UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

ok, so i cleaned my throttle body and air filter box today, the car now seems to run a little smoother, here's a pic to show the difference it made:



worth doing methinks!

lookin very clean mate

What did u clean it with mate?

Nice and clean hehe, on my list of things to do

ha yeah definantly on my list too

I think , not other car's air-box can dirty as our polo

it's really worth it! i used "wynn's carb cleaner" from halfrauds, i think it's just pretty much pure achohol in a can, does the job nicely, doesn't smell too good tho!

Ant_43 wrote:it's really worth it! i used "wynn's carb cleaner" from halfrauds, i think it's just pretty much pure achohol in a can, does the job nicely, doesn't smell too good tho!

What 'tools' did you use? just this stuff and a cloth?

Did u have the engine running while you sprayed the stuff on?

I just sprayed the stuff in, taking care not to get it all over the rubber seal part, and then wiped with a cloth. Also, a cotton bud is quite useful for getting the hard to reach edges.

I did it without the engine running, but i think you can do it with it running, (probably even better for cleaning the internals), but don't trust me on this. You can probably even take the whole throttle body off, and give it a really good clean, but then you probably have to re-adjust things (if the ECU doesn't do this automatically etc, not sure)?

I was just worried i'd create a fire in my engine or something (carb cleaner is flammable stuff), so i took the safe step first!

If it is safe to do it when the engine is running, think i'll do that next weekend!

Carb cleaner is flamable, what about petrol? lol

The GTi throttle is drive-by-wire, meaning the throttle body uses complex stepper motors to turn the valve. Its very important that if you clean the throttle body you use carb cleaner safe for modern throttle bodies (some older stuff will mess up the seals etc). Its also important you are very careful in the proceedure, as replacing it isn't cheap and its a delicate electronic device.

The best way is to remove the device and clean it gently with Q-tips/cotton swabs and the spray. Then use cut out pieces of paper to clean the gap between the valve and the wall. There is a good article on how to do it to a Golf but I can't find it at this time.

Also you shouldn't really run the vehicle without its air filter.

hehe, i know petrol is flammable too! I just meant i wanted to clean it without it running first, in case there was a spark or something, and after what you've written, probably not a good idea to do it with it running !!

Anyways, knowing me a big insect would fly past and get sucked in while i'm cleaning.

I was very careful not to get the rubber seal when spraying, so if i'm lucky it won't perish (he says whilst crossing his fingers)!

I cleaned my airbox at the weekend, which was in a similar state to the above pic. Does anyone know why there is so much oil in the airbox and how it gets there? I assume when the throttle is open, it is sucking in air, so how does the oil get out?

I also slightly modified my air filter after cleaning it. There is a rubber bar that goes across above the throttle body entry, which I couldn't see a use for, so I sliced it off ! It doesn't effect how the air filter is held or secured, so I couldn't see any negatives to removing it.

Anyhow, cleaning the airbox made a definate improvement, the car felt immediately more repsonsive upon the first drive. I just need to clean my throttle body further now, now I know what it should be cleaned with .

You really should spray the carb cleaner while the engine is running, as the instructions should tell you on the can.

Nice job mate!
But make sure the spray is safe for O2 sensor,
otherwise do not use it.
As the oil, dirt, deposites got in to the combustion chamber,
go have a nice spin to make sure they won't stay inside.

BTW., there are mainly two kinds of cleaners,
one should spray while engine warm and ignition off,
the other one spray with enging running.

I use the one called "AC delco combustion chamber cleaner",
which cleans the intake valve as well. Only £2 in Hong Kong!
Just spray a whole can of that while idling, then shut off engine,
20 minutes later go for a spin, then there will be a hell of smoke
coming off from you exhaust.As long as the smoke gone,
you are done.