Throttle Shaft O-Ring Help

[travislaw]

Let me start off by saying I already know about the VFAQ write-up on how to replace the throttle body shaft o-rings. Here is my question. My current 2g throttle body is leaking really badly at the throttle shaft, so I bought the o-rings to replace them. But I have another 2g throttle body that was supposedly out of a 2g with only 30,000 miles on it. Should I take the chance and just throw on this other throttle body and hope it has low miles on it and no o-ring problems, or should I bite the bullet and attempt the o-ring replacement? I plan on sealing the throttle body to the intake really well and I have all new gaskets for it. I only have one shot at doing this right. Is there anything I can check or test I can do to see if this spare throttle body is good or not? One last question is if anyone has done the o-ring replacement, how hard was it?

Question again:
Just replace the throttle body with the newer throttle body or do the o-ring replacement?
How can I check or test if the new throttle body is still good as far as leaking goes?
Has anyone done the o-ring replacement and if so, how hard was it?

I want to say thanks to who ever can give me some good advice. I really appreciate being able to come here and get my questions answered.

 

[yokotabrat]

The seal replacement is really not that bad, so I say go ahead and do it and not worry about whether your new/used throttle body will have the same problem. Worst case, if you mess up too badly, you have a spare to throw on.

There are only a couple of things that stick out to me from when I did my throttle body seal replacement. Definitely soak the throttle plate screws in penetrating oil for a day or two. Also, make sure you have a good screwdriver that fits perfectly in there. I was in a rush and stripped both of mine out by not paying attention to this. Also there is a nut that holds the throttle plate spring on. Be careful how tight you torque it down. Too tight and the plate doesn't turn freely, but too loose and the nut might back off.

Oh, and I know of no easy way to test if your other throttle body is leaking other than throwing it on the car and pressure testing the car.

Good luck, and I hope this helps some.

 

[2fast4]

There are only a couple of things that stick out to me from when I did my throttle body seal replacement. Definitely soak the throttle plate screws in penetrating oil for a day or two. Also, make sure you have a good screwdriver that fits perfectly in there. I was in a rush and stripped both of mine out by not paying attention to this. Also there is a nut that holds the throttle plate spring on. Be careful how tight you torque it down. Too tight and the plate doesn't turn freely, but too loose and the nut might back off.

You have '92 car. I have '90 car. Aren't your throttle plate screws "peened" on opposite side of the screw head? If so, how can you just screw it off w/o shaving the peened end?
If not, what form of securing is done on that end so it won't loosen off?

I believe they are peened. I'm filing it off and being careful not to file too much off to cause shaft integrity.

Also, when putting on the screws back on after the seals, what form of "securing" did you do so it won't back out and get sucked in? Locktite good enough, or JBWeld on the back end, or get new screws and peen it(bend the shaft or screw up the new seals?).
If you try to unscrew peened screw, it will screw up the threads, doesn't it? Even if I'm using "screw extractor".

Thanks for the spring nut torqueing info. Please give more info as much as possible. I'm down for days with this dilema

 

[yokotabrat]

Yep, I have a 92. If I remember correctly, the screws were mushroomed slightly, however they did not damage any of the threads when removed from the throttle shaft. I imagine the shaft is harder than the screws themselves. With the proper screwdriver I've been able to remove the screws on another throttle body without any problems. Filing them down would probably also work as long as you don't damage the shaft.

I used red loctite threadlocker and haven't had a problem with the screws backing out. It's been like this for probably 2 years or so.

Hope this helps.