DIY Throttle Body Clean ??
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 7
From: al
So I broke down and did this process last weekend, this is for the 460. Very easy and took no time at all. Unplugged the battery first before I did anything else. 4 10mm bolts on the front, unplug the throttle body harness, and also 2 small coolant hoses are connected on the bottom back of the throttle body as a run through - be sure and make sure engine is totally cooled down before removing those small hoses, and there is a pressure relief screw located at the top of the main radiator where the top coolant hose connects to.
Be warned though after the cleaning proccess combined with the battery unplugged for a length of time your GS will possibly run in a safe mode for a day or two, the throttle response lags and power seems cut down, but all the parameters of the system eventually returns to normal. Mine behaved this way.
Be warned though after the cleaning proccess combined with the battery unplugged for a length of time your GS will possibly run in a safe mode for a day or two, the throttle response lags and power seems cut down, but all the parameters of the system eventually returns to normal. Mine behaved this way.
Last edited by Marklouis; Mar 18, 2015 at 07:47 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 7
From: al
MAF sensor was a piece of cake also. Just 2 screws located at the back of the airfilter box. Be sure and use MAF sensor cleaner recommended for the brand you have, mine was Toyota Denso so the CRC MAF Sensor cleaner I used was safe. Notice the MAF housing has sensors in 2 different locations, at the base and inside the tube.
Went ahead and polished up the headlights while I was at it with 3M perfect it III compound.
Went ahead and polished up the headlights while I was at it with 3M perfect it III compound.
Last edited by Marklouis; Mar 17, 2015 at 08:27 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 306
Likes: 13
From: FL
Here's the process for the GS/IS V6
Remove side engine cover (already removed in picture)
Loosen the 10mm clamps and remove the PCV tube (already removed in picture)
Remove the 4 10mm bolts on the throttle body and proceed to clean the throttle body.
This picture just shows the back side of the throttle body
Picture of one of the intake ports. This engine had a rebuild done not too long ago. I forgot how long ago but it was less than 2 years
Remove side engine cover (already removed in picture)
Loosen the 10mm clamps and remove the PCV tube (already removed in picture)
Remove the 4 10mm bolts on the throttle body and proceed to clean the throttle body.
This picture just shows the back side of the throttle body
Picture of one of the intake ports. This engine had a rebuild done not too long ago. I forgot how long ago but it was less than 2 years
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: ca
Here's the process for the GS/IS V6
Remove side engine cover (already removed in picture)
Loosen the 10mm clamps and remove the PCV tube (already removed in picture)
Remove the 4 10mm bolts on the throttle body and proceed to clean the throttle body.
This picture just shows the back side of the throttle body
Picture of one of the intake ports. This engine had a rebuild done not too long ago. I forgot how long ago but it was less than 2 years
Remove side engine cover (already removed in picture)
Loosen the 10mm clamps and remove the PCV tube (already removed in picture)
Remove the 4 10mm bolts on the throttle body and proceed to clean the throttle body.
This picture just shows the back side of the throttle body
Picture of one of the intake ports. This engine had a rebuild done not too long ago. I forgot how long ago but it was less than 2 years
Did you replace the gasket / sealer when you removed the tb?
Also, does the internal medal plate open freely. Can we just push it open or is it electronically limited?
Last edited by Lexo11; Mar 18, 2015 at 08:59 PM. Reason: additional comment
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 289
Likes: 16
From: Oklahoma
good questions. I attempted to clean my throttle body the other day but stopped. I was reading that if you force the plate open that you would have to reprogram your ecu or something and that it's better to have someone else in the car push the accelerator to open it (with motor off). Well, I tried that and not only did it NOT open...but it would start making a light buzzing noise when I applied some manual pressure to the plate. I cleaned the front opening, but not the back and not much else as I was afraid i would cause a bigger problem.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 306
Likes: 13
From: FL
The throttle plate will rotate 90 degrees freely when opened. There's no reprograming and you wont damage it as long as you don't try to force it open passed its capabilities. I was performing a recall on this specific car and the recall doesn't supply a throttle body gasket. I've never had one leak before.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: ca
The throttle plate will rotate 90 degrees freely when opened. There's no reprograming and you wont damage it as long as you don't try to force it open passed its capabilities. I was performing a recall on this specific car and the recall doesn't supply a throttle body gasket. I've never had one leak before.
Someone had mentioned that it would be good to just replace the gasket since it is already unscrewed. Wasn't sure if it would really matter or not. I assumed it may be worn out might as well replace it.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 22
From: Ga
I'm a Lexus master tech, and have seen plenty of vehicles that will not idle properly with a dirty throttle body due to carbon build up. Especially after the battery has been replaced, and the throttle learn value has been cleared. The vehicles will simply die at idle, and the gas must be held dow partly to keep it running.
Clean the throttle every 30K, anything less is overkill.
Clean the throttle every 30K, anything less is overkill.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
If someone can post a diy on this project it would be greatly appreciated.
Some say remove the tb to clean it thoroughly other say just to clean it as is. I personally would think it is better to remove the tb and clean is from both sides. I just don't know if the sealer/ gasket needs to be replaced after removing the tb. Any suggestions?
Some say remove the tb to clean it thoroughly other say just to clean it as is. I personally would think it is better to remove the tb and clean is from both sides. I just don't know if the sealer/ gasket needs to be replaced after removing the tb. Any suggestions?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post