Hi I have two questions.


The last time I cleaned my throttle body on my 850 R was about 3 years ago. During then and now I forgot what kind of spray I need to clean the throttle body with. I remember being told that I can't user carb spray. What type of cleaner spray do I use?

Secondly will I notice a performance increase?

Last, I noticed last time that a lot of the hoses had oil crude in them. Do I have to clean them? And if so which ones?

Thanx
Sandro
seminara@enteract.com

If it's been 3 years, be prepared for a cleaning. I personally use this stuff called GM Top Engine Cleaner, which has recently been changed in name to GM Kleens. This stuff is O2 sensor friendly, and is about the best throttle body cleaner I have found. It's tough on varnishes and what not, and gentle on seals/gaskets, which not many throttle body cleaners can say. I buy mine at a GAP (General Auto Parts, not the clothing place) in town.

I usually disconnect everything, then clean out the throttle body with the cleaner a rag and a tooth brush. Then I spray loads of this stuff into the intercooler, into the piping, and into the throttle body with the engine running. Then, when you've sprayed it into the tb with the engine running, as per directions, shut the engine down right away. Then wait for a bit, something like 20 minutes, which allows the cleaner to soak into the really gunked on stuff in there. Then start the car up (which should take noticeably more cranking, as well as more visible exhaust).

It is also a very good idea to change the engine oil, including that in the oil cooler, no more than a week a later. The solvents are pretty strong, and will definetly get into the engine oil. It's best to get it out right after a little drive after cleaning out the TB.

If you are going to do this, go with something like the GM brand stuff (if you don't have a parts store that sells it, try buying it from a GM dealership). Also, try to leave about 2 hours for the entire process. That way, you'll spend about 20-30 minutes on cleaning it out. Then go for a 20 minute drive or so, then change or oil and filter, making sure to do the oil cooler as well, so make sure you have an extra quart/litre.

BTW, I don't know if you remember me, as I am definetly not a regular on this board ever since I bought a Maxima, but we were like the AMSOIL guys for a while.

I bought some stuff at the VOlvo dealer that they used, made by 3M. I sprayed the TB and sprayed/wiped the inside of the connecting hoses. Then I sprayed the inside of the engine through the TB. When I was all done my car started making a high pitch whistle. After 20 miles of driving it was still there. I noticed that there is a hole inside the engine right after the TB. Where does that hose go to?. At this point the only reason I could think why the high pitch noise was happening because of me spraying in to the engine through the TB and it drained into the hole. I took some desperate means and pored some engine oil down that hole (1/2 cup) and it cleared up. Did that 3M TB cleaner Fluid go into the engine oil? Did I do something bad, what should I do?

Thank You
Sandro Seminara

"I noticed that there is a hole inside the engine right after the TB."

What hole? Do you have a pic? Do you have the Haynes manual? If you do, find a pic of it and refer it to me so that I can look it up. If you don't, try to get me a pic.

I have no idea what part you are referring to at this time.

Sin- I am considering getting a '02 or '03 Max SE(6sp) since it will be the last year b/4 they change for MY'04 with a new style. If not I'll go back to Acura, for the TL-Type S. BTW, i'm keeping my 854 for the Mrs though! IMO, the newer S70/60s are not "true" volvos-in the sense of the 850s; but I might change my mind after the V70R comes back. By the time i'm ready for that, it will be 2005-2006(by then the kinks will be worked out). thanks, BD

I'm a poor student so I bought a 98' SE 5 spd last January. I actually could have afforded a new Altima, but insurance would've killed me. Plus, to be honest, I'm not a big fan of the styling of the newest Maximas. I prefer the styling of my car. Plus, my generation is smaller and lighter (only about 3000 lbs, compared to a 3600 850).

There is a board called maxima.org. It's just like this one, but there is MUCH more emphasis on performance. There are multiple turbocharged 385 hp and 365 ft lbs at the wheel, maximas (that's around 450 at the engine!!!), and these kits have only been around for a couple months. There are MANY supercharged Maximas with about 100hp less. Lots of guys running aftermarket engine management systems, lots more aftermarket performance availability (3 companies are competing to offer exhausts all focusing on different selling points), much greater availability of 5 spds, guys way more into sound upgrades, etc, etc. I actually found it through a Brickboarder named Mike H. who has a C70. We were talking about AMSOIL and oil analysis, and he invited me to the board to join a thread regarding oil analysis back before I even had to get rid of my 850T.

Another big thing you'll notice is that there are WAY fewer problems with the Maxima than with the modern FWD Volvos. Reliability wise, there is no comparison between the two cars.

BTW, if you are looking at getting a Maxima, I highly recommend you try to find an older new one that was made in Japan, or even buy used over buying the newest US assembled ones. The newest US ones are having WAY MORE problems.

Sandro

I am unfamiliar with the 95 850 throttle body materials, but from what I have read on both message boards and carb cleaner cans you should use a "throttle body cleaner". From what I remember there is some sort of film, a necessary film, on the plate. The carb cleaner may remove it. I am looking at acan of Gumout carb cleaner right now and it states that you should really use a throttle body air intake cleaner if it is a fuel injected engine.

Performance may improve in the sense that your idle may smooth out with the removal of any gunk around the plate. That gunk can tend to keep the throttle plate open slightly more than it should.

I'm sure as the others have said that a carb cleaner probably won't hurt anything but why not use a product made for the job? It probably costs the same.

Miker

carb cleaner is fine as long as you get the 02 friendly kind....the good stuff!!
regards

I used carb cleaner, I forget what kind but no problems should result from using any old cleaner off the local parts store shelf. I can't imagine that volvo engines would be that picky.