I have a 98 F-150 with a 4.6. I was planning on cleaning the throttle body this weekend. However, I noticed that their was sticker on the throttle body that said not to clean the throttle body with any type of cleaner due to the protective lining in the throttle body. Is their anything that I can clean the TB with that won't damage it? I have some seen some of the post where people have used Sea foam to clean the intakes that have a lot of carbon build up. Is this stuff any good?

Thanks for any input.

 

My 1992 Aerostar with the 3.0 V-6 stated the same thing. However, I just used GUMOUT Carb/Throttle body cleaner on it with no issues. I bought the van new in March of 1993 with 7 miles on it and sold it in February 2004 with 247,000 trouble free miles on it. Last I heard, it's still running the roads of North Carolina.

 

Have you ever used the "Sea Foam" cleaner in your intake? I just wondered how well it worked.

 

Use it? Yes, I tried it one time on my 1988 Ranger 2.9L V-6. Wasn't really impressed with the outcome. Some people rave by it. I personally didn't see what was so great about it, especially for the price. I've used the GUMOUT for years and still use it.

 

Is the gumout safe to use on all the sensors? I didn't know if it was Ok to clean your Mass Air Flow sensor or you IAC valve.

Thanks.

 

Yep, It's sensor safe. I've used it on evey one of the vehicles I have owned over the years. I've never had an issue with any sensors in any of my vehicles. My "SENSOR'ized" vehicle list is as follows:.

1979 Fairmont 5.0L V-8 (Bought New, Sold in 1983)
1983 Ranger 2.0L I-4 (Bought New, Traded-In in 1988)
1985 Mid-Sized LTD 3.8L V-6 (Bought New, Traded-In in 1992)
1988 Ranger 2.9L V-6 (Bought New, Sold in 2000) Had O2 sensor die because Dealer's mechanic cracked it when installing new clutch in 1998
1992 Aerostar 3.0L V-6 (Bought New, Sold in 2004)
1994 Sable 3.8L V-6 (Bought New, Sold in 2002) Had the DPFE fail at about 127,000 miles.
1995 Mustang 3.8L V-6 (Bought New, Traded-In in 2000)
1997 Explorer Sport 4.0L SOHC V-6 (Bought New, Sold in 2002)
2000 Mustang 3.8L V-6 (Bought New, Sold in 2003)
2001 Explorer Sport 4.0 4.0L SOHC V-6 (Bought New, Traded-In in 2004)
2000 Taurus 3.0L DOHC V-6 (Bought used in 2002) DPFE just died the other day at 78,000 miles setting the famous P0401 code.
2004 Freeestar Limited 4.2L V-6 (Bought New)

I clean my MAF sensors with Alcohol and Q-Tips.

 

Thanks for your help on this. One more question. I'm getting the notorious P0401 code on my 98 F-150. However, I've pulled a vacuum on my DPFE with the switch on and got a voltage reading within specs (around 4.00 volts). My next step was to check the port on the throttle body where the EGR connects to make sure it is not clogged. Does this sound like the next loggical step?

Also, if I do need to replace the DPFE sensor in the future (or if it still proves to be the problem now), do you usually go with the factory OEM replacement DPFE sensor or an aftermarket brand? I'veread that some of the aftermarket brands don't last as long.

 

I used the OEM units for the DPFE. Your DPFE may still be bad even though it tests OK. The O2 sensor on my Ranger never set a code and also tested OK, but would act up only when the exhaust heated up and not all the time. Most times it would be OK, then it would act up and and the engine would spit, sputter and blow black smoke from raw fuel being dumped into the engine. You can clean up the EGR valve snd make sure that the diaphram isn't cracked by pulling a vaccum and making sure it hold it.