What are the consequences of not cleaning the throttle body?
2 Answers
Consequences of not cleaning the throttle body: 1. Increased fuel consumption. 2. Increased carbon deposits. 3. Abnormal idle shaking or fluctuations in the vehicle, which may eventually lead to failure to start the car. Steps for cleaning the throttle body: 1. Turn off the ignition switch and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. 2. Remove the throttle cable, intake hose, and screws securing the throttle body. 3. Use carburetor cleaner to clean the throttle body. For hard-to-reach areas, use a cotton swab. 4. After cleaning, reassemble the throttle body in the reverse order of disassembly and check if the cleaned throttle body allows smooth air intake.
I once drove a sedan that, due to years of neglecting throttle cleaning, accumulated carbon buildup issues. At first, there was just a slight shake at idle, like the wheels were complaining; over time, the car became sluggish during acceleration, the throttle felt weak, and fuel consumption noticeably increased, jumping from an average of 7 liters to over 9 liters. One winter, cold starts were particularly difficult, taking a lot of effort to finally get the engine running. This also triggered a chain of problems: the spark plugs were coated in black carbon, the air flow meter gave incorrect readings, causing the ECU to constantly adjust, and the engine's overall lifespan was compromised. Fortunately, a thorough cleaning at the repair shop fixed it, and now I get it checked every six months to avoid spending more on repairs. Regular maintenance is truly a wise choice—it saves on fuel costs and reduces the risk of sudden breakdowns.
