Throttle Body cleaning on '07 RDX
#1
Throttle Body cleaning on '07 RDX
My wife's '07 RDX has about 27K miles on it. During a recent service at the dealer i was told that one item needed (based on mileage) is to clean the throttle body. I thought new cars use a fuel rail with direct multi-port fuel injection, and that the "throttle-body" is old fuel injection technology used to replace a carb. On my '02 CL-S, I had a fuel system cleaning that included fuel rail and fuel injector cleaning, but nothing was ever mentioned about a throttle-body. Where is the throttle-cody on a direct-injection system?
#2
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It's got a throttle body, it's the metal bit where the intake manifold (either aluminum or black plastic) meets up with the black plastic intake tube.
Multi-port FI or the newer Direct Injection systems still need something to control the volume of air making it's way into the combustion chamber. Throttle body FI systems are just simpler/different as far as when the fuel is added to the air (at the TB), multi-point really doesn't work all that differently, it's just better, more precise.
Even the engines that have variable valve-timing systems which in theory could be made to work without a main throttle body, or individual TBs, they still always run them. It's a simple, reliable fallback.
Multi-port FI or the newer Direct Injection systems still need something to control the volume of air making it's way into the combustion chamber. Throttle body FI systems are just simpler/different as far as when the fuel is added to the air (at the TB), multi-point really doesn't work all that differently, it's just better, more precise.
Even the engines that have variable valve-timing systems which in theory could be made to work without a main throttle body, or individual TBs, they still always run them. It's a simple, reliable fallback.
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Dan,
I would be cautious about accepting a dealer's "recommendations". While in some cars periodic cleaning of the throttle butterfly is beneficial, I don't think Acura recommends it. Look in the service schedule for your RDX, or, if it has a Maintenance Minder (in-car reminder), ask the dealer when the service code will typically show up. I bet it won't.
You have to be careful with Honda throttle bodies anyway because the throttle position sensors are riveted on, and a cleaner may damage them... and the throttle body assembly ain't cheap.:run:
I would be cautious about accepting a dealer's "recommendations". While in some cars periodic cleaning of the throttle butterfly is beneficial, I don't think Acura recommends it. Look in the service schedule for your RDX, or, if it has a Maintenance Minder (in-car reminder), ask the dealer when the service code will typically show up. I bet it won't.
You have to be careful with Honda throttle bodies anyway because the throttle position sensors are riveted on, and a cleaner may damage them... and the throttle body assembly ain't cheap.:run:
#4
Thanks Carbuff. I didn't accept the dealers "urgent" request to make be have the throttle body cleaned. The RDX only has 25K miles on it and this just didn't seem right. I had a fuel system cleaning done on my '02 CL-S, but I did this when it had 60K miles on it. At that time the dealer didn't say anything about a throttle body and simply mentioned that they would clean the fuel injectors, the line and replace the fuel filters. This seemed more in-line with a fuel system cleaning as I know injectors can get clogged and the varnish from the gas builds up.
#5
yeah, lots of the newer honda's have TPS's that crap out later on in life. they aren't that hard to replace, but I was lazy and had my gf take it in.. $500 buck repair job there..lol,
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If you "run it through the gears" to redline every once in a while, and use a high-detergent Top-Tier gas, you'll never have a problem with dribbling/dirty injectors. The intense duty cycle makes them clean themselves!
On our Acura I cleaned the throttle body at 115K miles, only because I thought I could feel it sticking off idle. That fixed it. No problems since (at 145K miles)
On our Acura I cleaned the throttle body at 115K miles, only because I thought I could feel it sticking off idle. That fixed it. No problems since (at 145K miles)
#7
Sorry For The Belated Response
This thread is a year old, but I only recently became interested in the RDX.
Dan, yes the t/b does get dirty in a couple of places due to the fact that the engine vents out the top via the valve cover and into the intake tract. The gases pulled out of the top of the engine include oil vapor. This makes a mess behind the throttle blade and can plug the idle air bypass. (rough idle results)
So yes it needs to be cleaned. Easy to diy if you are in to that, if not, let a trusted mechanic clean it.
I say trusted because you will never know if they did not do as promised, until it starts to idle rough (~100k mi.) unless you pull the snorkle and look at the back of the throttle blade.
So a year later and maybe another 10k mi., are you and your wife still happy with the RDX?
Dan, yes the t/b does get dirty in a couple of places due to the fact that the engine vents out the top via the valve cover and into the intake tract. The gases pulled out of the top of the engine include oil vapor. This makes a mess behind the throttle blade and can plug the idle air bypass. (rough idle results)
So yes it needs to be cleaned. Easy to diy if you are in to that, if not, let a trusted mechanic clean it.
I say trusted because you will never know if they did not do as promised, until it starts to idle rough (~100k mi.) unless you pull the snorkle and look at the back of the throttle blade.
So a year later and maybe another 10k mi., are you and your wife still happy with the RDX?