Throttle Body Cleaning

rashonline · October 9, 2011

Hi guys, listen to what my mechanic did yesterday. While I went to get a bottle of water, he removed the air tubes, "started the engine" AND with the engine running, he sprayed "ACDELCO Carburettor Cleaner" inside the trrottle body on and around the plate and was still spraying when I returned and the truck was emitting white smoke from the exhaust. When I asked him, he said this is the correct procedure to clean the TB.

I dont know it was right or wrong, but the truck behaved strange after that. RPM going up and down, idle speed varied, gear shifting was abnormal and the truck suddenly picked up with a jerk while accelerating from a traffic light stop or stopping suddenly while I attempted gradual stop at a traffic light.

I spent a sleepless night but today when I took out my truck to come to the office, It behaved a lot better almost normal and I believe it might get better when it will "learn" the cleaned TB. The idle RPM still is not constant though.

You all are professionals here on this forum. I have narrated the situation in the best way I thought. Please advise whatever was done on my truck was acceptable or I should expect some problem in future. What is the periodic schedule to clean the TB.

Thanks a Lot!

Rashid

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2004 GMC YUKON V8-323ci 5.3L FLEX/FI Vin Z #32649 AWD with Transfer Case

00Silverado4x4 · November 24, 2011

Carb cleaner being sprayed into a fuel injected engine...that is the number one thing I've been told me that you do NOT do.

Anyway a while ago (about 40k miles ago or so) I thought to check my throttle plate (truck is DBW) I simply took of the intake tube, pushed open the plate to check it out. It was black, took a shop rag & some acetone and cleaned that bugger right up. Then held it open for awhile with a wooden stick (cut off mop handle) to make sure it was dry. Finally gave everything a once over to make sure I didn't leave any rag, black crap anywhere & made sure flap worked as advertised & put it back together. Started truck, took it for a drive, all was & continues to be well. So for the cost of about well nothing, my throttle plate was cleaned & I'll do it again in a heartbeat. Hope this doesn't get me slaughtered by the pros & helps someone of us mechanically inclined, less weathly old schools mechanics out there.

michigan2500hd · December 3, 2011

On my 05 I removed the tb to clean it and being a drive by wire it has a stepper motor instead of a cable..I manualy opened the blade and cleaned everything. Installed it back in the truck and started it just to have "reduced engine power" on the DIC..dealer replaced the TB and advice me not to ever manualy open the blade lol..damn tuck would go over 35 the whole trip there..lesson learned

croby50613 · March 30, 2013

Okay, I need assistance. I have the P1516 code and from I've researched online (alot) I'm supposed to do the following; Check the wiring, check to see if its just really dirty and check the plate. The code says;

- Faulty Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module
- Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module harness is open or shorted
- Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module circuit poor electrical connection
- Check Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module connector for water
- Binding or bent throttle plate-failed throttle body

I have a 2003 Silverado 1500 4x4 Ext Cab 5.3 Vortec V8 ... 269k miles, and over 10k hours. I have the Chiltons manual and the factory one the truck came with and I can't find any instructions or guides for cleaning it. Does anyone have one? I haven't even found it on my truck, its not where the chiltons book says its supposed to be.

PLEASE HELP ME!