How to Clean Carbon Deposits in the Car Throttle Body?
2 Answers
Methods for cleaning carbon deposits in the car throttle body: First, remove the intake hose to expose the throttle body, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, turn off the ignition switch, straighten the throttle plate, spray a small amount of carburetor cleaner into the throttle body, and then carefully wipe the deep parts of the throttle body with a polyester cloth or high-density non-woven fabric. For areas that are hard to reach by hand, use a clip to hold the cloth for careful cleaning. Carbon deposits are a sticky substance formed from unsaturated olefins and gums in fuel under high temperatures during engine operation. They can accumulate in various parts of the engine, such as the intake and exhaust systems, combustion chambers, and fuel injectors. Carbon deposits have oil-absorbing properties, causing incompletely burned gasoline to turn into more carbon deposits, layer by layer, becoming thicker and leading to a vicious cycle.
Last time my car had unstable idling and a surge in fuel consumption, and after checking, I found out it was due to carbon buildup in the throttle body. Cleaning it yourself is actually not difficult: first, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent accidental startup, then remove the intake pipe to expose the throttle valve. Buy a bottle of specialized cleaner, spray it on, wait about five minutes for the carbon deposits to soften, and then wipe them clean with a non-woven cloth—avoid using rough fabrics to prevent scratching the valve. After reassembling everything, the throttle immediately feels much smoother. Adding some fuel additive regularly can help prevent buildup, but don’t be lazy—you should clean it every 20,000 kilometers to avoid affecting engine lifespan and driving safety. Doing it yourself saves money and gives a sense of achievement, and the tools can be bought online for just a few dozen dollars.
