CRUZPHX

This is embarrassing. I decided to clean my throttle body on my 2008. I removed the snorkel and disconnected the sensors. I started the car and started spraying the tbd cleaner while moving the butterfly valve with my finger.

I flooded the car and it stopped. I waited a few minutes and restarted (which took 3 times). I went back to the tbd to spray more while pushing in the butterfly when wham a flame shot out of the tbd and mildly burned my finger. It's been sitting for 10 minutes and I'm afraid to start it.

Has this ever happened to anyone? I'm be done tbd cleaning before but this is a first.

I hope I didn't f up my car. Any serious thoughts?

CRUZPHX

Now the check engine light is on. I took it for a test drive and seemed to be fine. Engine light is now bothering me.

zeroptzero

Most likely a misfire check engine light code, unless you left a sensor disconnected. Get a code scanner and clear the CEL, if it is a misfire code it shouldn't return once it is cleared as your misfires should be gone. If you don't have a code scanner go to an auto parts store and get it done for free.

CRUZPHX

Thanks I'll try that. Still not sure why a small fireball came out of the throttle body. You all probably think I'm nuts

zeroptzero

kind of normal as you sprayed too much at one time, the cleaner is flammable and you got a back fire with the flame travelling towards the source of the spray. Good thing you didn't hydrolock the engine due to over-spraying. Nothing wrong with cleaning the throttle body and intake but you have to be careful with the amount of fluid you are spraying in there.

AlexSobe614

What this man said. I remember vaguely reading about how little fluid it takes to hydro lock our engines (of course i can't remember the specifics now) but you don't need much homie... If you want the best clean just take it off and clean it that way.

Car Analogy

When I am cleaning a really dirty intake/throttle body, I stuff a rag in there to soak up the cleaner, and once its wet, use it to wipe things down to get the bulk of the nasty. That way don't hafta worry bout hydrolock...