Hello I was working on my neighbors Gen 5.5 Camry today and decided I would snap some pictures of the process I like to use to clean the throttle body. I have used this method to clean HUNDREDS of Toyota throttle bodies and do so on all my own cars. This procedure will apply identically to all 2002-2009 Camry and 2004-2008 Solara, with the later Gen 6 Camry and Gen 2 Solara (2007+) 2AZFE only differing in the location of the resonator, which makes removing the clamp a little bit harder.
This procedure is similar in all Rav4, Scion tC, Corolla, Matrix, Highlander, etc. with a 2AZFE engine. The process is basically the same for all DBW Toyotas with differences in clamp style and orientation in the engine bay.
Disclaimer: Myself or Toyotanation are not liable for any damage or injury that may result from you following this DIY. Vehicles should be serviced by qualified technicians. Proceed at your own risk.
Tools needed.
10MM Socket
Ratchet
6" extension (for ratchet)
Decently long needle nose pliers
Throttle Cleaner
Old toothbrush
Step 1. Park your car in the work area and pop open your hood (sorry for the blurry picture).
Step 2. Remove the keys from the ignition. Place them somewhere away from the ignition (seat, inside the house, tool box, under hood, etc.)
Caution: This step is crucial. Attempting to open the throttle with the key on could damage it.
Step 3. Remove the engine cover. Using your 10mm socket and ratchet remove the two 10MM nuts (Circled in white) from the studs. Then pull the cover up and off of the engine.
Step 4. Remove the PCV hose off the valve cover by grasping it with your hand and pulling it straight off (I have never encountered one that wouldnt come off). If it doesn't come off, using your needle nose pliers depress the clamp, slide it down the hose towards the airbox, and twist off the hose.
Step 5. Remove the MAF sensor connector. Depress the connector release and pull the connector off of the MAF sensor.
Step 6. Remove the EVAP VSV connector using the same method for the MAF.
Step 7. Remove the EVAP VSV hose that goes to the EVAP line. Press in the ears of the hose clamp and move the clamp down the hose. Then twist and pull the hose off.
Step 8. Remove the Vacuum line from the throttle body by pulling it straight off (or using the same method as in step 7, your choice).
Step 9. Loosen the 2 captive screws (they only loosen and dont come out all the way) from the air box cover using your ratchet, extension, and 10mm socket. There is one bolt each located on the left and right sides of the air box when facing the engine from the driver side strut area.
Step 10. Lock the air intake hose clamp into the open position. Using your long pliers press in the ears of the clamp and slowly let go until the clamp locks in the open positon.
Clamp
Locked open
Step 11. Remove the air intake hose, VSV, and air box cover as one assembly and move it to the side. Pull the intake hose off of the throttle body and move the entire airbox assembly with intake hose to the side.
Step 12. Observe your dirty throttle body.
Step 13. Spray and small amount of throttle cleaner into the closed throttle body.
Step 14. Using your hand open the throttle body valve and spray a small amount of throttle cleaner into the bore. Less is more here.
Step 15. Using your toothbrush brush the throttle body inside. If it gets dry lightly spray it again. Be sure to clean every part you can, include the throttle valve top, bottom, and edge, as well as all top and bottom of the bore.
Step 16. Watch as all the nasty carbon in your throttle body shows itself.
Step 17. Wash down all the carbon with your throttle cleaner with as little throttle cleaner as it takes (dont spray the whole can in there, just enough to wash off all the carbon). Brush it down one more time with the toothbrush and wash it down one last time and observe your clean throttle body.
Step 18. Reinstall your air intake hose, air box cover, and EVAP VSV assembly.
Step 19. Reinstall the throttle body clamp. First position the clamp in such a way that it can removed in the future. Then lock the clamp closed by pressing the ears in, twisting the pliers, and releasing until the clamp goes back into the closed position.
Step 20. Reinstall the air box cover bolts.
Step 21. Reinstall the vacuum hose on your throttle body. If you loosened the clamp, be sure to move it back to its original position.
Step 22. Reinstall the EVAP hose on the EVAP VSV. If you loosened the clamp, be sure to move it back to its original position.
Step 23. Reinstall the EVAP VSV connector.
Step 24. Reinstall the MAF sensor connector.
Step 25. Reinstall the PCV valve hose. If you loosened the clamp, be sure to move it back to its original position.
Step 26. Reinstall the engine cover.
Step 27. Retrieve your keys.
Step 28. Start the car. It may take a few tries to eventually start. When it does start give it a good rev to at least 4000 rpms a few times to clear it out.
Step 29. Go for a test drive. Make sure to floor the gas a few times to clear it out.
Step 30. Enjoy your now clean throttle body with the benefit of a smoother idle.
