I have a 2005 F350 V10 with 40,000 miles. The dealer wants to clean the throttle body, is this worth it at my mileage? I have owned the truck since 19000 miles and the throttle body has not been cleaned to my knowledge. Also the service advisor stated they do not remove the throttle body they just clean it and hook up a machine to the fuel system to clean injectors and intake etc. The guy I spoke didn't seem that knowledgeable. Thanks!

 

Can't hurt.

When I had my F-150, every time I would clean/oil my K&N filter, I would take my intake off and spray some throttle body cleaner in there. The rag was definitely black by the time I was done.

 

If the dealer doesn't charge much for the cleaning and you have no interest in doing it yourself let them do it. The only good way to clean a throttle body properly is to remove it and clean it good though. The back side of the TB blade is what collects all the crap, the front can look clean but the back is gunked. I doubt the dealers fuel system cleaning will do much on the TB but its should clean out the injectors and light carbon buildup.

Here are pics of the TB I pulled off my sisters 4.0l after 150k miles. Front was clean back was not, the EGR helped to dirty it up. The dirt had to be scraped off, Berryman carb cleaner didn't do much.

Front


Back


Pile of crud scraped off.

 

Great pics, I am inspired to clean mine for this weekend! (145k on the 5.4l npi plug popper). Is there an easy way to clean the injectors / plug into the fuel rail with cleaner?

 

Pretty shure thats what the dealer does.

 

Very easy 15min job, throttle body has some gum and varnish...but not too bad like the pics you had there.

I was asking about hooking into the fuel rail for a DIY project...but I guess that's the special machine the dealers have.

I picked up some seafoam carbon cleaner, folks here seem to recommend it. Any suggestions for a vacuum application point that will provide an even distribution to the cylinders (gasser)? After looking behind the TB, it seems most vacuum points favor one side or another...

Thanks guys!

 

Amsoil Power Foam is another good product, for cleaning throttle bodies. I use it all the time with very good results.

 

Wanted to follow up on the DIY fuel injector cleaning subject here, I refused to accept it required a dealer service or the $400 machine.

After searching the net, it turns out the fuel rail maintenance port is the same valve as a standard tire (R12 refrigerant connector for GM). I purchased a side-piercing AC tool from ebay for $16, a clip type air chuck from NAPA for $5, and a can of pressurized injector cleaner from NAPA @ $8. Simply connect the tool and air chuck using 2 foot of air hose (use teflon at the threads and discard the internal valve), and it works just great!

1999 Ford F250 4x4 - DIY fuel injector cleaning

DIY Procedure:
1) pull the fuel pump fuse
2) clip the air chuck to the fuel rail
3) clamp your can of pressurized Fuel Injector cleaner with the AC tool
4) start engine and run through the contents of the can...it stalls when pressure drops and can is almost empty
5) re-cap your fuel rail port to keep it clean, and, plug back in the fuel pump fuse
6) reset the ECU / computer by disconnect battery for 30mins!!

This did help restore some lost power, and should probably be an annual maintenance routine.

Note: the diesel guys had a great post on adding liquid fuel injector cleaner to the water filter bowl...and so now we have a low cost injector cleaning option also!

 

Bump. Added homemade tool pic.

 

Thanks for the follow-up. I'll add this to my "the dealer won't get my money for this" list!

Reps sent.

 

Awesome! Rep sent. I'll need to do this sometime soon and clean the TB.

 

Thanks, half the creds goto to DKF for those inspiring TB shots!

Have you guys done O2 sensors as part of an overall tune up?

ncon
99 F250 5.4(npi)

 

I plan on replacing my O2 sensors soon. I think they should be replaced in any vehicle at about 80K-100K. Other will say don't replace them unless there is a problem and with most sensors that is probably true but to me O2 sensors need to be replaced as normal maintenance item.

 

Yep, I did mine shortly after the throttle body clean, and the plugs. Go to a cheapo parts place and get the sensor socket to make your life easier. Wear a long sleeve shirt, cuz you need to warm up the exhaust before you take them out, and it gets hot and tight in there to get the drivers side.

 

Just added one last critical item, reset your ECU! I guess we need this step after every tune up procedure!