Decided to clean the throttle body on my 2008 LX570 with 178,000 miles and no history of being done before. Made for improved idle and throttle response when taking off from a stoplight. Easy DIY maintenance we often forget about and takes less than 30 mins.
Parts you’ll need:
- 1 can of throttle body cleaner ( < $10 from any autoparts store)
- 10mm deep well socket & ratchet
- Phillips screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Shop towel
Step by step:
IMPORTANT - Do this on a COLD engine. To do a thorough cleaning, you’ll be removing 2 hoses from the throttle body that contain coolant & will spit hot fluid if it is a warm engine.
1. Loosen clamps holding air intake assembly to air box and throttle body. (2 Red arrows)
2. Set air intake assembly on top of airbox. It will remain connected to a hose in the rear, but there is plenty of slack.
3. Remove electrical connection to throttle body (1 Blue arrow)
4. Remove 4 bolts holding throttle body to engine (4 Green arrows)
5. Use needle nose pliers to remove two coolant hoses going to underside of throttle body (2 Yellow arrows) Be careful removing the first one as a small bit of coolant may seep out. It won’t continuously run. Again, make sure to do this on a COLD engine.
6. Remove throttle body and set on shop towel on workbench.
7. Liberally spray throttle body cleaner a bit at a time, and use clean shop towels to rub off the carbon. Use elbow grease to get it clean. Do not push hard on the butterfly!
8. Once satisfied, reinstall in reverse order.
9. Don’t overtorque the bolts. Recommend using a 1/4” ratchet.
Super easy job and good maintenance.
Parts you’ll need:
- 1 can of throttle body cleaner ( < $10 from any autoparts store)
- 10mm deep well socket & ratchet
- Phillips screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Shop towel
Step by step:
IMPORTANT - Do this on a COLD engine. To do a thorough cleaning, you’ll be removing 2 hoses from the throttle body that contain coolant & will spit hot fluid if it is a warm engine.
1. Loosen clamps holding air intake assembly to air box and throttle body. (2 Red arrows)
2. Set air intake assembly on top of airbox. It will remain connected to a hose in the rear, but there is plenty of slack.
3. Remove electrical connection to throttle body (1 Blue arrow)
4. Remove 4 bolts holding throttle body to engine (4 Green arrows)
5. Use needle nose pliers to remove two coolant hoses going to underside of throttle body (2 Yellow arrows) Be careful removing the first one as a small bit of coolant may seep out. It won’t continuously run. Again, make sure to do this on a COLD engine.
6. Remove throttle body and set on shop towel on workbench.
7. Liberally spray throttle body cleaner a bit at a time, and use clean shop towels to rub off the carbon. Use elbow grease to get it clean. Do not push hard on the butterfly!
8. Once satisfied, reinstall in reverse order.
9. Don’t overtorque the bolts. Recommend using a 1/4” ratchet.
Super easy job and good maintenance.
