How to Check if the Throttle Body Needs Cleaning?

[DeMatteo]

Acceleration is slow, idle speed is unstable, and power decreases. These fault phenomena indicate that the throttle body is too dirty and needs cleaning. Here are the methods to determine if the throttle body needs cleaning: 1. When the tachometer is unstable at idle speed, fluctuating up and down, it means the throttle body is too dirty and requires cleaning. 2. For any fuel-injected vehicle, when the engine is under no load, in neutral, rev the throttle to 3000 RPM and then suddenly release it. Observe the tachometer needle: if it quickly drops to 1000-1200 RPM, pauses slightly, and then drops to around 800 RPM in a fast and direct manner, it indicates the throttle body is slightly dirty but still does not need cleaning. If the needle drops quickly and directly below 800 RPM or even 700 RPM, then slowly rises back to around 800 RPM, with the idle speed fluctuating from low to high, it means the throttle body is severely dirty and requires immediate cleaning.