What to use when cleaning the throttle plate

[94 Van Guy]

I am going to install a new Coolant Temperature Sensor in the morning. I want to clean the throttle plate at the same time. What would be the best product to use, I have read some types of cleaners are better than others, but can't find them when I search.

All input will be appreciated, Keith

[Phantom]

Gumout carb /fuel injection cleaner or similiar product

[astroturf]

Here you go Keith,

Just did mine about a week ago.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/how-to-use- ... spray.html

Hope it helps, Jim

[Phantom]

Seafoam is also a good product , however depending on how dirty your system is Seafoam cost like 8-9 dollars a can and Gumout jet spay is about 2-3 dollars a can , If it really looks bad go with the Seafoam otherwise Gumout will do just fine and save you money it literally washes off deposits if they are not caked and hard

[94 Van Guy]

This is the part I was thinking of cleaning, but after reading the How-To from Sea Foam, I wonder if more needs to be cleaned. 184K, maybe it needs more than just a little spray? I just have never had much experience with this kind of thing.

I have only owned the van about 1000 miles, 7 months, and know nothing about the history of the van. I will say, I believe the van has been well cared for. The engine oil is clean 1000 miles after I changed the oil when I first got the van.

What do you think now that you see the pic?

Keith

[Leeann_93]

I'd clean the throttle plate and run Seafoam through a vac line. It really works....the Bravada smoked like an SOB after I did that and ran so much smoother it was amazing.

In fact, it's time to to it again...

[Phantom]

I think I would agree with Leeann , and it has a build up , maybe if your wallet can part with the money buy both and try the Gumout on the blades and see if it can clean it and use the Seafoam as Leeann suggests , through a vacuum line , I have not tried that , but it would go through passages that spraying outside would not reach as well , I may have to try that

[rev_les]

I like to wait until some neighbors are having a "running too late" outdoor party, to do my seafoaming.....hook it up to a vacuum line, and drive around the block until the can's gone!

[94 Van Guy]

Here you go Keith,

Just did mine about a week ago.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/how-to-use- ... spray.html

Hope it helps, Jim

Thanks Jim for the link. When you did yours, did you use the 30" tube and spray for the 30 Seconds as their site would have you do?
If I do use the 30" tube, I don't see how the plate would get clean. So maybe both products would be needed.

Keith

[astroturf]

Here you go Keith,

Just did mine about a week ago.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/how-to-use- ... spray.html

Hope it helps, Jim

Thanks Jim for the link. When you did yours, did you use the 30" tube and spray for the 30 Seconds as their site would have you do?
If I do use the 30" tube, I don't see how the plate would get clean. So maybe both products would be needed.

Keith

Keith,

First time for the spray. I did not use their tube. I pulled the airbox and sprayed directly on the throttle plate while the engine was running an increased idle. The can lasted a good 15 to 20 minutes. It will smoke...

You could use an acid brush such as Lumpy has just recently done.

Good Luck, Jim

[94 Van Guy]

Seafoam is also a good product , however depending on how dirty your system is Seafoam cost like 8-9 dollars a can and Gumout jet spay is about 2-3 dollars a can , If it really looks bad go with the Seafoam otherwise Gumout will do just fine and save you money it literally washes off deposits if they are not caked and hard

Thanks Phantom,
the spot on the throttle plate is where I lightly touched it to check if it was hard or not, it was soft. Maybe I should use the Gumout to clean the plate and Sea Foam for the internal build-up that must be there.

[rev_les]

Seafoam is also a good product , however depending on how dirty your system is Seafoam cost like 8-9 dollars a can and Gumout jet spay is about 2-3 dollars a can , If it really looks bad go with the Seafoam otherwise Gumout will do just fine and save you money it literally washes off deposits if they are not caked and hard

Thanks Phantom,
the spot on the throttle plate is where I lightly touched it to check if it was hard or not, it was soft. Maybe I should use the Gumout to clean the plate and Sea Foam for the internal build-up that must be there.

Not a bad plan at all , doing it that way Keith.

[Phantom]

You are welcome , I would try that , it is hard to know what build up is inside passages , I add Lucas fuel treatment at almost every tank full to try to prevent build up from occurring , tail pipe inside is clean , no deposits there hoping to keep it that way .
Good Luck ,, maybe try rev_les idea . driving around the block at party ROFLOL

[94 Van Guy]

I'd clean the throttle plate and run Seafoam through a vac line. It really works....the Bravada smoked like an SOB after I did that and ran so much smoother it was amazing.

In fact, it's time to to it again...

Thanks Leeann for the tip,

The Sea Foam ad says to use the spray for 30 seconds while pulling the tube out. Then to drive the auto aggressive for 5 miles or until the exhaust clears up. If I spray the can into a vacuum hose instead of using the tube they supply, will I hook up a hose and spray while driving?

As I am typing these responses, seems I remember my dad did something similar when I was a kid. Just down the ole carb. I remember the smoke, maybe I should go some where that won't disturb the neighbors. We, the wife and I are considered the kids on the block.

PS Oh, almost forgot, how often should one do this type of treatment?

[94 Van Guy]

I like to wait until some neighbors are having a "running too late" outdoor party, to do my seafoaming.....hook it up to a vacuum line, and drive around the block until the can's gone!

That's two for the vacuum line. Is there one vacuum line better than the other? The Sea Foam ad makes reference to some vacuum lines in the Vortec Engine, don't go into all areas so the liquid would not make it into all of the cylinders. Is this something I need to concern myself with or just go for it?

Keith

[rev_les]

Definitely take it somewhere else! I have some butt-head neighbors, so I don't care, but if your neighbors are all respectful....don't be the horses rear!
You can leave it parked, and just rev it like you're driving it, we always took them to the back of the parking lot to de-carbonize them when I worked for GM.

[Leeann_93]

I've never used their spray can, only the liquid, which has different directions (no driving). So I'm not sure on the spray stuff...

I last did it 2 years ago when I was getting the Bravada registered. I guess it really depends on how the van is running, to be honest.

[Lumpy]

Seafoam...

I couldn't find the aerosol spray. So I just poured a bit on top of the TBI. The
throttle plates held it like a soup bowl. Then with my little stiff brush, I swished
it around and scrubbed a bit anywhere there was dirt/carbon. The gunk came
right off. Smoked a lot, as all the YouTubes show. Ran GREAT afterwords.

I figure the can in the tank gets to things like the injectors that the aerosol,
or my hand pour method, can't get to. The can in the tank made my 89 run
smooth. Then the pour/brush around the top made it run like a well
oiled sewing machine on rubber cushions.


Lump

[rev_les]

Seafoam...

I couldn't find the aerosol spray. So I just poured a bit on top of the TBI. The
throttle plates held it like a soup bowl. Then with my little stiff brush, I swished
it around and scrubbed a bit anywhere there was dirt/carbon. The gunk came
right off. Smoked a lot, as all the YouTubes show. Ran GREAT afterwords.

I figure the can in the tank gets to things like the injectors that the aerosol,
or my hand pour method, can't get to. The can in the tank made my 89 run
smooth. Then the pour/brush around the top made it run like a well
oiled sewing machine on rubber cushions.


Lump

Nothing like a well oiled sewing machine
I love the smoke part, I'm gonna seafoam the safari this weekend

[94 Van Guy]

Seafoam...

I couldn't find the aerosol spray. So I just poured a bit on top of the TBI. The
throttle plates held it like a soup bowl. Then with my little stiff brush, I swished
it around and scrubbed a bit anywhere there was dirt/carbon. The gunk came
right off. Smoked a lot, as all the YouTubes show. Ran GREAT afterwords.

I figure the can in the tank gets to things like the injectors that the aerosol,
or my hand pour method, can't get to. The can in the tank made my 89 run
smooth. Then the pour/brush around the top made it run like a well
oiled sewing machine on rubber cushions.


Lump

Thanks for the info Lumpy,

with my engine, the TB is laying flat so I can't use it for a container to hold the good stuff. With a combination of different styles, I will get the job done.

There has been a lot of good information given so I'm sure I can succeed. It's off to the parts store now for some goood stuff.

Thanks to all that have contributed, Keith