I had a check engine light on my 2001 Accord EX (V6) and decided to take the intake manifold off to clean the EGR port. I sprayed carb cleaner into it and scraped it clean. I also sprayed carb cleaner into the throttle body. I replaced the PCV valve. I put everything back together and disconnected the negative cable on the battery for about half a minute and started the engine. The idle was pretty high (about 3000 RPM) and within approximately a minute the idle started to surge between about 1000 and 2000 RPM. I checked connectors and hoses that I had disconnected. Any ideas why the engine is idling like it is?

 

Because you have a vacuum leak. If the intake manifold gasket tore when you took it off you need to completely remove the old one using some sort of razor blade(works best) and put a new one back on. It's not always the case but it tends to occur since they use the paper gaskets.

 

took the car to the Hoda dealer and they say it's a bad throttle body $800+ parts&labor. Does this sound right?

 

Sounds like you need to pay a visit to the salvage yard.

 

Unless the TB itself is mechanically damaged there is no need to replace the whole unit. Either the TPS is out of adjustment or worn, or the MAP sensor is in need of replacement or the IAC is dirty or in need of replacement.

If you have a DVM you can back probe the TPS and MAP to see what the voltage output is, if the IAC is jammed it may just need to be cleaned.

 

Refusing to believe that the problem was the throttle body and paying $85 for their scan (my stupid tax), I rescued my car from the Honda dealer and took it to a local mechanic. Immediately upon inspection the mechanic said "vacuum leak" and within a couple of minutes he traced the leak to the boost plate. Evidently, I bent the gasket when replacing the plate. I was in and out of the shop in about 15 min and cost $35.

Thanks for the help.

 

They seriously scanned your car and came back with a code that said the throttle body was bad ?

This place really gives more credence to the "stealership" title that gets thrown around from time to time.

 

Thanks for the info guys my 96 is doing the same thing but how can I fix it myself?

 

Nvm just saw holmesnmanny's post lol