What are the benefits of cleaning the throttle body?
2 Answers
Cleaning the throttle body can remove carbon deposits, improve the precision of air intake and fuel injection, enhance fuel efficiency, and extend the engine's lifespan. Below is the correct method for cleaning the throttle body: 1. If there is a plastic heat shield cover on the engine, remove it. 2. Remove the air ducts around the throttle body and note their positions. 3. The side of the throttle body near the combustion chamber is usually dirtier, with black carbon deposit traces, which is the main area to clean. 4. Cleaning the throttle body primarily involves removing carbon deposits. Special cleaning solutions or carburetor cleaners can be used, but these cleaners are harmful to humans, so gloves and a mask should be worn during cleaning. 5. Spray the cleaner onto the areas of the throttle body with heavy carbon deposits, wait for 5-10 minutes, and use a brush to significantly speed up the cleaning process. Once the carbon deposits dissolve, wipe off the cleaner with a towel. 6. Reinstall the cleaned throttle body in its original position and reassemble all air ducts.
A while ago, my car was idling with severe vibrations, so I took it to the repair shop to have the throttle body cleaned, and the results were immediate. Cleaning the throttle body mainly removes accumulated dust and sludge, allowing air to flow smoothly into the engine, unlike before when it was clogged. Now, stepping on the gas feels much lighter, acceleration is more responsive, and it no longer feels sluggish. The idle is also stable, and the engine doesn’t shake when parked and waiting. Additionally, fuel efficiency has noticeably improved—my car used to burn an extra hundred bucks’ worth of fuel each month, but now it’s saving money. More importantly, it prevents major issues; a clogged throttle body can easily cause the engine to stall or have difficulty starting. Cleaning it can extend the component’s lifespan, and it’s usually cost-effective to do this every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers. You can do it yourself, but make sure to disconnect the battery and handle it carefully to avoid damaging the connectors, or spend a little money to have a professional do it for peace of mind.
