I just cleaned the throttlebody by spraying a whole lot of carb cleaner into it since it's impossible to reach with your hands or any tools. I start the car and it vibrates roughly for a minute and then returns to normal. Now the car starts much quicker with I crank the key. But it seems to idle louder than before I washed it. Is this how I'm supposed to clean the TB? Will the dirty stuff damage the engine or cat? I only got 20k miles on my 99 and the cleaning seems to already make a big difference.

Originally posted by 99SE-L
I just cleaned the throttlebody by spraying a whole lot of carb cleaner into it since it's impossible to reach with your hands or any tools. I start the car and it vibrates roughly for a minute and then returns to normal. Now the car starts much quicker with I crank the key. But it seems to idle louder than before I washed it. Is this how I'm supposed to clean the TB? Will the dirty stuff damage the engine or cat? I only got 20k miles on my 99 and the cleaning seems to already make a big difference.


Simply spraying the cleaner into it is not going to do much. You need to get an old toothbrush and scrub inside to get the job done.

BTW, a rough idle is normal afterwards and your car may blow some white smoke.

i actually did use a toothbrush but it doesnt reach very far.

Did you take the hose off and spray the TB while holding the Plate open. I actually took mine off and cleaned it on the bench. I didn't notice much difference if at all.

yeah i had a stick pressing down on the gas pedal to open up the throttle and i sprayed the carb cleaner inside

You know you can just pull that little cable to open the TB, right? You don't have to press the pedal down....hmm. Try it, its the cable that goes to the TB about your intake manifold and it has a small metal piece that lifts up...pull this away from your TB and it will make your engine REV up when its on.

Ju§tin