I took my car to the dealership a week ago because the key was stuck in the ignition. Long story short they wanted $550 to replace the shifter assembly becuase thats what was broken and since I have 53,000 miles on it they said no go on the warranty. I got them down to $200 and they absorbed the rest. So now I need rear brakes some senor needs to be replaced and the throttle body needs to be cleaned. If I remember correctly cleaning the throttle body should be something easy right? Any help would be great

 

As a former tech throttle body service (cleaning) was always a good money maker.it only takes a few min. remove the air tube from throttle body use a scotch-brite cleaning pad and brake cleaner and clean the area where the throttle butterfly and the body meet. you will see where black coke (sluge) has bilt up around the butterfly restricting air flow at idle. some car maker say not to clean them at all. More than likely there will be no change in the car performance one way or the other. Most newer powertrain control system plan for this build up a adjust for it automaticly.

 

I wouldn't use the brake cleaner. TBI cleaner or carb cleaner should be used.

 

I'd skip the scotch brite too. Back in the day an old soft tooth brush (used gently) with the dousing of carb cleaner did the trick for me. The build up hinders the movement of the blade hence the up/down idle that happens when the tps is trying to maintain idle when coming off higher rpm's.

 

I think Lucky may have hit the nail on the head when he said "throttle body service (cleaning) was always a good money maker" If you are at all handy, pull the air tube from the TB and look to see if it REALLY needs it. If it really gummed up, you can try yourself using the methods described, but a light buildup is normal and expected and not necessary to clean.
Not saying your dealer is a crook, cleaning can't hurt, but is it really necessary, or just one of those "standard" service functions that they like to preform?

Good luck.

 

You mean like changing the power steering fluid on your electric steering unit?

 

Ya, something like that

 

wait you dont change it!?!

 

On the older throttle body cars/trucks you better clean them, If you have idle hunting or stalling when coming to a stop cleaning will fix it. On Early 3.1L that was a big deal keeping the plates clean. I have seen cars that would not idle and so so tech but in injectors,ECMs, turn up the min.air rate screw thinking it was a idle adjuster. When all it needed was throttle plate service. My 06 HHR was given me a little hunting when getting off the Hy-way at a stop, looked at the plates, cleaned good as new. yes a soft tooth brush and TBI cleaner. Brake clean is not good for O2 & cats.

 

Isn't that one of the things Seafoam is supposed to help with? I put a can in a full tank of gas at every oil change.