How To Easily Clean Your 4Runners Throttle Body - Improved Idle and Performance!!!

[@joeythedime1838]

Nice video, thank you. I would also mention that when you clean the throttle body take the time to also clean the mass air flow sensor. It's only a 5 minute job.

[@T4Rgarage]

Good call! I’ll pin your comment, hope that’s okay

[@T4Rgarage]

Mass Air Flow sensor clean video here 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGXVhGWfes6biLssi=vZxkHNDpA5yoMlo7

[@jollytime0811]

Thank you for putting together this video! Couple things I will add that I learned after performing this: 1) I removed the cover for the air filter box and found it extremely easy to remove and re-attach the air intake hose. 2) on initial startup, engine ran higher RPM only for about 30 seconds and the engine shut off. I'm guessing it was a protection mechanism by the ECU because it recognized some work was done (correct me if I'm wrong). However, on the second startup, everyone went do normal idle. 3) On test drive, ECU threw a front camera sensor error, but resolved after 5 min. My guess is that the ECU was re-learning it's known values as he discusses in the video. Don't be alarmed if there is strange activity in your sensors initially. I didn't have a whole lot of carbon build-up after 83,000 miles. However, I did notice a SIGNIFICANT improvement in sound and smoothness of idle and acceleration. A great preventative maintenance action to perform. Listen to him when he says to NOT spray throttle body or any other cleaner into the throttle body valve and be VERY gentle when pressing on the butterfly valve. Thanks again!

[@joemarshall5673]

same! except mine died after about 2 seconds on the first startup. i thought i had incorrectly put something back together so i went to check, everything seemed fine then i started it a second time and it stayed running although the rpm’s were higher for like 15 seconds, then it came back down to a beautiful quiet pur. gave me a mini heart attack when it died the first time lol.

[@jollytime0811]

@@joemarshall5673I've come to accept that whenever you do your own vehicle maintenance, you'll have many mini heart attacks throughout life...lol

[@kevindomingues9691]

@@joemarshall5673 Same thing happened to me just now. I was so careful doing something so easy and was like what did I do wrong!? Second start up and it was fine. lol

[@Mike-jg8bg]

Thanks again T4R Garage for an easy DIY tutorial on Throttle Body Cleaning! I noticed a little boost after I stepped on the gas!! *Pro-tip => add a very light coating of silicone grease to the inside of the air tubing. Makes it easier to re-install, and adds an air-tight seal!

[@LiquidXiron]

Will do this on mine. Thanks for sharing.

[@tubby687]

Can you make a power steering fluid flush video?

[@michael_linden]

People in BC are so nice ;-D Thanks for the tips.

[@judithvilla6026]

Really enjoy how approachable you make these maintenance tasks for the average Joe or Jane!

[@wolfeadventures]

Yes!!! Thank you. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@almadeunrebel]

nah, take the throttle body off, then attack from the other side. I also changed the TB gasket…No improvement happened to my ‘07 4R, maybe it shifts 200 rpm quicker in the first 3 gears, but I can’t confirm that the TB treatment did that

[@JohnWon-l4n]

You're a dope dude, thabks for this!

[@joeblough4605]

Thanks, I'm going to do this too.

[@jono7248]

Can't believe dealerships charge so much for this job. Thanks for this!

[@onenikkione]

Time is money. An employee has to schedule an appointment, when you pull into service area a customer service tech has to input information into the computer system (mileage, review any recommended maintenance while your car is in the shop), mechanic/tech has to drive the car from service entrance into bay, perform work, enter repair data into computer system, drive car out of bay and park, customer service tech calls you to inform you that your car is ready, billing clerk processes your payment. 4 employees involved with just a throttle body cleaning.

[@rickcastillo78]

Wow, not sure if cars have changed that much, but whenever I clean a throttle body, i remove it completely and clean it thoroughly. Then re install using new gaskets

[@k31rifleman]

Just did this tonight!!! Thanks again!!

[@joemarshall5673]

did you car die the first time you started it after the cleaning? mine did, but was fine on the second startup

[@kentoskentos8428]

Super content.

[@perrylamb6286]

Way useful and very clear! Thanks!

[@jollytime0811]

I've heard from other forums to not press on the butterfly valve with your fingers for electronic throttle bodies. There is another method of opening the valve by pressing on the gas pedal, but I noticed with my Yaris, that the plate does not fully open making it more difficult to clean. I made the mistake of spraying the cleaner into the body on my Yaris, so definitely listen to him when he says to spray on the rag and then clean. I will attempt this on my 4Runner by gently pressing on the valve with that battery disconnected.

[@T4Rgarage]

Yes the trick is to be gentle and go slowly. I’ve heard this from the Toyota techs

[@JerryNordstrom]

yes, this was my question as well. In every video and from a Toyota tech they told me never ever ever push the butterfly valve open, gently or not was their advice... This would mean you have to take the entire assembly off, clean it and then reinstall. Not too much additional effort, but not sure now which is the correct approach. Toyota wants $225 USD to clean this for us!

[@jollytime0811]

@@JerryNordstrom I've done it both ways now on two different vehicles. From my experience, taking the throttle body off is initially a few extra steps, but allows you a little easier access to clean the throttle body. This was useful for my Yaris, where the throttle body is very small. However, on the 4Runner, its so big, cleaning with throttle body attached, was no issue. I did end up gently pressing the valve. Just be careful and go slow, it should be fine. I would disconnect the battery, and don't spray cleaner down the throttle body. The area that really matters, is where the valve meets the throttle body. Any carbon buildup behind the valve, is not so important, but if you clean it, it wouldn't hurt.

[@peterf4719]

Why not spray cleaner inside? It will burn up and come out as white smoke. Used to clean my 2001 lexus es300 throttle body with car turned on and revinng gas pedal while my dad was spraying.

[@76SuperGlide]

Do you think removing the throttle body from the intake manifold for cleaning is too much?

[@PocketsandOutlaw]

It isn't necessary. If you do it, be sure to replace the gasket and torque the bolts properly.

[@goldenbrown1874]

Mine is a 4Runner 2004, it has engine light on, after reading the code, the scanner says it’s throttle body, I lost power a couple times while driving and had to pull over and shut the engine and turn it back on and it was working normal, but engine light still on, do I need to clean it or replace it ? Does anybody know ? Please help ! Thank you

[@MrBill99]

U should expand to Tacomas.

[@Brandon_osborn]

Was this the first time you did this on this car? I have 85k on mine and have never done this 😅

[@T4Rgarage]

First time, yes. You shouldn’t have too much build up at 85k miles but you’ll like have some

[@Brandon_osborn]

@@T4Rgarage thanks! Dealer suggested it for my 90k coming up but said I was supposed to at 30 and 60 also. Oops. I have been noticing a lower idle so I want sure if that was related… great content btw. Followed here and instagram!

[@joemarshall5673]

what happened after the first time that you started it up ? mine died after about 2 seconds but was fine after the second time. just thought that was strange

[@T4Rgarage]

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, it can run rough for a moment and possibly even shut off. It will idle high for a brief while after the cleaning then settle to a smooth improved idle

[@Treetopflyer777]

I find mine does that pretty much all the time on the first start after I disconnected the battery.

[@fognua]

why not use seafoam spray

[@richardpierce554]

seafoam does not contain PEA and can damage the catalytic converter or worse

[@Jon-halos]

You just saved me $240

[@fjbT2024]

I was told that the proper way to clean the throttle body on my 13 4runner was to remove the throttle body and clean beyond it. Is that necessary?

[@trendari9977]

The car care nut has a general video on cleaning the throttle body and says don't bother removing it as you would then need to change the gasket. Just do what he does in this video and should work great.