Cleaning IAC and Throttle body write up (for dummies)

fishinjeeper · 10-13-2010, 03:32 PM

Here was my problem. My jeep would occasionally cut out while driving. At times it would not start for about ten minutes. So looking things up I figured I would replace my IAC, TPS, and MAP sensors. Turns out my IAC just needed to be cleaned. so there it goes.

This is your Throttle body. First you will need to disconnect your Air Intake Hose which is held together by a hose clamp (straight head screw driver).

[Edit by Jerry Bransford: It is not required to remove the throttle body in order to remove and clean the IAC (Idle Air Controller).]

Then there are four bolts, which are 10 MM, you will need to remove those.

After you remove those four bolts, disconnect your TPS, MAP, IAC, and throttle cables.

After you disconnect those, your throttle body will come off. Take your throttle body cleaner and clean as much of the gunk off as possible. Use a cloth rag and tooth brush. sorry, could not get a in action picture. I also used zip ties to hold open the throttle body.

Then take off your IAC Sensor, not housing. Clean it with your throttle body cleaner, this is what it will look like after. Before and after pictures

Then take off the IAC housing and both sides (house and throttle body). clean that too. before and after...

After that, take off your MAP, the only thing to clean is the beather hose.

with new gaskets, or silicon, reverse the above and put back together

**SpaceWrangler** · 10-13-2010, 03:57 PM

Bookmarked for future reference. Well done, sir.

fishinjeeper · 10-13-2010, 04:09 PM

thanks

fishinjeeper · 10-13-2010, 04:22 PM

o, and this only took about an hour and a half to do for someone that didnt know what they were doing

**del_TJ** · 10-13-2010, 04:23 PM

nice write-up!

Ryman12 · 10-13-2010, 07:41 PM

Very good job. When first starting out I think the hardest things to do were the simple jobs, just because everyone assumed that you knew how to do them already!

fishinjeeper · 10-13-2010, 09:37 PM

exactly

billabong266 · 10-15-2010, 11:42 AM

This write up is great. How often should i clean my throttle body and IAC? I have 33,000 miles on my jeep now and it has never been done. Do you think it would be dirty enough to clean at 33,000 or should i wait longer?

**keithert** · 10-15-2010, 12:38 PM

I sometimes get a stumble at idle. Does cleaning this sound like it would help? How did yours run differently after you were done?

**Hendrix** · 10-15-2010, 08:32 PM

I have been putting this off for weeks. Who knew it was just that easy.

Voltekker · 10-17-2010, 04:33 PM

I need to do this

**keithert** · 10-19-2010, 07:30 AM

I wiped down the mouth of the throttle opening. There was a light greasy buildup there. I then used Seafoam's intake cleaner that you spray into the intake while the engine is running for 3 minutes. My gas mileage does seem to be up by 1 or 2 mpg. I religiously track my gas mileage so I would know if it was getting better. My question is why does having a little buildup of gunk in the intake affect the gas mileage?

SilverBullit22 · 10-19-2010, 07:35 AM

Great write-up! I was having some idle issues earlier this spring and after cleaning out the throttle body and sensor I was good to go. I remember the throttle body being a huge PITA to keep open during cleaning, so I'll for sure have to use the zip tie method next time! Thanks again for the write-up!

**jforse** · 10-19-2010, 09:41 AM

Great post!

**scottbr** · 10-19-2010, 09:51 AM

Good post. I'd add to be careful with the IAC housing gasket unless you are making one or have a spare (they are a pain to fabricate from gasket stock). It cracks easily.

Also to have a VERY clean surface on which to work.

Lastly, USE EYE PROTECTION. Throttle body cleaner is some nasty crap to get in your eyes.