How to Replace a Throttle Body Due to Soot on Most Cars

A modern car is made up of many different systems. These systems work together to transport us or move materials to a destination. All vehicles have at least one thing in common: they all need some kind of fuel delivery system to supply gasoline to the engine and create power. Once the fuel enters the engine, it must be mixed in such a way that it has the correct amount of air and fuel for optimum efficiency and power.

The electronic control unit (ECU) is the brains of the operation when it comes to figuring out the need for fuel and air inside the engine. It uses a combination of inputs from multiple sources in the engine bay to determine engine load and provide the correct air/fuel ratio to deliver the required power while trying to stay within emission limits and trying to maximize efficiency. .

• Attention: Electronic control unit (ECU) may also be called electronic control module (ECM), powertrain control module (PCM), computer, brain, or any other term in the industry.

The ECM sends a signal to the throttle body to control the amount of air entering the engine and another signal to the fuel injectors to control the amount of fuel. The fuel injector is what actually sprays the desired amount of fuel into the engine.

The throttle body controls how much air is supplied to the engine by the throttle. Throttle position determines the amount of air passing through the throttle body and air into the intake manifold. When the throttle valve is closed, the disc completely blocks the passage. When the valve is fully open, the disc rotates allowing more air to pass through.

When the throttle body becomes clogged with soot, the air flow through the throttle body is blocked. This buildup can also prevent the throttle from working properly, as it prevents the valve from opening or closing properly, reducing the vehicle's drivability and even potentially damaging the throttle body.

Part 1 of 1: Throttle Body Replacement

Necessary materials

• Scraper gasket
• Assortment of pliers
• Screwdriver assortment
• Socket set
• Set of wrenches

Step 1: Locate the throttle body. With the car hood open, locate the throttle body. Typically, the air box contains an air cleaner and an air duct that connects it to the throttle body. The throttle body is installed between the airbox and the intake manifold.

Step 2: Remove any air ducts or lines connected to the throttle body.. Use a screwdriver to remove any air ducts or lines connected to the throttle body. Some hoses or tubes are held in place with fasteners, while others may be held in place with clamps or screwed into the housing.

Step 3: Disconnect the electrical connections. Disconnect all electrical connections from the throttle body. The most common connections are for the throttle position sensor and the idle control valve.

• Attention: The number and type of connections depend on the manufacturer.

Step 4: Remove the throttle cable. Typically, this is done by holding the throttle fully open, pulling the exposed cable far enough to have a little slack, and passing the cable through the open slot in the throttle link (as in the illustration above).

Step 5: Remove the throttle body mounting hardware.. Remove the hardware that secures the throttle body to the intake manifold. These can be bolts, nuts, clamps or screws of various types.

Step 6: Separate the throttle body from the intake manifold.. With all the throttle body fasteners removed, carefully pry the throttle body away from the intake manifold.

You may need to gently pry the throttle body away from its seat. When prying any of these parts, be careful not to damage the parts or their mating surfaces.

Step 7: Remove Remaining Gasket. Before installing a new throttle body gasket, check the throttle body flange on the intake manifold for residue or stuck gasket material.

Using a gasket scraper, carefully remove any remaining gasket material, being careful not to scratch or gouge the mating surface.

Step 8: Install a new throttle body gasket.. Place a new throttle body gasket on the intake manifold. Pay special attention to ensure that all holes in the gasket line up with the intake manifold.

Step 9: Inspect the replacement throttle body.. Visually inspect the new throttle body and compare it to the old throttle body. Make sure the new throttle body has the same number and pattern of mounting holes, the same intake pipe diameter, the same accessory holes, and the same attachment points for any accessories and brackets.

Step 10: Transfer all required replacement parts. Transfer all parts from the throttle body that were removed to the new throttle body. Parts such as the throttle position sensor or idle air control valve (if equipped) may be replaced at this point.

Step 11: Install replacement throttle body.. Place the replacement throttle body on the intake manifold. Reinstall the hardware that holds the throttle body in place. Reinstall the throttle cable. Reinstall all hoses and other items removed during disassembly.

Step 12: Connect All Electrical Connectors. Connect all electrical connectors to the appropriate components. Reconnect the throttle position sensor, reconnect the idle control valve (if equipped) and any other electrical connections that were removed during the removal process.

Step 13: Complete the installation of all other support items.. To complete the installation, reconnect all hoses, clamps, tubes and air ducts removed during disassembly. Also, make sure you connect the intake manifold duct back to the airbox.

Step 14: Look around your workspace. Before starting the engine to check the operation of the throttle body, inspect the area around the throttle body and make sure you haven't missed anything. Take a few minutes to make sure all hoses are reconnected, all sensors are reconnected, and all clamps and other hardware are properly secured.

Step 15: Start the engine to check the installation. When you are sure everything is installed correctly, turn on the ignition and start the engine. Listen for any sounds that sound unusual. Make sure the throttle responds to pedal input and that RPM increases proportionally. Also look under the hood with the engine running to make sure there are no leaks or malfunctions.

Step 16: Road Test. Once installation is complete, do a road test on your vehicle to make sure everything is working properly. Watch the sensors for anything out of the ordinary.

The throttle body is one of those elements of a modern car that has a big impact on the proper functioning of the car. When the throttle body becomes clogged with carbon, the vehicle can suffer from problems ranging from lack of fuel, loss of efficiency, or even being completely inoperable.

If at any point in the process you feel you need help replacing the throttle body or idle control valve, contact a professional technician such as the one from AvtoTachki. AvtoTachki employs trained and certified specialists who come to your home or work and perform repairs for you.