Throttle body cleaning.
Years of sticky grime met one determined weirdo, a can of cleaner, and the deeply satisfying joy of helping the turbo wagon breathe a little easier.
The satisfying cleaning episode.
This repair was simple, not messy, weirdly satisfying, and exactly the kind of small victory this project runs on.
Why this repair matters
Supplies & tools
Cleaning the breathing hole.
Let the engine cool.
Always start with a cool engine unless you enjoy barbecued arms.
Remove the intake duct.
Loosen the clamp and expose the throttle body opening.
Inspect the grime.
The buildup was impressively not so gross.
Spray cleaner onto a rag.
Wipe carefully instead of soaking everything like a sprinkler.
Clean around the throttle plate.
Sticky buildup likes hiding around the edges.
Reassemble and celebrate.
Cleaner airflow, slightly better mood, one more driveway win.
Grime archaeology.
Small fix. Big morale.
The wagon gets cleaner airflow, I get a confidence boost, and the project keeps moving forward.