Wanting to clean out the throttle body and have never done anything on that part of my truck (98 5.2 4x4) before. I ran a number of searches and looked at the stickied threads and did not find anything comprehensive for the 2nd generation trucks. Can anyone either post a quick guide or at least a few photos of the tb so I can know what I am looking at?

 

Anyone?

Specifically I am looking to find out what should and should not be cleaned. From the other posts I have read the body core should be cleaned but at least some of the sensors? are touchy and should be avoided?

 

I just shoot mine out with carb cleaner. Try and get the black stuff off. I would not go crazy with the stuff though.

 

You don't scrub it down at all? And I assume this is done with the tb off the engine, right?

 

Here's my write-up:


https://dodgeforum.com/m_1193850/tm.htm

 

I added the above link to the DIY section. Thanks for the write-up Ramman18.

 

Thanks for digging that up, I knew someone had to have posted about it somewhere. I will try to do mine tomorrow (both Napa and Checker were out of the gaskets, so I had to order them) and see if I can't dig up a camera to take a few pics.

One thing mentioned in the other thread that was not clear...what is this dielectric grease and where should it go? I assume it is something that would help with waterproofing as well (I am one of those who has the "drive it through a car wash and it runs like crap for hours afterwards" problem)?

 

I responded to the wrong thread. No I don't take it off. Yes I leave the engine off (making a flamethrower out of a 360 does not seem like fun to me). I usually just shoot it out when I reoil my air filter. If you want it really clean you need to take it off. I have not found the need to do that. I have 13 years and 195k miles on it.

 

I had cleaned mine out from the top as well and was surprised how dirty it was underneath when I pulled it. I didn't disconnect my cables from the bracket, I removed the 3 screws holding the bracket to the TB and let it hang.
It's really straight forward once you remove it. I removed all the sensors, sprayed it out and scrubbed it with an old toothbrush. Once dry, I lubed around the throttle blade shaft and spring with WD40.
Dielectric grease is like vaseline, but it's OK for electricals. I brush it on with a brush prior to reassembling things. It doesn't dry out o-rings and makes disconnections easier.
Good luck!