1. Is it just a matter of taking the cover off the air filter, removing the filter and cleaning the pipe going to your MAF, then rev it to open flap and clean it.

2. Is it sufficient to remove stuff with a cloth/tissue or should you use a chemical.

3. How often should it be done and how does it build up ?

4. I seen in someone elses post that you need to disconnect the battery, is this really necessary.

5. Lastly, do you have to do a Throttle body alignment. Is this measuring air flow compared to a certain flap position

Throttle Body Alignment

1. Open the hood then open the driverside door.

2. Put the key in the ignition "on" position which is just before the start position

3. Walk towards the engine and listen to your engine. It will make high pitch beep for about 1min or so. You will hear your throttle body adjusting itself.

4. When all the sounds stops. Close the hood. Get in the car. Close the door then start your engine.

5. Wait about 20sec before you move your vehicle.

The throttle body isnt by the MAF, its on the left hand side of the inlet manifold. (might have missunderstood that part, if so sorry).

The only way to effectively clean it out is too remove the four 5mm allen key screws and remove the whole unit (carefull of the gasket) so you can clean the other side of the throttle butterfly. It is also not adviseble to push the flap againt the motor to much. After removal the only way to reset the throttle body correctly is to carry out the adaptation procedures with VAG COM or similar.

Dont spray any cleaner into the inlet manifold directly as this will then go into the engine when its next started up, usually causes detionation if only for a bit but can damage your plugs.

Hope this helps a bit

The only way to effectively clean it out is too remove the four 5mm allen key screws and remove the whole unit (carefull of the gasket) so you can clean the other side of the throttle butterfly. It is also not adviseble to push the flap againt the motor to much. After removal the only way to reset the throttle body correctly is to carry out the adaptation procedures with VAG COM or similar.

Ross you were right' date=' I was way off the mark with my location. I don't have VAG com so would it be advisable not to clean it?, I'm not having any issues with the car but I though that there may be a build up and it would help the car run smoother.

[img']http://www.briskoda.net/gallery/data/506/19enginebay.jpg[/img]

Would I be correct in saying that the throttle body is at the top left hand corner of the photo with the pipe coming out of the top (whats this for ?), below the washer bottle. Would most of the dirt be on the Inlet manifold side of the throttle body or would you also have to clean the other side, by taking the dublie clip off the pipe ?

Does it get very dirty, how often would it need to be cleaned (I have 30k miles done on the car).

Would short journeys have more of an effect on the level of dirt in it ?

Yep thats it. The pipe on the top is a vacuum supply.

They dont really get that mucky usually tbh. The throttle valves can be a bit tempremental sometimes with thier basic settings so if its running ok id leave it alone.

If you have an unstable idle at all id take a look at the coolant temp sensor first.

If you have an unstable idle at all id take a look at the coolant temp sensor first.

Ross - where is that located?

Thanks

They dont really get that mucky usually tbh. The throttle valves can be a bit tempremental sometimes with thier basic settings so if its running ok id leave it alone.

If you have an unstable idle at all id take a look at the coolant temp sensor first.

The only real problem I have is as you say an unstable idle, sometimes when the car is idling the revs can be very erratic, to a point where sometimes I think the car is going to cut out. When stopped at traffic lights the revs jump up and down between 800-1300rpm without touching the accelerator, although I also notice it sometimes when first started. It feels as if the car is struggling to stay running.

Where is the coolant temp sensor located, is there any way of checking it of is a matter of swapping it out ?

What does tbh stand for, I can't find where the acronyms are located ?

Would it be worth while opening the 4 allen head screws to see what kind of shape its it or could this cause problems, before looking at the sensor?

Sorry for all the Q's,

Thanks for your help

tbh = to be honest.

The coolant temp sensor is a four pin sensor in the top coolant hose just next to where MAF is written on the above pic, just under the edge of the front engine cover.

See what colour it is, theres been a few supersessions on this part. If its black change it for the latter green sensor. Also erratic idle can be due to the basic settings being out on the throttle body, would require reset by dealer or VAG COM.

Also erratic idle can be due to the basic settings being out on the throttle body, would require reset by dealer or VAG COM.

How is it done by VAG COM, a friend has it but hasn't much experience with it

Would the Throttle Body Alignment have any effect on improving it ?

1. Open the hood then open the driverside door.

2. Put the key in the ignition "on" position which is just before the start position

3. Walk towards the engine and listen to your engine. It will make high pitch beep for about 1min or so. You will hear your throttle body adjusting itself.

4. When all the sounds stops. Close the hood. Get in the car. Close the door then start your engine.

5. Wait about 20sec before you move your vehicle.

Throttle body alignment..

The above precedure may well do it, but to do it correctly this is the procedure of address words

01. Engine

04. Basic setting

Channel 060 (098 on some older cars)

Let he readings run full cycle until "adp OK" is displayed.

This re configures the throttle pot to the engine ECU so it knows where base, part and full throttle positions are.

This setting can be lost if the battery is disconnected or gone flat.