How Often Should Fuel Injectors, Throttle Bodies, and Three-Way Catalytic Converters Be Cleaned?
2 Answers
The throttle body is generally cleaned every 20,000 kilometers or so. Fuel injectors are typically cleaned every 2 years or 60,000 kilometers. The three-way catalytic converter is usually cleaned when the vehicle has traveled 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, but the cleaning frequency should be adjusted based on the actual driving conditions. If left uncleaned for too long, it can lead to increased fuel consumption and reduced engine performance, so regular cleaning is recommended. Cleaning the Three-Way Catalytic Converter: The cleaning method for the three-way catalytic converter involves using an intravenous drip ("hanging bottle") approach. This method connects a plastic hose to the engine's vacuum solenoid valve and uses the air pressure in the hollow tube to draw the cleaning agent from the infusion bottle into the engine. As the cleaning agent exits through the exhaust pipe, it cleans the three-way catalytic converter. Composition of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter: The three-way catalytic converter generally consists of four parts: the shell, damping layer, substrate, and catalyst coating. Shell: Made of stainless steel to prevent oxidation scale from peeling off, which could clog the substrate. Damping Layer: Composed of gaskets or wire mesh pads, it serves to seal, insulate, and secure the substrate. To protect the substrate from damage due to vibration, thermal deformation, and other factors, the gasket is made of expanded mica and aluminum silicate fibers, bonded with adhesive. Substrate: Made of honeycomb-shaped ceramic material, though many also use metal (including stainless steel) materials. Catalyst: Composed of precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium, sprayed onto the substrate to form the purifying agent.
From driving experience, it's best to clean the fuel injectors every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers to prevent carbon buildup from clogging and affecting fuel supply. The throttle body gets dirty faster - I usually check and clean it every 15,000 km as city traffic makes it accumulate grime quickly. The catalytic converter doesn't need frequent cleaning unless you notice abnormal exhaust smoke or power loss, just have it checked during the 50,000 km maintenance. Adjust intervals based on your driving habits - extend them for highway driving, shorten for urban stop-and-go trips. Keeping these components clean extends engine life and saves repair costs. I once neglected injector cleaning which caused engine shudder during acceleration, costing me unnecessary part replacements. Regular maintenance is key - don't wait for problems to surface.
