Run Rite Engine Snake?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 764
Likes: 18
From: NY
Run Rite Engine Snake?
I came across this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWey1OCKwh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8C_qtxdnOc
It looks like a great tool. I am scared to do my TB because its DBW and I keep hearing horror stories of High idle afterwards, or ruining the TPS sensor inside. Also, i see pictures of people actually pressing the plate on a DBW throttle body- i thought this was a big no-no- but if its DMW and there is actually no cable and motor driven, what choice does one have to clean it? The snake looks awesome because it it's easy, cleans better - and there is no spraying of cleaner into the TB. I want to do this but can't seem to pull the trigger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWey1OCKwh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8C_qtxdnOc
It looks like a great tool. I am scared to do my TB because its DBW and I keep hearing horror stories of High idle afterwards, or ruining the TPS sensor inside. Also, i see pictures of people actually pressing the plate on a DBW throttle body- i thought this was a big no-no- but if its DMW and there is actually no cable and motor driven, what choice does one have to clean it? The snake looks awesome because it it's easy, cleans better - and there is no spraying of cleaner into the TB. I want to do this but can't seem to pull the trigger.
Last edited by Lust4Lexus; Apr 21, 2010 at 10:30 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 9
From: MA
I think this would be more effective if you aren't up for removing the throttle body... I don't think the snake will do a thorough enough job.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Yourself-Sy.../dp/B001AIZ5GA
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Yourself-Sy.../dp/B001AIZ5GA
That snake thingee doesn't look like something I'd want to use. Even in the video they don't seem to get the hinge area very clean (seems you can still see crud on the edges of the throttle plate near the hinge pin), plus I just don't trust that internet products like have been tested and PROVEN long-term safe for O2 sensors and other components. There's got to be something non-volatile (solids that won't evaporate) in the chemistry to make it into the gel-like consistency, so I'd wonder if there could be any reaction once that stuff makes its way onto the hot valves, piston tops, etc. Granted, it's probably only a small risk, but the bottom line is it doesn't even seem to do that great of a job in cleaning, so I'd rather use something designed to safely clean the throttle plate (like the 3M cleaner that JimsGX linked -- I know from being a supplier to them in years past that 3M does their homework on products that they market). I'm not generally a believer in the need for fuel system cleaners, the wisdom of seafoam-like products, etc., but some vehicles will need the throttle plate cleaned eventually, and I'd use one of the evaporative liquid cleaners for that, along with a detailing brush if needed. Just my $.02....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 764
Likes: 18
From: NY
Do you think my ls with 48k would need the TB cleaned yet? Im thinking about just leaving it alone until it is out of warranty Im only 4 months into my 3 year warranty. I have always had bad luck when it comes to the old adage of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but you know how car guys get- they want every last ounce of performance from their car- especially an LS. The car has a slight tremble sometimes at idle- it does idle rock solid according tot he tach.
I don't really know. Some engine/intake tract/PCV designs are such that the TB will need cleaning relatively often (some older Hondas and Nissans, for example), and some almost never really need cleaning in normal use. I haven't heard of the 430 (UZ series) engine needing cleaning, but that doesn't mean much. My only experience is that my old '03 LS has 89K on it now (in the hands of the new owner) and it's never been cleaned and I believe the engine idles and runs at least as smoothly my 55K mile '05 (which hasn't been cleaned either). All that said, I suppose it couldn't hurt to clean it.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
The snake thing reminds me of a vega-matic - something complicated and expensive to replace a sharp knife and a chopping block. The snake looks like something relatively complicated and expensive to replace using a finger, carb cleaner, and a clean rag (which would do a much better job).
Should be easy enough to loosen and pull away the rubber duct and check the throttle body to see if it is dirty and needs a wipe down.
Should be easy enough to loosen and pull away the rubber duct and check the throttle body to see if it is dirty and needs a wipe down.
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