How To Clean Throttle Body Ford F150

What Is F-150 Throttle Body Cleaning?

Throttle body cleaning is a form of fuel injection maintenance that can help improve the performance of your F-150's engine once your truck has been driven 75,000 miles. Since modern vehicles are equipped with electronic fuel injection systems, they don't normally require this kind of maintenance until you reach higher mileage marks.

Cleaning your fuel injectors is a common maintenance task and cleaning your throttle body can be a relatively easy process that can be done at the dealership while you're maintaining your vehicle. All you will need is a few simple tools and special cleaners.

Throttle body cleaning is considered proper maintenance to keep your engine running smoothly and after you do it, you are likely to see an improvement in the vehicle's handling. If your truck seems to be running rougher when its idling or stumbling during initial acceleration, it may be time to clean your throttle body.

Even if you are not having any issues yet, a thorough throttle body cleaning is advised maintenance every 75,000 miles to prevent these issues before they start.

How to Choose an F-150 Throttle Body Cleaner

When you choose a throttle body cleaner, you will want to make sure that you select one compatible with your F-150. While most throttle body cleaners are generic, there are some specific to certain vehicle makes or models that may either leave too much residue behind or not be strong enough for the F-150 throttle body.

Another consideration to make is whether you will be using your cleaner for other maintenance as well. There are plenty of combination products such as:

You also can find products more specifically designed for your truck's throttle body and coinciding parts, such as WD-40 - 300134 Specialist Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner. When checking F-150 throttle body cleaners, look for ones that are strong enough to clean varnish, oil, and grime from your throttle while leaving minimal residue.

How to Clean an F-150 Throttle Body

Disclaimer: The guidelines in this story are general and not meant to replace instructions for your specific vehicle. Please consult your owner's manual or repair guide before attempting repairs.

You should always preform throttle body cleaning outside or in a well-ventilated area since the cleaners usually have fumes that can be volatile or toxic in confined spaces. You will also need a well-lit place with plenty of room around the front of your vehicle to work.

Step 1: Locate and Prep Your Throttle Body

Lift your hood and look between your air cleaner and the intake manifold to find your throttle body. Most throttle bodies are made of aluminum which also makes them easy to identify.

Step 2: Put on Your Safety Gear

Before getting started on the cleaning process, you should put on eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin from the cleaners. You should disconnect your battery a few minutes before you begin when cleaning metal parts of your truck.

Step 3: Remove Intake Tubes

Look at how the air-intake tubes attach to your throttle body before you disconnect them. They may be attached with Torx head screws. If so, you will need a Torx or star shaped screwdriver or bit. You may also notice electrical wires connecting to the throttle body. These do not need to be removed and should be left alone.

If you have a lot of ductwork around your throttle body, you will just need to move enough to expose the throttle body for cleaning and the rest can be left alone.

Step 4: Spray Your Cleaner

After exposing your throttle body, you will want to spray the cleaner inside of the air ducts. Once sprayed, use a soft-bristled brush, such as a toothbrush, to gently dislodge and remove the dirt and grime that has built up. As you work, wipe the residue you've loosened away with a paper towel. Be careful that nothing falls into the throttle body during this process. Even a small piece of plastic can cause significant damage.

Continue this process until the metal is bare, using a flashlight to check inside of duct openings if necessary.

Step 5: Oil Your Throttle Shaft

Before reattaching your ducts, you will want to put a small amount of oil on the shafts where the shaft enters the throttle body. This will help to keep the throttle blade running smoothly. Make sure to wipe up any excess oil and residue before reinstalling.

Step 6: Reinstall the Ducts

Reattach the throttle body ducts to the throttle body, making sure the clamps are tightened to the same level they were before. If you are unsure, try applying the same amount of pressure tightening the screws as you did when removing them. When you've finished, all of the screws and attachments should be secure, but not over-tightened.

Step 7: Run Your Engine

Reconnect your battery and start your engine up. The engine may stumble initially or sound rough for a few minutes as any cleaning residue is burned off. This should not be a concern as long as it only lasts for a few minutes. The residue from the cleaner may also produce a small amount of white smoke. This is normal as well and will dissipate as the engine sounds return to normal. Let the engine continue to idle for a few minutes before giving your freshly cleaned F-150 a test drive.

Whether you've noticed your F-150 has been a rougher ride than usual or are just looking to extend the longevity of your engine, a throttle body cleaning can help. When you follow a find the right cleaning product and follow a few simple steps, you can improve your F-150's drivability and help keep your engine running better for longer.

Where to Buy F-150 Throttle Body Cleaner

CRC 05078 Throttle Body and Air-Intake Cleaner - 12 Wt Oz.

Berryman Products 0120 B-12 CHEMTOOL Carburetor, Choke & Throttle Body Cleaner, 20-Ounce aerosol (0120C)

Berryman Products amazon.com

$5.63

WD-40 - 300134 Specialist Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner, 13.5 OZ

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io