How to Determine When to Clean the Throttle Body?
2 Answers
Determining when to clean the throttle body involves observing unstable vehicle acceleration and idle speed. The steps for cleaning the throttle body are: 1. Remove the air filter and intake pipe, unplug the throttle body socket, and take out the throttle body; 2. Spray cleaning agent and wipe the throttle body with a tissue. Precautions for cleaning the throttle body include: 1. It should be disassembled for cleaning; 2. Correct misconceptions about throttle body cleaning; 3. Develop proper driving habits and regular maintenance, avoiding the use of low-quality gasoline. The throttle body is connected to the air filter at the top and the engine block at the bottom, and it is divided into: traditional cable-type and electronic throttle bodies. The working principle of the throttle body is to control the air entering the engine. After the air enters the intake pipe, it mixes with gasoline to form a combustible mixture, which burns to generate power.
Last time when I started my car, the accelerator pedal felt like stepping on cotton—soft with little response and slow acceleration. At red lights, the car body trembled as if gasping for breath, and the RPM needle jumped erratically up and down. The veteran mechanic said my throttle body was clogged with sludge, like a straw blocked and unable to sip milk tea. Driving in constant stop-and-go city traffic for long periods allows carbon deposits to stick to the throttle plate. Once when it was opened up, the back of the metal plate was covered in black grime resembling coffee grounds—no wonder the airflow was restricted. The mechanic mentioned that after 30,000 kilometers, these symptoms should be watched for, especially in cars frequently used for short trips, as they are more prone to this issue.
