The 15 Dollar fix for poor acceleration and rough idle

In todays video I will show you how I fix a rough idle situation with a 2006 Honda Accord 2.4l. For the low price of some cleaners and a gasket I restore lost performance to a sluggish 4 cylinder. this isn't just for underpowered Honda's, use these steps on any fuel injected vehicle you come across for a guaranteed improvement in idle and acceleration. Throttle body and Mass air flow sensor cleaning is crucial to a proper running car.

[@fabrivila2774]

Thanks for the video. According to everything you did except using a metal brush, better using a toothbrush, it will not damage the throttle body.

[@OzarksTruckin]

Looked to be a very good throttle body cleaning. Liked that info on K&N filters too👍

[@the_baderbuilt]

Thank you.

[@hmroa3056]

I appreciate the tip about (1) not manually opening the throttle body blade, and (2) about expecting coolant from the hoses connected to the throttle body. Thank you.

[@the_baderbuilt]

I've learned the hard way in the past. Glad it helped.

[@jimcollins9999]

​@@the_baderbuilt... what if you did touch the blade & opened it while cleaning the throttle body as I did, what has to be done afterward to correct that mistake?

[@motorwolfe]

@@jimcollins9999 you will need to hook up an OBD diagnostic tool and perform a throttle body relearn procedure. I cleaned the throttle body on the exact same Honda K24Z2 engine featured in this video, 2010 Accord. the idle would hang momentarily when letting off the gas - doing the relearn cured that.

[@HVAC69]

Great video thanks a lot for sharing your great working knowledge ...

[@the_baderbuilt]

Thank you

[@erniediaz2433]

Great job love what you do

[@the_baderbuilt]

Awesome to hear! THANK YOU

[@tomkoolman]

For this Honda engine, I would put the key at ON and put a brick on the gas padel, the throttle body should opened up. Then I soaked microfiber cloth and carefully wipe off the carbon on both flap and tunnel.

[@the_baderbuilt]

Good tip. I had a my fiance push it the pedal down for me. But working solo like I usually do that would work well. Thanks for the comment.

[@kayjay4060]

This is exactly how you should do it. Careful that whatever you use to open the throttle body butterfly valve doesn't allow it to snap shut. That could be a very bad day if you have your finger in there. That motor will try to close it with whatever power that motor has. Do not spray the cleaner on these motor drive throttle bodies. The cleaner can get into the openings at the valve, and cause electronics to fail. Just need to clean where the butterfly valve meets. The valve is nearly closed during idle, and that is when it matters. That carbon blocks the air flow. Once you push on the accelerator pedal the valve opens and it doesn't matter one bit. Only during idle is this an issue. So the only part that needs to be cleaned is that little gap when the valve is shut.

[@jasond4752]

I'm just amazed at how clean that bay is and that there's not a speck of rust on anything.

[@the_baderbuilt]

I try to keep my engines clean. As for the rust I live in AZ so we don't have crazy winters or salt to deal with. I make a habit of cleaning mud off my cars immediately. I appreciate the comment.

[@jasond4752]

@@the_baderbuilt I'm from AZ but now live in PA. I had no idea cars rusted like they do until I moved here. Now when I see a car from the west I'm amazed, lol.

[@KP-16v]

Great video, maybe avoid the wire brush on the throttle plate to avoid removing the factory coating.

[@the_baderbuilt]

I used a brass and plastic bristle brush. It should be fine. It's only air that flows through the throttle body, I have had ported ones in the past with no issue. Thank you for the comment.

[@TC-hb2gn]

There is an actual Honda specified idle relearn procedure. You can look it up. Airflow parameters are being changed so I beg to differ that it isn’t necessary. It doesn’t take a lot of time. Being thorough will never hurt.

[@the_baderbuilt]

I actually agree with you. The accord I did this on did not need to have a relearn preformed. It idles smoothly and performs flawlessly afterward. My silverado did need a relearn done because I bumped the throttle blade. I'll address this in the next video. Thanks for the comment.

[@zogzog6611]

Terrific video! Very methodical, filled with practical tips. I especially appreciate how you didn't skip over the fussy/tricky parts that frustrate us would-be DIYers. Showing them speeded up was a terrific idea. Two questions: (1) If you did touch the throttle blade and open it with your fingers, wouldn't the car's computer automatically adjust it once you restarted the car? Or is there an explicit reprogramming process? (2) How effective would it be just to clean the throttle body without removing it--that is, just clean the outside?

[@the_baderbuilt]

Thank you for the comment. If I had moved the throttle blade, it would need to be reprogrammed. There are two ways to complete that process. One is to use a scanner with that functionality. The other is a manual process by revving the engine to a certain RPM for a pre-determined amount of time. As for cleaning, you could make a difference by cleaning it on the plenum. It will not be as thorough or as clean. The other reason I removed the throttle body is so I didn't flush the dirt and carbon down into the intake.

[@zogzog6611]

@@the_baderbuilt Ah, I see. Thank you for explaining both! Although I should have figured out the second one. Plus I got to learn a new word: plenum. Many thanks!

[@jeffwest5551]

Brutal. Not supposed to use carb cleaner on throttle body. It's why they make throttle body cleaner. Nor would I ever use a wire brush. Use a shop rag.

[@the_baderbuilt]

It's throttle body cleaner.......... also the wire brush is brass and plastic. Softer material than the aluminum. Brutal comment

[@jasonsharpbucks]

​@@the_baderbuiltaluminum is softer than brass

[@jonathanmata565]

Dealer charges $ 350 and I did it myself 😆 🤣 😂 😊

[@BenjaminHansen]

Regarding your HF snapoff torque wrench, it appeared to be the type that can be calibrated, if you were concerned or questioned its validity.

[@the_baderbuilt]

I wasn't sure if they could. Thanks for the info.

[@BenjaminHansen]

@@the_baderbuilt I have yet to do mine (I had it "verified" at my old metrology lab), but it is doable if it has the large nut on the end of the handle.

[@maolo76]

great video. you didn't clean the iac valve. i didn't see you burp the coolant since you open up the coolant line. i saw another video he fill any coolant loss and then burp the coolant system of air after removing the throttle body.

[@metzmatu8409]

This type of throttle body doesn't have IACV. At 21:39 he mention the butterfly opening at idle, see through at slight opening of the butterfly valve. That why self relearn of the throttle valve and make adjustment for correct idling speed due to gunk/dirt, no IACV required. To keep the butterfly valve openning as per factory setting, I clean the butterfly valve & internal throttle body every 30k miles on my Honda.

[@joseluisrincon2993]

Evening!!! Where is the maf sensor on a 2006 honda accord. Cant see it where it is on this car on the video.

[@the_baderbuilt]

The maf sensor is the little one I pulled out and cleaned. It's attached to the front of the air box near the intake tube.

[@ThomasHall-zb7xl]

Only use throttle body cleaner on the throttle body. There is a protective film. Never use carburetor cleaner on a throttle body. He had the throttle cleaner

[@the_baderbuilt]

That is correct. Thank you.

[@the_baderbuilt]

That is correct. Thank you.

[@armandozara2780]

What happen if you didn't take out the plugs of battery the time that you cleaned

[@the_baderbuilt]

All sensors are electrical. I don't want to risk a short or sending feedback through the circuit. Theoretically, with the key off no power should be supplied, but if nothing else it's good practice.

[@permanadanwaktu7778]

I heard sounds like power steering air leaks

[@MrMarcel114]

After a. Throttle body cleaner all Honda Vehicle Needs relearn , no matter what you do if you move or touch with a finger you going to a relearn.

[@the_baderbuilt]

If you manually open the throttle blade then yes. I had my fiance floor the car to open the blade. The car runs smoother than it has since owning it.

[@zepp3lin]

Just drive normally, and the ECU will learn by itself.

[@metzmatu8409]

I clean the butterfly valve at every 30k miles, with minimal gunk, no issue with idling speed.

[@muhammadchiroma9675]

​@@the_baderbuiltMy throttle was manually opened by an inexperienced mechanic and since then the idle have been very rough. How do I resettle it? Honda Accord 2007 model

[@didurightaguilar5974]

So if you manually push the throttle blades u have to relearn ? If u did it a safer way being having a friend push gas pedal then you shouldn’t need to re learn ?

[@saginaw60]

We keep hearing "Phillips" screwdriver. Try "JIS" Japan Industry Standard, made not to cam out, not to strip. Tool stores sell 'em, not hardware stores.

[@the_baderbuilt]

I've been hearing JIS lately. I'll check out a set. Thanks for the comment.

[@metzmatu8409]

Yes, I use the JIS type screw driver and work fine for that throttle body & MAF screws.

[@theroyalcrownedtiger2946]

Looks like 2006 Accord engine bay, with the 2.4L motor.

[@the_baderbuilt]

That's exactly what it is.

[@loafwicks2ks_478]

Hotter than a stolen hellcat 😂😂

[@shane6284]

I don’t think you used enough of that cleaner.. Maybe another can would have helped?

[@the_baderbuilt]

Picked up a case just for your viewing pleasure.

[@shane6284]

Oh good! That should last you a couple days..

[@krod2162]

I don't think you did the keep it simple process here. A lot of times you can clean the throttle body while it's on the car At least that way , you won't have to mess with that stuck on gasket

[@the_baderbuilt]

Sure, it can be done in different ways. I didn't want to wash all the carbon and dirt into the plenum. I have done both and I prefer this process.