Q: Is it bad when oil gets into the throttle body?

asked by on February 17, 2017

In November my throttle body was acting up. Lightening bolt n traction control light came on. I had it cleaned and all was well. 3 days ago it happened again. This time worse, where it wouldn't drive right, made noise, had to get it towed. Engine light never came on. I had the throttle body replaced. The mechanic told me there was a little oil in the old throttle body and that my engine, i guess, could have blown up. Now I am really worried about the oil that was in the old throttle body. He said the new one could last 6 months or 6 years. They don't know how oil got into it. Maybe it blew in? My truck is paid off and I really love it and don't wanna buy a new one. But I want to be sure it's safe or can be fixed that I can keep it going a couple more years. Thank you for your help!

My car has 110000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hello, I believe what you are describing is a problem with your PCV valve. A bit of oil in the throttle body is not going to harm your motor and is certainly not going to cause it to blow up. At an idle, the PCV valve restricts air flow, to reduce this problem. At high manifold vacuum (idle), a spring loaded valve is drawn up and partially restricts flow to the crankcase. The PCV system is relatively simple. An inlet hose connects to a filtered air source. This is used to supply clean air that is drawn through the engine. Most of the time this air is supplied through the engine air filter. On a few designs there is a separate inlet filter that cleans the incoming air for the PCV system only. This filtered air flows through the engine, picking up fumes and vapors. The air exits through another hose, connected to manifold vacuum. The flow of air draws fumes from the crankcase and burns them harmlessly in the engine. This also creates a slight vacuum, relieving any pressure that may build. Negative pressure helps to prevent oil leaks and oil consumption by the engine. The PCV valve also helps regulate the amount of air flow, which helps prevent oil being drawn out of the engine. When the PCV valve is not working correctly, this will cause an imbalance in air flow and vacuum causing the check engine light to come on. i would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your Jeep.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I fold the side view mirrors?
The side view mirrors can be folded in to decrease the width of your car. You should always fold the mirrors in when parked on a busy street, or when in an automatic car wash. To fold in the mirrors,...
Saturn Ion wont change to 4th gear, its an automatic. The P0700 code comes up saying transaxal module. What does this means?
Hello. The code means there is either an electrical or mechanical (hydraulic) fault in the transmission, or the transmission "controls" and in your case that fault is causing your transmission not to shift. The fault itself can range from the...
My car has high miles and tonight it began "missing" and the engine does not seem as "smooth" as usual.
Hello. The symptoms you describe can be caused by a wide variety of issues. If the Check Engine Light has come on, then I would recommend retrieving the trouble codes as the possibilities could be many. Issues with the fuel...
Car riding rough over potholes and bumps
Hi there. If you have recently replaced shocks and struts, along with tires on your Accord, but still having a rough ride, it's possible that the stabilizer bar bushings are worn out and need to be replaced. It's probably best...
2 yrs old and needs a tranny???
While it not a common thing to have a low mileage transmission failure, it does sometimes happen. It may not necessarily be that the transmission failed as a unit, but a specific part may have failed and the factory recommendations...
Having problem installing alternator in a 2005 nisson pathfinder. Bolts don't line up.
Hi there. Typically when bolts don't line up when everything else is properly aligned, it's due to the wrong replacement part being used. There are two things I would recommend. First, search online to find the recommended replacement alternator for...
2006 Volvo s60 2.5T and when accelerating it vibrates violently
Hi Christian. Thanks for the additional information. Based on what you've indicated, I would suspect that you have worn out wheel bearings causing the vibration, especially if you are experiencing the vibration reduces and when you make a turn. However,...
Hello how long would it take to replace the oil pan and what would the cost be if I purchased my own oil pan
I show the labor to replace oil pan to be 2.7 hours labor. If you supplied all the fluids and parts then you should only have the labor charge. If they supplied any parts and fluids then it would be...
ABS shuts down transmission
Check to be sure the transmission has adequate fluid. Too little fluid and the car won't move. The ABS system electronics, and the braking control that the ABS pump provides, do not have any connection to the transmission. If multiple...

Related articles

Are Switches Inside a Car Waterproof?
The The electrical switches inside your car control functions throughout your vehicle. You have switches that turn your headlights and radio on or off, adjust the volume of your sound system, open the power windows, and lock the power door...
2014 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2014 Jeep Wrangler: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs are a crowded market, but Jeep has long been a name to remember. SUVs are generally built on the chassis of a truck and provide the overall handling of a truck instead of feeling more like a car that...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Photographer
If If you are a photographer, and you’re considering buying a used car, the big thing to consider is the type of photography you do. Thanks to the advances in digital photography, chances are you’re not hauling around a lot...