1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Lubricate throttle spring and axle - with what?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by pasadena_commut, Jul 23, 2024 at 3:50 PM.

  1. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,503
    454
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I plan on cleaning the MAF and throttle body today or tomorrow. In reading up on that I have seen suggestions to lubricate the spring and the "axle" where it passes through the body, on each side of the plate. However, nobody said what to use for said lubrication. I will be using throttle body cleaner, which is supposed to leave some lubricant behind, but if that was sufficient, probably there would have been no specific mention of lubricating those points.

    So, what, if anything, does one spray on the spring or axle? For the latter I'm most tempted to go with "nothing" since I fear that anything substantial, like grease, will just gunk up the area and eventually cause the plate to stick.

    Thanks
     
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,671
    3,884
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Light machine oil. I wouldn't spray anything, just 1 drop one each end.
     
  3. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,503
    454
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    throttle.jpg

    By "each end", you mean a drop on the axle, where it meets the throttle body, in line with the screws?

    This picture was after I cleaned it (but before you posted). I will go back at some point and oil it, it wasn't hard removing the plastic box above the throttle. Well, other than the bar of relays blocking access to the back bolt with a normal sized ratchet. I used strips of old flannel pajamas soaked in CRC Throttle and Air Intake Cleaner. The black sooty stuff came off the aluminum and brass plate easily. There wasn't very much of that above the flap, but it was pretty dark underneath. However, the plate seems to be stained in some way, as I tried and tried and that mottling (which looks a little like rust, but probably cannot be because that plate seems to be brass) just wouldn't come off with that method. It didn't feel rough or raised, so I doubt it is interfering with the function of the throttle.

    Any idea what that "stain" might be, and how to clean it? Or maybe best to just ignore it.
     
  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,671
    3,884
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, just where metal meets metal.
    No, no idea. If it is clean and smooth, I'd just ignore it. If it was a surface oxidation stain, you could see if wiping a little white vinegar on it does anything.
     
  5. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,503
    454
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It is roughly the color of brass tarnish, so vinegar would probably remove it. That isn't going to affect the function of the part. I'm going with "ignore it".

    Thanks.
     
    dolj likes this.
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,483
    1,587
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have "never" had to do anything to the throttle shaft on any engine that's had regular use. Just clean the bore and throttle blade.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,503
    454
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Which makes me wonder, since basically nobody lubes the throttle plate axle, are failures of the motor that drives it really a thing? Searching the forum there were (rare) mentions of the position sensor failing and of throttles not being cleaned and then gunking up or corroding to the point where they would stick, but I didn't find one post about the electric motor in the throttle failing.
     
  8. qmanqman

    qmanqman Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2020
    311
    112
    0
    Location:
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Rem-Oil leaves a dry lube and will not attract dirt. I use it nearly everywhere except my bicycle chain.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,631
    38,757
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Repair Manual section on throttle body says nothing about lube.