Unsticking the throttle?

[oiprocs]

I'm driving my brother's car while he is on vacation (2002 Honda Civic) and the gas pedal is really sticky/thick. My '93 Prelude's pedal is very loose, easy to press and responsive. His is an annoyance, and I'm wondering if there is any way to loosen it up. An adhesive somewhere, or must I visit a mechanic to loosen it up for me?

 

[LTC8K6]

Lubricate the throttle linkage near the throttle body. Check for binding/interference/cable kink, etc.

Get a new cable?

 

[oiprocs]

LOL. Should have a put a disclaimer: "Please do not reference parts as I am not down with the lingo."

I know how to locate the part under the hood that allows you to rev the engine. Is that what you advise lubricating? The cable that knobish thing pulls on?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Do some little thingy with spray or gunk around the little dealy under the hood or check to make sure something isn't making it icky

Get a new dealybob?

Fixed for the OP

Originally posted by: oiprocs
LOL. Should have a put a disclaimer: "Please do not reference parts as I am not down with the lingo."

edit:
Throttle linkage=where the cable attaches to that causes the blade in the throttlebody to move
Thottle cable=the cable that transfers motion from your foot to the linkage.

 

[LTC8K6]

Maybe you need a garage?



Have someone press the gas pedal while you watch what moves under the hood. Spray some sensor safe lubricant on the parts that move when the gas pedal is pressed.

 

[oiprocs]

Heyyyy, now that's a good idea! Thanks man!

Is the lubricant going to say sensor safe on it? Or should I just assume all of them are sensor safe?

 

[Rumpltzer]

I'm expecting a message tomorrow.about how oiprocs got run over and sucked into the fan belt while sticking his head under the hood and having his friend press the gas pedal.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yes, do this with the engine off!

If you get the lube at an auto parts store, it will usually be labeled sensor safe.

The problem could also be dirt. In that case, you can use some sensor safe throttle body cleaner to clean up the linkage.

If you aren't sure about the lube, you can just drip a drop or two of motor oil on the moving parts to lube them.

I just didn't want you spraying anything around the throttle body that would damage the O2 sensors. Primarily, you don't want to use anything containing silicone.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Is it actually sticking open or just stiff? If it is just stiff it probably has stiffer springs then your worn out 93 does.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Other than the cable, the throttle body can be dirty, causing the pedal to stick when you first try to press it.

 

[kalrith]

I have a very similar problem. My '01 Mazda Tribute has a very sticky gas pedal. The throttle is fine, but when I initially press the gas pedal, I have to push pretty hard to get it to start moving, and then I wind up stepping on it too much.

What parts should I lubricate for that? If the parts are on the inside of the vehicle, what lube can I use that won't mess up the carpet?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: kalrith
I have a very similar problem. My '01 Mazda Tribute has a very sticky gas pedal. The throttle is fine, but when I initially press the gas pedal, I have to push pretty hard to get it to start moving, and then I wind up stepping on it too much.

What parts should I lubricate for that? If the parts are on the inside of the vehicle, what lube can I use that won't mess up the carpet?

If it's sticking when you first try to press the pedal, it's probably the throttle body sticking.

Get some throttle body cleaner and clean it out. It's under the hood, not inside the car.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Is it actually sticking open or just stiff? If it is just stiff it probably has stiffer springs then your worn out 93 does.

Stiff. But I drove the car when we first got it, and it was not like that. Now it's got 72xxx.

It is not stiff/sticky at first, and once I get going it loosens up. Nope. It is always stiffer than my Prelude.

Thanks for the tip on keeping the car off! I wasn't able to visit the auto store last night but I did not plan on having the car off. Isn't it bad to depress the pedal while the car is off? I thought this causes "flooding", where you gotta wait a bit before you start your car again.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Doesn't do anything when you depress the gas pedal when the car is off. Absolutely nothing, other than open and close the throttle plate. Which is what is sticking on your car.

Pushing the gas pedal hasn't caused flooding since the carburetor days.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: oiprocs

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Is it actually sticking open or just stiff? If it is just stiff it probably has stiffer springs then your worn out 93 does.

Stiff. But I drove the car when we first got it, and it was not like that. Now it's got 72xxx.

It is not stiff/sticky at first, and once I get going it loosens up. Nope. It is always stiffer than my Prelude.

Thanks for the tip on keeping the car off! I wasn't able to visit the auto store last night but I did not plan on having the car off. Isn't it bad to depress the pedal while the car is off? I thought this causes "flooding", where you gotta wait a bit before you start your car again.

It was possible to do it during the carb days. But with fuel injection, it's not going to happen.