[DIY] E70 4.8i Throttle Body Cleaning

[finagle69]

This is an easy, half hour job at most. And it is good for preventative maintenance. I don't know where the throttle body is located on the 3.0 or 35i, but the process would be very similar.

Tools you'll need:

(1) flat-head screwdriver
(1) can of throttle body cleaner
Lighting of some kind

First, open the hood.


Next, we lift the aesthetic engine cover.


Now we need to remove the tubing/resonator that connects the intake manifold/throttle body to the MAF tube/sensor. There are two hose clamps that take a small flat-head screwdriver to loosen and remove. The first is at the coupling of this tube to the MAF tube. Loosen this clamp.


Pull tube towards front of vehicle.


The next clamp is both difficult to see and to get to. Here is the location, just follow the bottom of the tube down.


Insert the flat-head screwdriver at this location.


You'll want a work light of some kind. You're trying to slot it into the clamp screw here.


Once loosened, pull the tube towards you and set aside.


Now you have a clear view of the throttle body.




You can push the top of the butterfly valve blade to rotate ~90 deg.


Use throttle body cleaner.


Spray the cleaner on all exposed areas, then wipe with paper towel or shop rag. Rotate the blade, spray more cleaner inside on metal parts and clean this as well. Get a new rag and repeat the process for good measure.


Clean throttle body (and ripped glove).




Now put the throttle body tube/resonator back on and secure both hose clamps the same way you loosened them. Replace engine cover.

Turn on the car and let idle for a few minutes to burn off any of the cleaner that made its way into the intake manifold. You may notice a bit of a stutter at first, but this is just the excess cleaner burning off.

You may or may not notice any measurable difference in throttle response, but this is good for routine maintenance if you're outside of warranty.