How many kilometers to clean the throttle body and fuel injectors?
2 Answers
Cleaning the throttle body is not based on mileage but depends on the local environment. Cleaning the fuel injectors is recommended every 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers. The method for cleaning the throttle body is: 1. Turn off the ignition switch and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery; 2. Remove the throttle cable, intake hose, and screws securing the throttle body in sequence; 3. Use a cleaner to clean the throttle body, and use a cotton swab to wipe areas that are hard to reach. The method for cleaning the fuel injectors is: 1. Hang the cleaning device on the front hood of the car; 2. Locate the fuel supply and return lines of the engine; 3. Disconnect the return line from the engine and use a suitable plug to block the return line; 4. Connect the fuel supply line to the outlet of the cleaning device; 5. Open the fuel tank cap and remove the fuel pump fuse to stop the fuel pump from working.
As an automotive engineer, I can responsibly say that the cleaning intervals for the throttle body and fuel injectors should not be determined solely by mileage. While 20,000 kilometers is indeed a reference value, the driving environment is far more crucial. If you frequently drive in stop-and-go city traffic or often refuel at small gas stations, carbon buildup around the throttle valve can become noticeable as early as 15,000 kilometers. Once the fuel injector's atomization performance deteriorates, the most obvious symptoms are difficulty starting a cold engine and noticeable vibrations. I once encountered a vehicle that required fuel injector cleaning after just 9,000 kilometers—the culprit was long-term use of substandard gasoline with excessive gum content. On the other hand, if you primarily drive on highways and use fuel from reputable gas stations, cleaning every 30,000 kilometers might be perfectly adequate. I recommend regularly monitoring your fuel consumption; a sudden increase often signals it's time for cleaning.
