So here's a few dumb questions. While I was changing the flame trap, I noticed there is some gunk inside the throttle body of my '97 850 NA.

What's the best way to clean the throttle body? WD40?
I assume this can be done without taking it off the engine?
Can I screw this up?
Is cleaning really necessary anyway - Is the gunk a bad sign?

As always: thanks.

Be sure to check the small vacuum hose fitting on the flame trap housing. Mine was plugged up completely with carbon deposites. Had to drill it out.

There is an article on the bay 13 site about cleaning your egr you should look at it.

Use carb cleaner to remove the gunk. WD 4o is a vegetable oil based lubricant which may combine with the gunk to make it worse. You want to disolve and wipe away the gunk. Pull the throttle cable line attached to the drum to open and close the throttle plate. Use a clean rag to wipe of the gunk. If you leave the gunk on your throttle it will cause the throttle plate to stick (not a good thing). It is difficult to screw this job up.

Dan

I bought some cleaner specially made for the throttle body at the autoparts store. I complete removed the throttle body for cleaning and that seemed to work well for me--only four bolts holding it on.

Isn't there a gasket there as well? I was planning on cleaning mine in a few days for the first time and I'm pretty sure I saw a listing for a throttle body gasket. Can you reuse the old one?

Haynes manual says to use a new gasket...

Better to always replace the gasket but I just reused the old one without problems. You can also smear some Permatex over the old gasket and that should work the same as replacing the gasket.