Hey guys I have an 06 Dakota, 4.7. As of late, I've been having strange cold starts. It turns over but seems to strain just a tad or take an extra crank to start. Then the rpm might jump a bit. I cleaned my TB with TB cleaner and a rag but I didn't want to spray it directly in. Should I have? I replaced my TPS and will be replacing the IAC tomorrow and just did my water pump. I was thinking maybe an early warning sign from the starter. Any suggestions?
Brent

 

oh duh! I put IAC on the subject because I wanted to know if the IAC turns out or is pulled straight out.

 

IAC just pulls out IIRC. You can remove the entire TB by just taking out 3 bolts that hold it in. That way you can clean it real good on a bench or something.

 

THanks! It came out but the new one IAC is a PITA is get in. Maybe the Duralast doesn't fit as well?

 

Its an extremely tight fit for the IAC, especially with aftermarket units. Get it in far enough to thread the screws through, let them do the rest of the tightening (just don't strip them).

When my wife had a 2006 Durango with the 4.7, when it hit 80k miles, I tried to replace the guy to see if it would fix her idle issue. With the clamp on it, I had to brace both feet on the tire, and push with my legs as I pulled on it. It slowly, slowly gave way and came out. The new one didn't go in quite as hard, but still wasn't easy.

 

I had it to that point but it wouldn't budge. I'm going to retry today. I put the old one back in bc I was out of time but def give it another go. *shakes head*
THanks!

 

It will be easier if you remove the throttle body...or did ytou do that? Lubricate the O-ring as well.

 

I don't know if I was lucky or what...but, a couple weeks ago I was having some idling issues, so I figured it was time to clean my throttle body and IAC (after 123K miles). Like JKeaton said, I removed the air intake and hoses, unplugged the sensors, and went at the 3 bolts holding it in...came off rather easy I would say. DEFFFF had a ton of build up; at first glance I thought the whole inside was rusted to sh**, but turned out it was just build up. With a can of CRC, some pipe cleaners, cotton swabs, a dremmel with brush attachments, etc...she came out clean as a whistle, like almost new! After it was all back together she really hasn't had any idling issues at all....

but still not running as smooth as I would like. I know that she is due for some new spark plugs (I know I know Champion Copper all the way), but I'm also thinking that I should clean my fuel injectors as well.

I know that there are a lot of experienced car guys here that feel most of the pour in "cleaners" and such would work just as good if you flushed them down the toilet, but I'm at a slight loss here...

so, other than adding injector cleaner to my gas tank, is there a way to service them as well, short of replacing them?

 

one of my co-workers took his car to jiffy lube and had the bottle of cleaner hooked to his fuel rail, he says his car is idling smooth now.

When I first bought my dakota I felt it idled rough so I did the cleaning and plug change with no results, so I took it to the dealer. The service writer and tech listened to it idle and informed me that all 4.7's idle like that. So I haven't worried about it since.

 

When you say he had a bottle of cleaner hooked to his fuel rail, are you talking about "SeaFoam"?

I've seen a videos of people using that kind of stuff, guess it's fun making PLUMES of smoke behind your car without having to do a burn out (which is also fun) ..... And if it ends up cleaning a bunch of crap out of your system, well ... Bonus!