What are the methods to determine if the throttle body is dirty?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if the throttle body is dirty are: 1. The engine vibrates noticeably when starting; 2. The vehicle experiences weak acceleration while driving. The throttle body is a controllable valve that regulates air intake into the engine. After entering the intake pipe, the air mixes with gasoline to form a combustible mixture, which then burns to generate power. Precautions and methods for cleaning the throttle body include: 1. Avoid using highly corrosive cleaning agents, and be careful with cleaning intensity to prevent damaging the coating; 2. Remove the intake hose to expose the throttle body, disconnect the negative battery terminal, turn off the ignition switch, straighten the throttle plate, spray a small amount of carburetor cleaner into the throttle body, then carefully wipe with a polyester cloth or high-density non-woven fabric. For hard-to-reach areas, use a clip to hold the cloth for careful cleaning.
I've been driving for twenty years and have encountered many cases of dirty throttle bodies. There are several key methods to diagnose this. One is when the engine shakes noticeably at idle, making the entire car vibrate, especially after a cold start—sometimes it even stalls. Another is when acceleration response slows down; you press the gas pedal, but the car doesn't react immediately, taking a second or two to move, particularly struggling uphill. Fuel consumption also creeps up—last time I checked, it was over a liter more than usual. If you're somewhat tech-savvy, I sometimes plug in an OBD scanner to check the throttle position sensor data. If the opening value fluctuates erratically, that's usually a clear sign. Regular throttle cleaning is crucial—I check it every 30,000 kilometers. Otherwise, excessive carbon buildup can damage the engine and increase fuel consumption.
