[hardtopte72]

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.

 

[fatngs]

exellent write up!!

this is pretty much exactly the same way i clean mine about once a year.... however its much easier for me because i have a k&n SRI and its much easier to remove

 

[somick]

Thanks hardtopte72!

I still cannot understand why there were so many posts about problems with TB cleaning. That was exactly what I did on my Accord that does not have Drive-by-Wire.

Thanks again,

Sam

 

[hardtopte72]

No problem. Works especially well for 2GRFE guys where the throttle plate barely opens using the brick on the pedal method.

 

[sundarpn]

Why limit the amount of spray? As long one doesn't go crazy to hydrolock the motor.

 

[hardtopte72]

I do this because by saying its ok to use larger amounts some people will hydro lock the motor (I have seen this almost happen with technicians) so I would rather just inform people to use just enough to clean. You can bend a rod or completely hydrolock it just from using too much cleaner.

 

[mn011890]

awesoem write up man. i think i am going to tackle that this weekend

 

[XV40]

:clap:excellent write up! this is really going to help me when I do this to my camry for the first time. a couple questions though: is it okay to move the butterfly by hand like that? i've heard doing that could cause damage or you would have to reprogram the computer. also, if too much cleaner is sprayed down the throttle body and the vehicle can't start, is it advisable to enter "clear flood mode"?

 

[hardtopte72]

Yes, what you have read is false. So long as the key is not in the ON position no damage will result.

And if too much spray you can do flood clear mode "Wide open throttle starting". But just in case that is why i advise to spray a little at a time and use the toothbrush.

 

[iconman]

Very informative. In my case, I pulled the throttle body out by unbolting the four bolts and that made cleaning a lot easier.

 

[leakyseals]

I found this video looking for DBW TB info for my GM 3800 series III. A lot of it applies to Toyota's DBW TB, so I'm posting it here. Enjoy.

 

[molson.david]

I do this because by saying its ok to use larger amounts some people will hydro lock the motor (I have seen this almost happen with technicians) so I would rather just inform people to use just enough to clean. You can bend a rod or completely hydrolock it just from using too much cleaner.

good write up.
thanks.
I cleaned my 2007 camry throttle body same way. but was pretty generous on cleaner, so car didn't start at first.
there is easy solution.
press accelerator pedal half way down and start your engine.
it might "cough" smoke cloude on the first try, but will start normally after that.

 

[sedantic]

Very easy to do. Just did this cleanup on mine last week. It actually wasn't that dirty for 192K miles on the car. :rockon:

 

[Yotatech1]

I would turn the ignition on and press the gas pedal down to open the throttle body so you dont cause any damage to the DBW TB. You may do hundreds and not have any problems but its not worth the risk.

 

[hardtopte72]

There is no risk.

So long as the key isn't in the ignition nothing will happen and nothing has happened.

Also for engines like the 2GRFE pressing the gas pedal with key on doesnt open the throttle enough for cleaning.

I have used this method with EVERY SINGLE DBW Toyota throttle including my own cars, family cars, and other cars I service without a single issue.

As a matter off fact I just did did a TB cleaning on my FIL's car on New Years eve. 2007 DBW 1ZZFE which I also did a DIY on in the Corolla section without issue.

Damaging the TB with key off or out of the ignition is a myth. These cars are not that fragile.

 

[Yotatech1]

I have seen people damage them when cleaning by just opening the TB with their hands. Maybe they had the key in the ignition, or turned on, who knows. Im not risking a very expensive TB. Like I said you could do a million and not have an issue, then someone else could do one and mess it up, you never know.

 

[hardtopte72]

Based on the sheer number I would say that I know pretty well.

I too have seen the damage caused by a key on throttle opening. Which is why I state to make sure.

You can use a pedal depressor, brick, stick, all you want. I am just pointing out in the hundreds (probably closer to thousands) of these cleanings I have done I have had not one issue doing this method.

Also with a 2GRFE owner the above method doesn't work. That throttle at key on engine off pedal floored only opens maybe 5-10%.

Also if you are cleaning and whatever you use slips off the pedal while you are cleaning then damage will likely result. In that sense its more risky.

To each their own. Ill keep using this method.

 

[bluemeany]

hey , ill add to this old thread

im considering doing this tomorrow. as i got the time,

e.g i'm unemployed as of yesterday. :thumbsup:


if any one of worried about causing damaged to electrical modules and such. just disconnect the battery. no power no problems.

the whole car is a dead lump of metal and plastic, go to town!

then reconnect the battery after your done and start it up. if it pulls a engine light, just turn it off and disconnect the negative for a few minutes. press on the brake for few seconds, to get that remaining charge out of the car. and bobs your aunty!!

 

[JOET/CAMRY]

Thank You Hardtopte72 for the great write up on throttle body cleaning. Does it matter if the battery is connected or not. Thanks.

 

[srivenkat]

Hello,

Thanks for posting this. Would I just hand-tighten the screws and nuts when I put everything back together or should they be torqued to specific torque specs? If the latter, can you mention them as well if you have them?

Thanks again.