Throttle body cleaning for the KK?

lfhoward · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:21 pm

I'm coming up on 60,000 miles and will be replacing my spark plugs soon (plain old copper core plugs, btw). While I have everything apart, I was thinking of doing a throttle body cleaning, like I used to do on my old XJ when I changed the plugs. The TB in the KK is drive by wire, though-- meaning there is an electrical connection that controls the throttle position, not a cable. Also, it appears that the IAC is not a separate unit. I don't want to screw anything up, so would someone who has cleaned a KK throttle body walk me through what to do? Or if you know that I shouldn't mess with it, let me know. Thanks in advance. --LFH

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:55 pm

I'll just tell you how I've done it. If it's wrong, someone chime in.
air intake tube off so you can easily access the throttle body. Have your can of throttle body cleaner and one or two paper towels. The throttle (plate?) can be moved with your hand with little force by simply pushing on it. Short bursts of the cleaner are usually recommended. Make sure you spray all around the circular plate and do the back of the throttle body and if it's dirty, your paper towel will be nice and black now. Make sure everything is all buttoned up before you start it back up. Obviously be careful with overpray on other parts. When you go to start your Jeep, it will most likely take an extra second or two to fire up. You should feel a much more crisp throttle now.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:08 pm

Thanks, Gageraid. Sounds pretty simple, like the way I used to clean the TB on my 4.0. So there are no special sensors in there that I need to avoid spraying with TB cleaner?

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:13 pm

Very simple. No sensors in there that I've ever heard of. Just don't be alarmed if it takes an extra second to start back up. I'd recommend driving it as soon as possible after.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:58 pm

Cool. Will do. Thanks for your help. :rockon:

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:36 pm

Be sure to post how it feels afterwards.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:45 pm

Do not force open that throttle by wire TB,you can damage it.

Have someone turn the key to run(engine off!!!!!) and hold the gas pedal to the floor.DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT THROTTLE PLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will chop your finger off(seen it happen personally,not to me),use a soft brisle toothbrush and only use throttle body cleaner speced for your type of throttle body as they have a special coating on in them that is easily taken off by the wrong cleaners and then you get some nasty codes that will not go away till you replace the TB.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:52 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Do not force open that throttle by wire TB,you can damage it.

Have someone turn the key to run(engine off!!!!!) and hold the gas pedal to the floor.DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT THROTTLE PLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will chop your finger off(seen it happen personally,not to me),use a soft brisle toothbrush and only use throttle body cleaner speced for your type of throttle body as they have a special coating on in them that is easily taken off by the wrong cleaners and then you get some nasty codes that will not go away till you replace the TB.

I guess it would be a better idea to have someone press the pedal down, but you would have to be pretty dumb and lack patience to chop your finger off.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:20 am

Gageraid wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Do not force open that throttle by wire TB,you can damage it.

Have someone turn the key to run(engine off!!!!!) and hold the gas pedal to the floor.DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT THROTTLE PLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will chop your finger off(seen it happen personally,not to me),use a soft brisle toothbrush and only use throttle body cleaner speced for your type of throttle body as they have a special coating on in them that is easily taken off by the wrong cleaners and then you get some nasty codes that will not go away till you replace the TB.

I guess it would be a better idea to have someone press the pedal down, but you would have to be pretty dumb and lack patience to chop your finger off.

Or the PCM tells the TB to close,which it will at some point.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:27 am

Didn't know that would be possible with the engine off.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:51 am

Now I'm thinking I'm not going to mess with it. The gains from cleaning the TB no longer sound worth the risks of screwing it up (or being severely injured, or having the severed front end of a toothbrush loose in your intake manifold). :dizzy:

These kinds of considerations are why I started this thread. Thanks for the input.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:53 am

lfhoward wrote:

Now I'm thinking I'm not going to mess with it. The gains from cleaning the TB no longer sound worth the risks of screwing it up (or being severely injured, or having the severed front end of a toothbrush loose in your intake manifold). :dizzy:

These kinds of considerations are why I started this thread. Thanks for the input.

I've got all of my fingers, and have cleaned it more than once before. I'll let you have two of my fingers if you lose a piece of one of yours.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:59 am

Gageraid wrote:

lfhoward wrote:

Now I'm thinking I'm not going to mess with it. The gains from cleaning the TB no longer sound worth the risks of screwing it up (or being severely injured, or having the severed front end of a toothbrush loose in your intake manifold). :dizzy:

These kinds of considerations are why I started this thread. Thanks for the input.

I've got all of my fingers, and have cleaned it more than once before. I'll let you have two of my fingers if you lose a piece of one of yours.

Ha ha, thanks. I never thought that would really happen if the Jeep wasn't on. But I am now a bit concerned (curious?) about the idea that forcing the TB open to clean it could mess up the motor/sensors that controls the throttle position. And I have no idea about the special coating issue. That's a new one for me. Have you ever heard of this?

Gageraid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:01 am

lfhoward wrote:

Gageraid wrote:

lfhoward wrote:

Now I'm thinking I'm not going to mess with it. The gains from cleaning the TB no longer sound worth the risks of screwing it up (or being severely injured, or having the severed front end of a toothbrush loose in your intake manifold). :dizzy:

These kinds of considerations are why I started this thread. Thanks for the input.

I've got all of my fingers, and have cleaned it more than once before. I'll let you have two of my fingers if you lose a piece of one of yours.

Ha ha, thanks. I never thought that would really happen if the Jeep wasn't on. But I am now a bit concerned (curious?) about the idea that forcing the TB open to clean it could mess up the motor/sensors that controls the throttle position. And I have no idea about the special coating issue. That's a new one for me. Have you ever heard of this?

I would do some research on the throttle body being able to close on it's own. Sounds bogus to me. Regular throttle body cleaner will work just fine. Just be careful as with everything.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:06 am

As I plan to be replacing the spark plugs, I'll have the negative battery terminal disconnected anyway. That should eliminate the possibility it could close on its own. And I will use Throttle Body cleaner (not carb cleaner). Thanks for sharing your experiences, Gageraid!

Gageraid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:08 am

Disconnecting the battery sounds like a great idea if something like this is possible and is probably recommended anyways. Be sure to check the gap on the plugs because it makes for one heck of a difference. I did that today.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:11 am

Will do. Is the gap 0.42? If I remember correctly...

Gageraid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:19 am

lfhoward wrote:

Will do. Is the gap 0.42? If I remember correctly...

I believe it's actually .043. It would say it in the manual most likely. This number came up in a quick google search.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:21 am

Thanks, I'll verify with the owners manual before checking the gaps. Have a good night, and thanks again. :JEEPIN:

KK4x4 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:25 pm

If its a drive by wire and the battery is disconnected, shouldn't the throttle not even open period? I'm probably wrong but just a thought.

Throttle body cleaning for the KK?

Who is online