Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | AF 350Z | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
| Latest | 0 Rplys |
|
Show Printable Version | Email this Page | Subscribe to this Thread |
|
Thread Tools |
03-06-2011, 07:20 AM | #1 | |
AF Regular
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 217
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
What is the right way to fix a sticky gas pedal? It happens after the car has been sitting for a few hours. Then it feels like I have to press extra hard to get the car to go which then I end up pushing too hard and having the car surge forward or reverse. But once I break it loose, it's good until I park and leave the car for a while.
BTW, it's a 2004 Impals LS |
|
03-06-2011, 07:41 AM | #2 | |
Problem?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,247
Thanks: 63
Thanked 113 Times in 93 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
This is normally caused by build up in the bore of the throttle body. After sitting for a while the butterflies stick in place. A little TB cleaner or rubbing alcohol and an old toothbrush works well to clean it up.
|
|
03-06-2011, 01:36 PM | #3 | ||
AF Fanatic
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EVERETT, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,898
Thanks: 8
Thanked 432 Times in 431 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Quote:
working the throttle by hand you should not feel any sticking. |
||
07-06-2011, 08:18 PM | #4 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lodi, Wisconsin
Posts: 11
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
I had the same problem on my car, I took the hose off the air cleaner box, unbolted the throttle body and found the problem is on the back side of the throttle body butterfly being caked with black carbon deposits. I cleaned this all up with some carb cleaner and put it back together. No more sticky pedal after that.
|
|
07-06-2011, 08:27 PM | #5 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: garner, North Carolina
Posts: 3,579
Thanks: 86
Thanked 100 Times in 100 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Aso see Similar Threads, http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=949299
|
|
07-07-2011, 07:21 AM | #6 | ||
AF Fanatic
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EVERETT, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,898
Thanks: 8
Thanked 432 Times in 431 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Quote:
throttle body cleaner is designed to safely remove these deposits of carbon etc.....when CARB CLEANER is used this product over time breaks down the rubber/pastic parts internal of the throttlebody and area of with spillage/overspray ........... Its all yours so ,,,,this is my opinion based on experience , and GM spec's......... good luck . |
||
07-07-2011, 07:33 AM | #7 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: garner, North Carolina
Posts: 3,579
Thanks: 86
Thanked 100 Times in 100 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Carb cleaner is too harsh, and will strip the clear coat protection, and damage seals.
WD40 and a clean micro cloth should be good. |
|
07-07-2011, 11:53 AM | #8 | ||
AF Fanatic
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EVERETT, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,898
Thanks: 8
Thanked 432 Times in 431 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Quote:
If it has been 50-100,ooomi on it I think you will need the throttle body cleaner solvent.. |
||
07-14-2011, 09:02 PM | #9 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lodi, Wisconsin
Posts: 11
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
I used Zep carb cleaner and personally never had any problems going forward, and that was 30,000 miles ago. I'm not saying that using throttle body cleaner is wrong, but I've had just as much success with Zep carb cleaner on many on the vehicles I've serviced and never had any problems arise. Just because GM says its not recommended doesn't mean that its entirely forbidden. An additional note is that Ford products are more commonly found to have protective coatings on their throttle bodies not GM.
|
|
07-15-2011, 08:16 AM | #10 | ||
AF Fanatic
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EVERETT, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,898
Thanks: 8
Thanked 432 Times in 431 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Quote:
When the manufacturer recommends certain type products for repair/clean this is usually from field testing and feedback from the dealership/onsite fleet repair engineering. when mechanics repair vehicles in the businees of their work tracking is usually of no concern. when warranttee issues arise with the manufacturer and tracking repairs is done and what products were used this then is why these spec's are created. my experience with auto repairs for 4 decades has shown GM to be correct with the recommending of only using throttle body cleaner for their throttlebody components . since I have witnessed the carb cleaner destroying rubber hoses rated for fuel use ...also the rubber O rings and seals used. some intake components are also rubber.. the IAC is a motor ..if the carb cleaner gets into it it will be damaged same for the TPS... |
||
07-17-2011, 01:34 AM | #11 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lodi, Wisconsin
Posts: 11
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Which is very rare to say the least, this is a GM product not a Ford product, the use of throttle body cleaner vs carb cleaner is irrelevant unless you can provide a specific TSB or service bulletin stating that it is NOT recommended.
My final post, "the solution is entirely up to you." Last edited by Master X; 04-12-2012 at 07:15 PM. |
|
07-17-2011, 08:14 AM | #12 | ||
AF Fanatic
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EVERETT, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,898
Thanks: 8
Thanked 432 Times in 431 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
Quote:
I guess you do not take the time and/or cost to review the GM shop manual. |
||
07-17-2011, 08:57 AM | #13 | |
AF Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mechanicsville, Maryland
Posts: 256
Thanks: 1
Thanked 47 Times in 44 Posts
|
Re: Gas pedal sticks after car sits for a while
I have used BG brand throttle body cleaner and 2+2 Gumcutter cleaners with no problems. I mostly use the throttle body cleaner. A top engine cleaner will also work. Lay a rag uder the throttle body to catch the drippings. Just spray, toothbrush and then wipe with a rag. Nothing will be harmed if you keep wiping with a rag. It also helps you to check your progress by wiping the mess off. Repeat until clean. This is easier if you can clamp or hold the throttle plate open. I have done hundreds and never had a problem. If you have a 3.8L you will need to remove the throttle inlet screen very carefully (held in with a large snap ring), use a pick to get it out being careful not to tear it. You will also need to remove the Mass-Air-Flow sensor to access the throttle plate. It is always a good idea to remove the IAC Valve and clean it's pintle and bore. If you have a 3.4L just hold the throttle open and spray, brush, wipe until clean. Remove and clean the IAC also if possible. Note: Sometimes the IAC screws are very tight. Do not force them loose on either engine or they will break. Work them back and forth slowly or apply some light heat with a small handheld butane torch around the screw to help melt the Loctite and the screws will come out. Be careful to not melt any parts and remove the IAC before spraying any combustibles into the throttle body that may ignite. Also, DO NOT use a wire brush or the throttle plate coating can be damaged.
|
|
|
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
|
|