Audi A6 C6: How to Clean and Reset Throttle Body

This article applies to the Audi A6 C6 (2004-2010).

If you have noticed a drop in gas mileage, your car is running rough, or you are getting the P0068 MIL, you may have a dirty throttle body or snow screen. No worries though; this is a really simple DIY fix. You will be back on the road within minutes after cleaning up your throttle body. There are no special tools and only a few bolts to deal with. This is one of the easiest jobs you'll do on your car, so give it a shot before taking it to the pros to handle. An unscrupulous pro might even suggest you need to purchase a new TB rather than just taking the time to clean it, and this is a very expensive proposition indeed. Even a good cleaning is going to cost a good deal in labor, so save your hard earned cash and get this job done in your own garage.

Step 1 – Pop the hood, locate the throttle body

Lift the hood and remove the rear engine cover. It will pull right up with no tools needed. You'll see the large air intake tube running from the left of the engine bay and attaching to the left rear of your engine. The air intake attaches to the throttle body which is attached to the left rear part of the engine.

Step 2 – Disconnect the air intake hose

The intake is connected via hose clamps. You can use a flat head screwdriver or 7 mm socket to loosen the hose clamps. Once those are off, you'll have one smaller vacuum hose connected to the backside of the larger intake. Pop this smaller hose off and set the intake tube aside. You now have access to the throttle body and can remove it. There is a snow screen inside the intake before the throttle body that can get clogged up pretty good. In many cases, this is the real culprit, but we've come this far, so we'll do a complete job. Give the snow screen a good cleaning and reinstall.

Step 3 – Remove the throttle body

There are only four Torx bolts that mount the throttle body to the engine. Remove these bolts, and the throttle body will come right off.

Step 4 – Give the throttle body a good cleaning and reinstall

With the throttle body in hand, you'll need to really get into it and work it clean. An old toothbrush works well. The butterfly valve needs to be cleaned from the front and inside behind it as well. Use a good throttle body spray cleaner and don't be shy with it. Make sure that you do not over spray and get it into the electronic module or connectors. You can clean that with a dry cloth after you finish with the carbon buildup. Once your TB is cleaned to your satisfaction, reinstall it and tighten those four Torx bolts. Reinstall the air intake hose and don't forget to reconnect the smaller vacuum line.

Step 5 – Perform a throttle body alignment

Before you can operate your Audi, you will need to perform a throttle body alignment because we removed, cleaned and reinstalled the throttle body. This procedure can be done yourself if you have a software product and scanner tool that has this functionality; otherwise, you'll want to get your Audi to a pro who can do it for you for a nominal fee. The procedure should take about five to ten minutes at most.

Featured Video: How to Perform Audi Throttle Body Alignment Procedure

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