Is it neccesary to clean TB in newer trucks?

Roach182 · January 10, 2007

A number of people on this board cleared their low idle problems by cleaning their TB. Most if not all seem to be 2000 or older. I was told that should not be a problem in my 03 2500hd 6.0l because it does not put egr gas back into the TB to clog thinks up. I have the low idle problem, wuld I be wasting my time by cleaning the TB?

Norseman · January 10, 2007

It would hurt to spray a little Deep Creep in there. See if it helps.

Roach182 · January 10, 2007

It would hurt to spray a little Deep Creep in there. See if it helps.

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Thanks Norseman. I assume you mean "would NOT hurt"

Norseman · January 10, 2007

It would hurt to spray a little Deep Creep in there. See if it helps.

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Thanks Norseman. I assume you mean "would NOT hurt"

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Oops! yea WOULD NOT. Sorry

GM-Tech · January 10, 2007

It would hurt to spray a little Deep Creep in there. See if it helps.

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Thanks Norseman. I assume you mean "would NOT hurt"

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He did, but it WOULD hurt. Never spray any cleaner into an electronically controlled throttle body. You risk contaminating the throttle motor. Soak a rag in your favorite cleaner and wipe out the throttle body and plate.

C & A s Dad · January 11, 2007

GM Tech, thanks for this info. I never considered this hurting the motor on a drive by wire TB. Mine is a drive by wire but was replaced under warranty about a year ago and have never cleaned it. I was about to do so and now am glad I read your suggestion about the rag.

Roach182 · January 11, 2007

Thanks for the replies. If I can't spray into the throttle body how would I get GM top engine cleaner or Seafoam into the combustion chamber to dissolve carbon buildup ?

C & A s Dad · January 12, 2007

Seafoam is designed to ingest through a vacum line such as the vacum brake booster line. You simply allow the vacum of the engine to pull it into the engine. This is a pretty safe method but is not as effective as it would seem. The Seafoam will follow the path of least resistance and will travel down the closest intake runners. Some runners and comb chambers will be cleaned while others will not be.

If you are not ready to take it to a professional tech who has a good Motor Vac or BG cleaning system, you can do one of two things. Motor Vac makes an Intake cleaner in a can that comes with a 30" straw that can be inserted deep into the intake. This product will foam and cling to the intake runners and is perfectly safe. It will not harm the intake finish and will do a good job removing the build up. I have never done this second option but have seen it done. You can drill a hole into the intake tube right before the tube enters this TB. You can use Seafoam's Deep Creep which is an aerosol version of Seafoam. Insert the straw into the hole and squirt the seafoam into the hole while letting the truck idle at high speed. Be careful not to let the straw come out of the can so it will not be pulled into the hole. Once finished, simply plug the hole with a short Sheet Metal type screw.

I will add one more caution. GM Tech said that the motor can be damaged due to chems be ingested into the TB. Because of this, I would suggest you be very careful if you decide to use the Deep Creep through the air tube.

Roach182 · January 15, 2007

Thanks people. Cleaned the TB this weekend and the truck now idles fine. Thanks again.

asilverblazer · January 15, 2007

Since most of the earlier trucks had the sticky throttle from carbon gumming up the plate and sticking it shut, is there a possibility of burning up the new drive by wire throttle motor? Say if the plate gets stuck and the motor can't open the blade.