, but it was smooth as could be after a short 5 minute drive. Throttle response was smooth and responsive (as responsive as these jeeps get). Some dealerships have been know to charge up to $135.00
for this simple job that took me less than 30 minutes to do. My total cost was $4.50 for the can of TB Cleaner and roll of shop towels. Simple and cheap.
Disconnect your positive battery post. Better safe than sorry.
Front view of Throttle body prior to removal and cleaning.
Slide red retaining clip on air temp sensor and unplug.
Using a flatblade screwdriver, loosen the clamps and remove the intake duct. You can now clearly see the Throttle Body has some oil film and buildup.
Unplug the throttle body control harness. Simply pinch and unplug.
Now remove the 4 torx bolts holding the throttle body and remove throttle body.
As you can see, my throttle body was dirty on the exterior side of the throttle blade.
The interior side of the throttle blade shows why the idle was rough and sluggish.
Using STP Throttle Body cleaner and a blue shop towel, clean the throttle blade and tube. Some people swear by seafoam so whatever works for you.
Simple put everything back together in reverse order of how you took it apart. As for the torque specs on the throttle body bolts, 5.5 ft.lbs or 65 in.lbs is all it takes. Like with all tightening to a specified torque, tighten bolts in a cross pattern. I used the same throttle body cleaner to rinse out the intake duct tube. I also used a shop towel to clean what I could reach of the inner intake.
That's it. It took a few minutes for the computer to smooth the idle out, but it was smooth as could be after a short 5 minute drive. Throttle response was smooth and responsive (as responsive as these jeeps get). Some dealerships have been know to charge up to $135.00
for this simple job that took me less than 30 minutes to do. My total cost was $4.50 for the can of TB Cleaner and roll of shop towels. Simple and cheap.
thanks i was wondering........oye.........
11-16-2009 | 06:07 PM
#6
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ward, AR
The idle smoothed out after about 5 minutes, probably because the computer had to recalibrate. Now it is smooth as it can get and I wonder why this kind of thing isn't in the owners manual under routine maintenance every 12k miles.
11-16-2009 | 06:51 PM
#7
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ward, AR
I've got 51k on the OD. I was surprised by the amount of the buildup but some people have found notable buildup on lower mileage engines. Worth checking your TB if you got 30 minutes to kill...like during your next oil change.
