Can You Damage A Throttle Body By Cleaning It? - Throttle Body Myth Buster Edition

Hey guys today I'm taking a look into some of those questions that crop up regarding possible damage arising from cleaning a throttle body. FACT or FICTION. Join me in finding out.

[@mrjameschong]

my esteemed!!! Greetings from Caracas! look, I started to watch your video... and you hit that poor throttle body with everything, even so, from 15.27 to 15.31 there is a very small difference, but I think it would be more than enough for the ecu to interpret it that way ( I think, keep an eye on that). For my part, when it's electronic I don't take it out, I clean it mounted on the car, I pass the key to accessories and I ask someone to step on the accelerator while I clean it with: carburetor cleaner!!! as it should be hahahahahahahaha. Where I am careful is with the maf sensor, I clean that with isopropyl alcohol which is what I always have on hand

[@Boaters_hub]

Dont use brake cleaner! Only throttle body cleaner. Also some makes and models if you unplug the throttle body you have to relearn it to the vehicle so be prepared to do so.

[@carlosr2051]

Great!

[@farerse]

Nice myth bustering , I heard or read that the throttle plate has a coating which can wear off from brake cleaner.. don't know if that's true or false. I clean them with brake cleaner on a rag anyway..

[@SocketsAndSideburns]

Thankyou. Yes there is some truth to this. s Some manufactures add a coating to the bores that is meant to prevent any deposits building in the throttle, Ford do this. However any throttle that has this coating will also carry a sticker saying " Do Not Clean" or something similar. It's a minefield finding a cleaner that won't strip these coatings. The throttle plates themselves are sometimes plated but this is usually to help corrosion resistance and more likely removed by brushing with an abrasive material rather than any cleaner. The throttle plate on this throttle body is yellow all the way through when scratched and non magnetic so made from brass.

[@juandoza5867]

@@SocketsAndSideburns hello my car, 1995 Ford escort, has the sticker that says “do not clean the throttle body” but I’m pretty sure there is build up on there that is causing it to stall at red lights or stops. I was wondering if you know if I am allowed to clean this and if so what throttle body cleaner should I use?

[@mattlawton4715]

@@SocketsAndSideburns I don't think it would damage the electrics as you can clean electronics with that stuff. Also I have thrown petrol down them loads of times all seems ok

[@sebasbest4ever97]

Hi mate, I have a question, I have a clio mk3 1.2 16v that, on my taughts, make tappets noise. My clio has 146000km, do you know when should they be registered?

[@SocketsAndSideburns]

There is no set mileage interval for checking the valve clearances. You just check the clearances if you can hear valve noise. I will be doing a video on valve clearance adjustment for these engines in the future.

[@sebasbest4ever97]

@@SocketsAndSideburns thank you for your reply, I will surely watch it, I have taken the car this morning to the mechanic, in the afternoon I'll get it back

[@derrickknighton218]

I removed mines but did not disconnect the battery does that change anything

[@SocketsAndSideburns]

Usually the battery must be disconnected to initiate the relearn procedure.

[@augustinlec]

Hi m8, I appreciate your videos. Il have a DF079 on renault espace 2.0 T. I cleaned this throttle, but still have the same error. I'm about to open it I guess. Do you have any idea/feedback ?

[@SocketsAndSideburns]

First thing I'd look for is signs of water ingress on the black casing on the throttle body. Scuttle drains get blocked and it goes on the throttle bodies.

[@gerhardtscheepers9986]

if i use q20 can it make problem???

[@SocketsAndSideburns]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that product. Some throttle bodies do have a coating that can be stripped by certain harsh cleaners. I only tested the correct cleaner and then the most commonly used alternative. The main concern is usually that the cleaner can get into the internals and that you can damage the throttle body by manually manipulating it, which as you see I couldn't.