On a 2001 3.2 TL, we've been having a driveability issue with the foot throttle. As you apply foot pressure to the throttle, it sticks and then finally releases with the car lurching ahead. Can't see anything mechanical that is obvious. Asked the dealer about it and they say that there is carbon build-up in the carburator. Asked what they do about it and they said they take the carburator off and clean it with carb cleaner. Anyone else experience this problem and what did you do about it????

 

Not a carburetor, but possibly carbon buildup within the throttle body, causing the throttle plate and stick when you press onto the accelerator. You can easily check it by pulling the intake off of the throttle body and open up the plate to see if it sticks. If it does, then you can either clean it yourself or pay a mechanic to do it for you.

Also, I would go to a different dealer if I were you because if the dealer thinks the TL has a carburetor, then the dealer does not know jack.

 

Carburator :doh:

I once worked on a Ranger with a similiar problem. I cleaned out the throttle body and plate and lubricated the throttle cable at the pedal and at the...thing on the engine that the cable moves. I forget what it's called. But anyway, that did the trick.

 

My flubb - sorry - us oldtimers still call that thing that controls the fuel to the engine a carburator. A little more info on the symptoms. If the engine is not running, the pedal does not exibit the sticking like it does if it is running. Ive cleaned the throttle body with cleaner in the past and it seems to help for about 5000 miles and then reverts back to the sticking. Anyone else experience these symptoms and what did you do about it??