How do I Clean a Butterfly Valve on a 2003 Toyota Prius?
Cleaning the butterfly valve is an important part of the car maintenance. The valve feeds air into the intake chamber when the throttle is opened. The harder you press the gas petal, the more the butterfly valve opens. After years of use the valve can become clogged by dirt and grime, decreasing mileage and performance. It is recommended to clean the butterfly valve every 30,000 miles or so.
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Things You'll Need
- Body safe throttle cleaner
- Philips-head screwdriver
- Lint-free rags
- Toothbrush
Instructions
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1
Open the hood of the car and prop it open.
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2
Unscrew the hose clamp from the intake hose. This hose will be attached to the air filter housing and the throttle body. Follow the hose from the air filter to the throttle. The clamp will be attached close to the throttle body.
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3
Remove the hose from the throttle body. This will expose the butterfly valve.
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4
Spray the throttle cleaner inside the open valve and wipe it clean. Repeat this as often as is needed to clean the valve; it might need several applications.
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5
Clean deeper into the throttle body using the toothbrush, past and around the butterfly valve. Spray a little cleaner on the brush before using it and after to rinse any dirt off.
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6
Wipe the throttle and butterfly valve off with a fresh lint-free cloth. Reattach the intake hose and the hose clamp.
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7
Start the engine to let any excess cleaner clear. You may see smoke come from the exhaust; this is normal and should go away after a few minutes.
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