How to Deal with Throttle Carbon Deposits?
2 Answers
Throttle carbon deposits need to be cleaned. The cleaning method is as follows: 1. First, remove the intake hose to expose the throttle, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, turn off the ignition switch, straighten the throttle flap, and spray a small amount of "carburetor cleaner" into the throttle; 2. Then, carefully wipe with a polyester cloth or high-quality "non-woven fabric". For areas deep inside the throttle that are hard to reach, use a clip to hold the cloth for careful cleaning; 3. After cleaning, reassemble the parts in the reverse order of disassembly. Once reassembled, proceed with throttle initialization. Initialization is essential after cleaning the throttle because the ECU adjusts the throttle opening based on memory. Previously, due to sludge blockage, the ECU would automatically adjust the throttle opening to maintain normal air intake; 4. After cleaning, without sludge blockage, if the throttle maintains its previous opening, it will result in excessive air intake. The consequences include engine shaking at startup, poor acceleration, and the engine warning light may also illuminate.
I remember before my car had unstable idling and slightly higher fuel consumption, and I found out it was due to carbon buildup in the throttle body. Later, I tried cleaning it myself by buying a specialized cleaner, first removing the air filter, locating the throttle body, spraying the cleaner, and wiping off the carbon deposits with a cloth. If it's too severe, it's best not to force it and instead seek professional service for safer handling. Prevention is quite important in daily use—I use higher-quality gasoline and occasionally take the car on the highway to run at higher RPMs, which helps reduce carbon buildup. A car is just like a person; too much carbon buildup can make it hard to 'breathe,' affecting acceleration and fuel efficiency. My car has been running for over ten years, and with regular maintenance, it's still in good condition.
