Did You Clean Your Throttle Body?

[ringadingh]

I cleaned my throttle body yesterday with a spray can of Kleen Flo's Carb & Choke Cleaner. It took about 5minutes and made a big difference in the idle. Before I cleaned it it wouldn't idle at all until the bike warmed up for about 5 minutes,After cleaning I had to turn the idle down about 1 1/2 - 2 turns as it was revving quite high. Now when I start it the bike idles on its own right from the start. I was getting 39 mpg Cdn before the cleaning, Im hoping it goes up higher with this tank of fuel, as I used to get 42-44 mpg last season.I like it when something that simple makes a noticeable difference in the bikes performance.

[blowndodge]

Yes it does. I clean mine 4 times a year. Restores a nice smooth idle.

[bobzinger]

Whats the process for cleaning it?

[blowndodge]

remove right side cover.
Open the throttle all the way (engine off)
spray your favorite carb cleaner or seafoam giving everyting a good soak
take an old toothbrush with additional cleaner applied to it and scrub both sides of the butterfly valves thoroughly.
Start engine. (might be difficult at this time from the cleaner)
I spray full speed into each injector hole with the throttle wide open. (engine won't over rev if the fluid is coming out of the can is fast enough. shoot both throttle bores for about 10 seconds each.

done.

[ponch]

I have been meaning to do it. That and some sea foam.

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I cleaned my throttle body yesterday with a spray can of Kleen Flo's Carb & Choke Cleaner. It took about 5minutes and made a big difference in the idle. Before I cleaned it it wouldn't idle at all until the bike warmed up for about 5 minutes,After cleaning I had to turn the idle down about 1 1/2 - 2 turns as it was revving quite high. Now when I start it the bike idles on its own right from the start. I was getting 39 mpg Cdn before the cleaning, Im hoping it goes up higher with this tank of fuel, as I used to get 42-44 mpg last season.I like it when something that simple makes a noticeable difference in the bikes performance.

[dogdoc]

what BD said, 4X a yr at least. Seafoam in the gas the same.

[radco]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I cleaned my throttle body yesterday with a spray can of Kleen Flo's Carb & Choke Cleaner. It took about 5minutes and made a big difference in the idle. Before I cleaned it it wouldn't idle at all until the bike warmed up for about 5 minutes,After cleaning I had to turn the idle down about 1 1/2 - 2 turns as it was revving quite high. Now when I start it the bike idles on its own right from the start. I was getting 39 mpg Cdn before the cleaning, Im hoping it goes up higher with this tank of fuel, as I used to get 42-44 mpg last season.I like it when something that simple makes a noticeable difference in the bikes performance.

GREAT Question,, THANKs,,,as for MPG,, GAS in MOST states now is reformulated,, IE: 10%alcohol .. THEY do not ;ist it as being added in alot of States or countries, SO lower MPG may be caused by that as well.............Rich

[ringadingh]

I refilled the bike tonight after burning a tank with the clean throttle body, I travelled 33 miles farther on the same amount of fuel. The can of cleaner payed for itself on the first tank.

[ds06nomad]

So for us F.I. guys just adding Sea Foam to the gas tank is accomplishing the same? or no???

Thanks,
Daryl (stupid question # 4,672)!!!

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by ds06nomad

So for us F.I. guys just adding Sea Foam to the gas tank is accomplishing the same? or no???

Thanks,
Daryl (stupid question # 4,672)!!!

I also use Seafoam on a regular basis, my opinion is that it does a good job of keeping the motor clean internally, more than the throttle body. Dirt builds up on the inner walls and butterfly assembly, this is where its mostly intake air passing through the body. The carb cleaner removes all of that dirt. Seafoam would probably clean ok if you sprayed it into the throttle body physically,and cleaned it with an old toothbrush. I don't think just adding it to the gas is effective enough on this particular part of the bike.

[blowndodge]

+1

[chawnyboy]

I seem to be getting pretty crappy gas mileage, maybe this will help. I have an 05 nomad so it is F.I. Is it the same procedure and where do I get this sea foam from?

thanks

[ds06nomad]

Chawnyboy,
I purchased Sea Foam at my local NAPA auto parts store. Not sure if places like Wal-mart, Kragan, etc have it, but I know NAPA does. Call ahead to your local store to be certain. I think I paid ~ $7 for my can of Sea Foam.

Ringadingh and BD,
Thanks for the info. I'll remove my right side air intake and do the "spray/clean" procedure on the throttle body. It shouldn't be too bad since I'm just coming up on 4,000 miles, but I'm a HUGE believer in preventive maintenance. Anything to keep Gollum happy and purring for lots and lots of miles to come...

Thanks again,
Daryl

[blowndodge]

Daryl, 4K miles is plenty to have build up on the butterfly valves. You might be surprised..

[redjay]

[quote author=blowndodge board=general thread=3298 post=64050 time=1208968366]remove right side cover.
Open the throttle all the way (engine off)
spray your favorite carb cleaner or seafoam giving everyting a good soak
take an old toothbrush with additional cleaner applied to it and scrub both sides of the butterfly valves thoroughly.
Start engine. (might be difficult at this time from the cleaner)
I spray full speed into each injector hole with the throttle wide open. (engine won't over rev if the fluid is coming out of the can is fast enough. shoot both throttle bores for about 10 seconds each.