Used an all purpose engine degreaser for one engine component

Tiny
COOLOLDS85
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK REGAL
  • 2.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 55,900 MILES
I used an all purpose engine degreaser (Zep commercial degreaser) for one engine component. I know there are throttle body cleaners out there designed just to clean throttle body’s. But my throttle body was so dirty I thought I would use some degreaser. I made sure not to get the sensors wet. Is it still safe to use since it’s a fuel delivery in there?
Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 4:21 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
The reason you use the actual throttle body cleaners is to protect the components from chemical damage many other cleaners can cause. For instance the TPS sensor is nothing more than a potentiometer and caustic cleaners can actually dissolve the various pieces inside it. The purpose made throttle body cleaners also do a great job and will not damage the parts.
Now being this is an old 1989 there is not any bore coating in the throttle body to worry about but the electronics could still be damaged.
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Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
COOLOLDS85
  • MEMBER
  • 173 POSTS
So what do you suggested to do so I will not have a problem in the future with the throttle body? Replace the sensors?
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Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Hunt up a replacement from a salvage yard and have it on the shelf. 99% chance that having the spare part the one on it will never fail! If it does you have one ready to go.
Hard to say if it will fail or not as there is not a way to look inside many sensors and see if they are bad.
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Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
COOLOLDS85
  • MEMBER
  • 173 POSTS
How about if the TPS sensor was bad? In older cars like mine would it not still pull a code if bad?
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Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
It should send a code, If the TPS sensor goes bad the vehicle will have a tendency to idle higher.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2018 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
1989 will set a code but they are also a lot more tolerant of minor issues as well. Not like an OBD II vehicle that gets upset when a bug lands on the glass.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2018 AT 11:13 AM

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