Throttle Body Cleaning
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 228
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From: on the creekbank in NC
Throttle Body
Looking at cleaning the MAF and throttle body in effort to remove the dreaded Ford pinging. I got the MAF under control; tamper resistant torx bit and Gumout. However; I have a large sticker on my throttle body that says "DO NOT CLEAN. Special coating inside." After looking in my Hayne's, I was suprised to see the same note. "Do not clean. Special coating inside. At the tiem of this publication no aftermarket supplement is available." What the hell is that stuff? And has anyonw out there ever cleaned it off?
I have three kids now....
Kobe
Meghan
and the 3.0 forum.
I am such a proud daddy.
thanks again FTE
I have three kids now....
Kobe
Meghan
and the 3.0 forum.
I am such a proud daddy.
thanks again FTE
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Throttle Body
I've cleaned the throttle bodies on both my 3.0L and 4.0L, and both had the same warning on them. What I was careful not to do was scrub any of part of of the TB with a brush or rag. I simply sprayed Air Intake/Throttle Body cleaner in there (open and closed throttle position) while blowing it out with compressed air. I repeated this process several times. Worked good for me.
P.S. Just curious, does one of your MAF torx head bolts have a black plastic seal in the torx head?
P.S. Just curious, does one of your MAF torx head bolts have a black plastic seal in the torx head?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
Throttle Body
Use any TB cleaner you like. JUST DON'T USE A CARB CLEANER.
When Ford techs clean the TB they usually just pat it with a cloth. They don't rub it. I normally just hose it down with TB cleaner and have never had a problem. I believe the special coating keeps carbon from sticking to the TB. I had an Escort with a TB that grew black carbon on it all the time and I think someone at one time used CARB cleaner on it instead of TB cleaner.
When Ford techs clean the TB they usually just pat it with a cloth. They don't rub it. I normally just hose it down with TB cleaner and have never had a problem. I believe the special coating keeps carbon from sticking to the TB. I had an Escort with a TB that grew black carbon on it all the time and I think someone at one time used CARB cleaner on it instead of TB cleaner.
Originally posted by saintthomas
Looking at cleaning the MAF and throttle body in effort to remove the dreaded Ford pinging. I got the MAF under control; tamper resistant torx bit and Gumout. However; I have a large sticker on my throttle body that says "DO NOT CLEAN. Special coating inside." After looking in my Hayne's, I was suprised to see the same note. "Do not clean. Special coating inside. At the tiem of this publication no aftermarket supplement is available." What the hell is that stuff? And has anyonw out there ever cleaned it off?
I have three kids now....
Kobe
Meghan
and the 3.0 forum.
I am such a proud daddy.
thanks again FTE
Looking at cleaning the MAF and throttle body in effort to remove the dreaded Ford pinging. I got the MAF under control; tamper resistant torx bit and Gumout. However; I have a large sticker on my throttle body that says "DO NOT CLEAN. Special coating inside." After looking in my Hayne's, I was suprised to see the same note. "Do not clean. Special coating inside. At the tiem of this publication no aftermarket supplement is available." What the hell is that stuff? And has anyonw out there ever cleaned it off?
I have three kids now....
Kobe
Meghan
and the 3.0 forum.
I am such a proud daddy.
thanks again FTE
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: on the creekbank in NC
Throttle Body
Thanks for the input on the throttle body. I don't feel worried about cleaning now. Rock, my MAF is just the tamper resistant torx. No plastic or anything. Bkarr, the last time I was at Advance I saw a torx set. Can't say I have seen them individually though. If someone can't find them, I MAY have an extra one at the shop I could loan out. Stess on may.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 384
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From: Acworth, GA
Throttle Body
Kind of, the throttle body seemed to be one piece with the intake manifold. I accidentally used some carb cleaner on the butterflies a few weeks ago (had some serious buildup to get rid of) but now I am worrying that I screwed things up. I don't see one of those labels though.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Throttle Body
Originally posted by agelder
....I accidentally used some carb cleaner on the butterflies a few weeks ago (had some serious buildup to get rid of) but now I am worrying that I screwed things up. I don't see one of those labels though...
....I accidentally used some carb cleaner on the butterflies a few weeks ago (had some serious buildup to get rid of) but now I am worrying that I screwed things up. I don't see one of those labels though...
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: on the creekbank in NC
Throttle Body
Hello fellow 3.0 drivers. Just thought I would share a couple of things with you. Icleaned the MAF yesterday. Made a great improvement on the pinging. I also checked into the "Do Not Clean" thing. According to the Gumout website, throttle body cleaner is designed to do the same job as carb cleaner wihout damaging the lining of the EFI systems. So it is perfectly safe to clean the throttle body with the proper cleaner. I also checked with one of the service mechanics at work. He said that the label is just a liability issue if someone were to clean the coating off. He also said that the lining was to prevent the corrosion that can be seen on the outside of the motor. I plan on cleaning mine next week. Take care all.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Throttle Body
Originally posted by saintthomas
Hello fellow 3.0 drivers. Just thought I would share a couple of things with you. I cleaned the MAF yesterday. Made a great improvement on the pinging. I also checked into the "Do Not Clean" thing. According to the Gumout website, throttle body cleaner is designed to do the same job as carb cleaner wihout damaging the lining of the EFI systems......I plan on cleaning mine next week.
Hello fellow 3.0 drivers. Just thought I would share a couple of things with you. I cleaned the MAF yesterday. Made a great improvement on the pinging. I also checked into the "Do Not Clean" thing. According to the Gumout website, throttle body cleaner is designed to do the same job as carb cleaner wihout damaging the lining of the EFI systems......I plan on cleaning mine next week.
When you clean the throttle body you naturally loosen up a lot of crud and carbon, some of which can make it's way back into the engine, which in turn winds up in your engine oil and filter. So, you might want to change your oil and filter not too long after you do the cleaning.
Thanks for the feedback and the info on the throttle body warning.
Last edited by Rockledge; May 18, 2003 at 04:52 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Throttle Body
Originally posted by saintthomas
No problem Rock. I hope I can help anyone out there. Besides between me and you we have to get the thread count up there. LOL
No problem Rock. I hope I can help anyone out there. Besides between me and you we have to get the thread count up there. LOL
P.S. Speaking of counts, congratulations on your new posting status.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: on the creekbank in NC
Throttle Body
Hey thanks Rock! I hadn't even noticed until I saw your post. Your going to have to teach me how to post pics like you. Then life will be good. LOL
Take care.
Take care.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 294
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From: Central Coast, California
Throttle Body
Don't you guys think that if you used a good gasoline like chevron with techron it would keep everything clean. I've been using chevron in my 3.0 and and runs like new and has excellant throttle response.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: on the creekbank in NC
Throttle Body
Hi John,
The MAF and throttle body shouldn't be affected by the case you use. They are both on the air intake. Fuel never touches the two. The MAF collects dirt ( or oil if you have a K$N type ) that passes through the air filter. It also develops a petina like all exposed electrical connections will. And anyting that burns creates carbon deposists. The carbon does not come from the fuel but the air that mixes with it. Remember that air is oxygen, nitrogen, adn carbon dioxide. As for the different fuels, sure they have benefits. Remember too, it's all petroleum. Even the cleaners are just distilled petro.
The MAF and throttle body shouldn't be affected by the case you use. They are both on the air intake. Fuel never touches the two. The MAF collects dirt ( or oil if you have a K$N type ) that passes through the air filter. It also develops a petina like all exposed electrical connections will. And anyting that burns creates carbon deposists. The carbon does not come from the fuel but the air that mixes with it. Remember that air is oxygen, nitrogen, adn carbon dioxide. As for the different fuels, sure they have benefits. Remember too, it's all petroleum. Even the cleaners are just distilled petro.