How to Clean a Throttle Body & Change Power Steering Fluid

[cmoorberg]

Hey all.

 

I just got back from the Ford dealership where I got my 2006, 2.3L, 5 spd, 89K mile Fusion S serviced. They had a whole list of things they say needs work (note that I only get it serviced there because the 100K drivetrain warranty requires me to take it to a mechanic for service).

 

They said the throttle body is dirty and needs cleaning. Anyone ever done this themselves on a 2.3. I didn't see any other threads on the topic. They also said my power steering fluid is dirty and needs to be flushed/replaced. Has anyone every done that themselves? I'm kinda wondering if they were just trying to make a boat payment and were looking for work to start a Monday off.

 

Thanks

[akirby]

Hey all.

 

I just got back from the Ford dealership where I got my 2006, 2.3L, 5 spd, 89K mile Fusion S serviced. They had a whole list of things they say needs work (note that I only get it serviced there because the 100K drivetrain warranty requires me to take it to a mechanic for service).

 

They said the throttle body is dirty and needs cleaning. Anyone ever done this themselves on a 2.3. I didn't see any other threads on the topic. They also said my power steering fluid is dirty and needs to be flushed/replaced. Has anyone every done that themselves? I'm kinda wondering if they were just trying to make a boat payment and were looking for work to start a Monday off.

 

Thanks

 

Looking for work. Unless you're having driveability issues you don't need to worry about the throttle body. And you can easily change the power steering fluid - just use a turkey baster and suck out the old fluid and replace it with fresh fluid.

[fusionmanor]

Thats what I do akirby...Ha Ha I thought I was the only one that changed those things. Keep your Brake fluid,P/S,clean and they never fail. But if the fluids are already trashed (black) it can cause seals to fail with the new fluid. Many of the T/Bs are coated with something and normal cleaners will strip off the coatings I just open the plate and wipe it down with a paper towel and or a old toothbrush........high tec

[tim_ballz]

Take the throttle body off and hose it down with throttle body cleaner or carb clean. Note dont hit the o-ring on the back of the throttle body w the cleaners or you may create a vaccume leak when u reassemble it, If your going to use a turkey baster to remove all you p/s fluid, I would go get a gal jug (about $20 at my dealership) suck as much fluid out as poss, top off the fluid and allow the car to run for 5 min w the steering wheel turned all the way to one side. And repeat this with the whole gal. It'll take awhile but it will prob save u 80-100 at the dealership.

Edited September 28, 2011 by tim_ballz

[Dyoct]

They are trying to upsell you, but they are services that will be needed from time to time. I clean my TB with every oil change I do. I spray the cleaner on a shop towel and wipe down the accumulation. The first time I touched the TB on my Fusion was around the 50K mark and it was pretty gummy. I did notice an immediate improvement in performance. Nowadays, it doesn't accumulate as much so it just keeps running normally. As for the PS fluid, best way is to disconnect a line and drain it all. Fill it back up, cycle through then repeat drain and fill. Some dealerships might have the ability to hook up inline and flush like a trans.