Symptoms Indicating the Need for Throttle Body Cleaning?
2 Answers
Symptoms indicating the need for throttle body cleaning include: unstable idle speed with shaking, difficulty controlling throttle at low speeds, hard cold starts, requiring a second ignition attempt, shaking while driving, stalling at idle or low speeds, and increased fuel consumption. In severe cases, it may affect the throttle and air intake sensitivity, causing delayed or incorrect transmission of signals by the ECU, triggering the engine pollution control alarm, or even preventing the vehicle from starting. Methods for cleaning the throttle body: 1. Purchase carbon deposit cleaner from a reliable source. 2. Open the front hood, locate the engine and the air filter tube, loosen the clamp screw on the engine side of the air filter tube—the electronic throttle body is connected to the engine. 3. Spray the cleaner onto the electronic throttle body, wipe with chamois cloth, and repeat the process. Use cotton swabs to clean hard-to-reach areas. 4. Turn the car key to the ON position and continue wiping until the black deposits are completely removed. 5. Let it dry for a while after wiping. 6. Reinstall and tighten the air filter tube clamp to complete the cleaning process.
As an ordinary driver with ten years of experience, I think the signs of a dirty throttle are quite obvious: the car shakes noticeably at idle, like rocking in a chair; the throttle response is sluggish when accelerating, with a delay before the car speeds up; starting the car also becomes a bit difficult, sometimes failing to start on the first try. This is usually caused by carbon buildup in the fuel system clogging the throttle inlet over long-term use, preventing air from entering and disrupting the engine's operation. I remember one time when I encountered this issue, my fuel consumption also skyrocketed. I quickly drove to the repair shop for a cleaning, which took about half an hour, and the car was back to running smoothly. I recommend regular maintenance, checking the throttle every 20,000 kilometers to avoid breaking down on a long trip.
