From the symptoms I am seeing, and others advice, I believe that I need to clean the throttle body of my brick. I looked at the FAQ section to get the proper way to go about it, but it seems very delicate and intimidating; making it sound like the parts are very brittle (especially on older models) and now I'm nervous to get started. I'm hoping that someone will let me know that it's not as difficult as it sounds... any advice or tips?

No need to remove the switch just keep that end up so the carb cleaner does not run down into that area. A toothbrush works great, be sure to do the edges of the the throttle plate. Pry the release loose on the "ball joint" of the linkage and then pop it off with a screwdriver before removing the throttle body.

Randy

have a gasket on hand along with a suitable cleaner.dont mess with throttle body adjustment and if possible remove the TPS so it doesn't get wet inside,it will have to be re adjusted if taken off.the throttle plate should be checked though for proper adjustment.and watch any hard plastic of rubber pieces in the area you're working,they get brittle and break.
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83 242 DL -120k, 92-965-167k, 94-965-188k, 83-242 GLT-Gone, but not forgotten,83-245GLT-1'st one -the 1'st 3 currently on the road

Thank you. I'm nervous that I'm going to break one of these plastic parts and I'm just not sure what I'm doing, but is there a better way than a trail by fire? Thanks again.

It is a very simple process. I would go ahead and change the thumb screw o-ring too. One thing you can do if you are 'really' tentative is to go to the wrecking yard and practice on a "cadaver". While you're there pick up a few odds and ends that you need. Then you can work on the 'live patient' with confidence.

740man

As said, it's a simple process. Make sure you get clean the two (I think) very tiny vacuum passages that might be obscured by the nasty crud you'll find in there.

bl 200K 740

I cleaned my TB in my 740 recently. Never attempted anything like that before and it went smoothly, so go for it.

A couple of notes. I was told that I should use "throttle plate" cleaner rather than carburater cleaner because there is a varnish put on the TB at the factory that you DON'T want to remove and carb cleaner would. Throttle plate cleaner was at the local auto parts store and only cost a little more so I used that and it removed the brown gunk just fine.

When you buy your new TB gasket, get a flame trap kit too. It's little easier to reach around with the Flame trap hoses with the TB out. Do be gentle removing those hoses because I did find the narrow one to be brittle and broke mine (taped for now).

Have fun,
Andy '91 745-Regina 184K mi, '89 244 134K mi

1. work on it when its warm not very cold, plastic is much more brittle when cold (DONT do it on a hot engine...you could burn yourself!)

2. get a cn a aerosol cleaner with a 'straw' that fits in the spray bit...you can get the strat onto those two tiny pesky holes and blast the cleaner through them blowing all the crud out!

3. if you can also clean as much of the inside of the manafold as you can reach (again spray cleaner is good!)

4. go steady, dont rush, work on warm plastic, use a new gasket (costs pennies) and enjoy!
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Old Volvo's never die..they just get more attention!