How to Clean the Throttle Body?
4 Answers
Cleaning the throttle body can be done following these steps: 1. Locate the throttle body. Open the car's engine hood and find the throttle body position. There is a black air pipe connector with a metal part secured by a metal clamp—this is the throttle body. 2. Next, use a screwdriver to loosen the metal clamp on the throttle body. You don't need to remove it completely; just loosen it sufficiently. Then, detach the plastic pipe connected to the throttle body. 3. After removing the throttle body, you can see the inside, which is covered with oil stains and carbon deposits. Take the throttle body cleaner and spray it inside a few times to dissolve the oil and carbon deposits. 4. Then, wipe it clean with a paper towel. Use your finger or another object to open the movable flap inside the throttle body and spray cleaner inside again, then wipe it clean with a paper towel. 5. Once cleaned, reassemble everything in the reverse order. Start the car and let the engine run for a while to expel any remaining debris from the throttle body.
I always clean the throttle body myself because I enjoy saving money and learning something new. Before cleaning, you must turn off the power—disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent short circuits. Then locate the throttle body near the engine, usually secured with bolts that can be removed using a wrench or screwdriver. After taking it out, don’t rush to spray randomly—apply a dedicated throttle cleaner onto a cloth and gently wipe the inside, especially areas with black carbon deposits, but be careful not to damage the parts with excessive force. Let it air-dry for a few minutes after cleaning, then reinstall and tighten the screws. Don’t forget to reconnect the battery and test the car. After cleaning, the engine idle will be much smoother, and fuel consumption may also decrease slightly. I typically clean it every 20,000 kilometers—just prepare a small toolbox, and DIY isn’t as difficult as you might think. Just be careful and prioritize safety.
I was extremely careful when cleaning the throttle body myself, as improper handling could potentially damage car components. Before cleaning, I had to consult the manual to locate its exact position. Disconnecting the power was the first step—disconnecting the battery to avoid sparks. I wore gloves during disassembly and used appropriate tools like a socket wrench, removing it slowly without forcing it. For the cleaning spray, I chose a high-quality brand, avoiding cheap products that might cause corrosion. After wiping off the carbon deposits, I either blew it dry with air or let it air dry naturally. When reinstalling, I made sure all connections were tight to prevent air leaks. Cleaning can resolve idle vibration issues, but if you're not skilled, it's more reliable to find a professional mechanic. Last time, I followed along with a video and succeeded!
Cleaning the throttle body is quite simple: First, turn off the engine and disconnect the battery, then locate the component and remove it. Spray carburetor cleaner and wipe off the black residue with a cloth, let it dry before reinstalling. The whole process takes about ten minutes, just be careful not to spray too much liquid inside. Regular cleaning helps prevent engine issues.
