How to Clean the Throttle Body on a Jeep Wrangler JK

Chris

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The throttle body in your Jeep Wrangler controls the air to fuel mixture. The dirtier it gets, the more constricting it becomes. A dirty throttle body will affect your throttle response. You can also diagnose a dirty throttle body by how rough your Jeep is idling, again, because of how constricting the dirt and debris is. Cleaning it solves all of these problems almost immediately. You will need to remove a few components to clean it, but the results are well worth the time you will invest in it. Read on to learn how you can clean your Jeep Wrangler's throttle body.

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Figure 1. Throttle body.

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Materials Needed
  • Wrench
  • Torx screwdriver
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Throttle body cleaner
Step 1 – Disconnect battery
Disconnect the negative (black) battery cable. Simply use your wrench to loosen the nut, then pull it up and wrap it in a towel to avoid any contact with metal.

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Figure 2. Disconnect negative battery terminal.

Step 2 – Remove intake tube
To reveal the throttle body, you will need to remove the intake tube attached to it. First, remove the temperature sensor by sliding the red tab back, and then pulling it out. Then, use your screwdriver to loosen the screw on the clamp around the intake tube attaching it to the throttle body and remove the intake tube. You can either push it aside now, or you can loosen the screw on the other side by the air box and remove the tube completely out of the way.

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Figure 3. Disconnect temp sensor.


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Figure 4. Remove intake tube.

Step 3 – Remove throttle body
Remove the four Torx screws holding the throttle body in place, and then pull the throttle body out.

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Figure 5. Remove throttle body.

Step 4 – Clean throttle body
Use throttle body cleaner (or Sea Foam) to spray the assembly, then watch all the dirt and debris slide off. Spray it and wipe it as needed until you feel it looks clean.

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Figure 6. Dirty throttle body.

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Figure 7. Clean throttle body.

Step 5 – Install throttle body
Installation is the reversal of removal.

Simply align the throttle body in place, then tighten the four Torx screws to hold it in place. Attach the intake tube to the throttle body and the air box, tightening both clamps' screws. Connect the temp sensor and connect the negative battery cable.

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Figure 8. Throttle body installed