Where are the throttle bodies and how to clean - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

jcdavis · 13th January 2008, 00:54

I have done a search and I cannot find anything showing where the throttle bodies are or how to clean them. I have read about people cleaning them and getting good results, but they don't tell how they did it. Any help would be appreciated.

Jeff

E55AMG2 · 13th January 2008, 01:00

Under the intake plenum, they've got runners bolted to each one, and dont bother...you're wasting your time.

Jasoncrx · 13th January 2008, 01:13

Try cleaning your MAF's, thats probably what they are referring to.

Panos · 13th January 2008, 01:31

If you have less than 60k miles on the car and you use good fuel, than dont bother cleaning the throttle bodies. I cleaned mine on my 540i around 90k miles and it was a bit dirty on the outside of the throttle plate. DO NOT DROP ANYTHING PAST THE THROTTLE BODY. Otherwise you will be disassembling the engine to get it.

rneedham1979 · 13th January 2008, 01:47

you can clean your throttle bodies. I just did because as everyone knows these cars have a weak crankcase ventilation so it allows oil to build up in the intake plenum and on the throttle bodies. Just remove the upper intake plenum and the velocity stacks. once you remove them just spray the throttle blades down. just keep in mind that you may have a slightly difficult time starting the car once its all back together.

Hope this helps

Ryan

gsfent · 13th January 2008, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by rneedham1979

you can clean your throttle bodies. I just did because as everyone knows these cars have a weak crankcase ventilation so it allows oil to build up in the intake plenum and on the throttle bodies. Just remove the upper intake plenum and the velocity stacks. once you remove them just spray the throttle blades down. just keep in mind that you may have a slightly difficult time starting the car once its all back together.

Hope this helps
Ryan

I assume you spray with something like carb cleaner. Any reason you cannot spray into a running engine??
Regards,
Jerry

rneedham1979 · 13th January 2008, 19:16

Yes you use a carb or throttle body cleaner. If you start the car with the plenum off you will be running with un-metered air (no maf). You will most likely throw a code and I am pretty sure it will not run very good at all and i do not think yo will be able to keep it running when you spray the blades even by applying throttle. I'm sure it can be done but I didn't and wouldn't bother doing it while it was running.

Ryan

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsfent

I assume you spray with something like carb cleaner. Any reason you cannot spray into a running engine??
Regards,
Jerry

xr4tic · 13th January 2008, 22:08

Be sure to use a cleaner made for Fuel Injected engines.

I've heard that the throttle bodies have a coating on them that normal carb spray can eat away.

If the throttle body is dirty, just imagine how the inside is.

Has anyone tried Seafoam on our cars?

Has anyone tried cleaning out the Oil Separators on our cars?

6spd · 14th January 2008, 01:49

Quote:

Has anyone tried Seafoam on our cars?

Has anyone tried cleaning out the Oil Separators on our cars?

Someone did have a cut view of the oil separators(tornado valve), its just a couple baffles.
Seafoam is used by a couple to help carbon build up(do a search), its basicly Naphtha and a pale oil blend. I have been using Berryman 0116 which is toluene,acetone,methanol,MEK, isopropanol and it has been working great for years.

xr4tic · 14th January 2008, 02:50

interesting, I did a search, found the link with the cutaways

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/sho...74#post1115674

I figured there would be some sort of stainless mesh inside to help trap the oil, but I guess not. I wonder if going to an aftermarket catch can (a proper one, with baffles) would help any.