Clean Your Throttlebody!

Throttlebody cleaning is probably one of the best things to do for any of your vehicles and is very easy (atleast on the Jeep). There are three sensors on the OBD-II Jeep throttlebody, they are manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP), idle air control (IAC), and throttle position sensor (TPS). It is placed between the intake manifold and the air inlet tube and has linkages connected to it. As the throttlebodies become dirty they will restrict air esspecially when it comes to the IAC, it will clog the small inlet that allows air to enter to keep your motor running while idle because the butterfly is completely closed. Symptoms of a dirty throttlebody include difficulty to start and a rough idle that does not hold constant. Other factors can also play a role on these however a simple cleaning is a good place to start.

There are a couple ways of cleaning your throttlebody. You can go the less labor intensive way of just spraying carb cleaner in it or remove it from the intake manifold completely (this is my methodology). I clean all the sensors as well as the butterfly and the inside of the throttlebody with carb cleaner with some paper towels and get this result. My throttlebody isn't too dirty anymore, I do it roughtly ever 10k-15k miles. The first time I did this I had 100k miles on the jeep and it was black and I was amazed that the throttlebody can be that clean.

What you need (4.0L)
10mm socket
tamper-proof torx
carb cleaner
paper towels

1) Remove the air inlet tube, disconnect the sensors (remember which connector goes to what sensor) and disconnect the linkage cables, they take alittle work but once you figure out how each comes off they are not hard.
2) Remove the 4 bolts holding the throttlebody onto the manifold and lift the throttlebody off.
3) Remove all sensors and the butterfly, this can be done by undoing the two torx screws and rotating the butterfly valve to wide open throttle and shake it out. You can remove the whole thing but remember how the spring works before you pull out the shaft, its tricky to get back together if you're alone.
4) Spray carb cleaner through the throttlebody and wipe clean.
5) Additional option: If you have tamper-proof torx, you can take the chamber off for the IAC (it is a little maze and will help when cleaning). It involves removing four torx screws.
6) Give the IAC a good cleaning, spray down the needle and giving it a good wiping. I like to spray some extra below and swish it around and pour it out.
7) I also like to give a small spray in the inlet of the MAP. The TPS typically doesn't not require much work but you're welcome to wipe that up too if it is dirty.
8) Reinstall the butterfly, sensors, and chamber. The butterfly can be tricky to get back in if you're alone as well, its not easy to hold the throttle open full and drop in the disk.
9) Reinstall on the manifold and put air inlet tube back on.

Notes:
1) Remember how the butterfly was oriented, put a mark on one half of the topside so you can reinstall how it came out, it is no necessary to remove this part but it does make the cleaning process easier, leave it in if you don't feel comfortable removing it.
2) It is also a good idea to reset your computer but is not necessary.

Disclaimer: You can use these instructions however you choose, but I am not liable for anything you do. Please feel free to link to them from other sites, but you must get my permission first before copying them off of this site to elsewhere.