AAAAHHHH! My car won't start after TB cleaning

[TRDSleeper]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1991 Camry and today I decided to clean the throttle body since it's been 10 years since we've bought the car and the TB is very dirty. Here's exactly what I did: I unplugged the battery, unclip the MAF sensor, removed the air intake tube, then sprayed the TB with Valvoline SynPower throttle body and carburator cleaner. I sprayed a little at first but then it seem like there was still a lot of dirt and oil so I ended up using nearly the entire can of cleaner. After 30 minutes I reinstalled the air intake hose, connected the MAF sensor back, then reconnected the battery. The car cranked twice and totally choked. I tried starting it 4 times and it still won't turn over. The starter kept on cranking but no luck. I think I could have flooded the intake manifold with the cleaner. Does anyone have any idea how I can get my car started again? Thank you.

[89 2wd]

Blow compressed air into, on, and around the TB then you can prop the throttle open and let it dry out for an hour or so. Also make sure your dist cap isn't wet inside.

[Mike Gerber]

First of all, turning over and cranking mean the same thing. It's the action of the starter rotating (or spinning over) the engine until the engine begins to run on it's own.

With all the throttle body cleaner now in the intake plenum, the car will act as if it's flooded, because it is. The way to get it started is to hold the accelerator pedal to the floor while cranking the engine. If the battery is strong, the engine will eventually start. It may take about 10 seconds of cranking to get it to run. If it doesn't start after 10 seconds of cranking, stop and wait about 2 minutes; then try again. You don't want to overheat the starter by continuous cranking. As long as the battery is strong enough to continue cranking, the car will eventually start.

Mike

[TRDSleeper]

Thanks for the help guys. I opened the throttle plate and let the TB cleaner evaporate overnight and tried starting the car again in the morning. After 4 times the car idled really roughly but eventually managed to start. I am glad for that. However, now I noticed a big oil or fluid spill near the upper left corner of the engine bay. I looked at my power steering fluid reservoir and nearly all of the PS fluid is gone! What the heck is going on? Did the TB cleaner did something bad to the power steering or did the rough idling caused the power steering hoses to crack and develop a leak? I am really confused.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by TRDSleeper

Thanks for the help guys. I opened the throttle plate and let the TB cleaner evaporate overnight and tried starting the car again in the morning. After 4 times the car idled really roughly but eventually managed to start. I am glad for that. However, now I noticed a big oil or fluid spill near the upper left corner of the engine bay. I looked at my power steering fluid reservoir and nearly all of the PS fluid is gone! What the heck is going on? Did the TB cleaner did something bad to the power steering or did the rough idling caused the power steering hoses to crack and develop a leak? I am really confused.

Probably not directly related, although as you say, the rough running may have finally broken open a badly cracked hose or fitting. Be glad it happened in your driveway, rather then out on the highway somewhere. Diagnose where the leak is coming from (I like to spray the area down with brake cleaner to help determine the source) and repair it yourself or take it somewhere to get it repaired.

Mike

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Probably not directly related, although as you say, the rough running may have finally broken open a badly cracked hose or fitting. Be glad it happened in your driveway, rather then out on the highway somewhere. Diagnose where the leak is coming from (I like to spray the area down with brake cleaner to help determine the source) and repair it yourself or take it somewhere to get it repaired.

Mike

Whoa! Don't spray brake parts cleaner on your paint!!!

Most likely, the leak is in the power steering high pressure hose. Its a common problem on Camrys now that they are so old.

-Charlie