How to Determine if the Throttle Body is Dirty?
2 Answers
To determine if the throttle body is dirty, observe the following symptoms while driving: sluggish acceleration, rough idling, or unstable idle speed, which indicate a dirty throttle body. The recommended cleaning interval for the throttle body is approximately 20,000 kilometers. The causes of a dirty throttle body include: 1. Poor filtration by the air intake filter and a dusty surrounding environment; 2. Low-quality engine oil with high evaporation rates; 3. Oil vapors and impurities from the crankcase. The throttle body is a controllable valve that regulates air intake into the engine. Its function is to control the air entering the engine, where the air mixes with gasoline in the intake manifold to form a combustible mixture, which then burns to generate power.
I drive quite often and have noticed that if the throttle body gets dirty, the car starts very slowly when cold, sometimes shaking as if it's about to stall. When starting off, stepping on the gas pedal feels weak, acceleration becomes sluggish, and fuel consumption inexplicably increases. I remember once after a long highway drive, the tachometer jumped wildly at idle, prompting me to stop and check—only to find the air filter was clogged, causing carbon buildup on the throttle body. I recommend regularly popping the hood to inspect the throttle body position, using a flashlight to check if there's a thick layer of black buildup on the valve plate. If you're lazy, at least pay attention to these symptoms and address them early. Otherwise, it can lead to burning oil or damaging engine components, which are more expensive and troublesome to replace.
