What are the symptoms of a dirty car throttle?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a dirty car throttle include: 1. Engine shaking during idle; 2. Insufficient power while driving; 3. Increased fuel consumption; 4. Engine stalling; 5. Failure to meet emission standards. The causes of a dirty car throttle are: 1. Poor filtration by the air intake filter, combined with a dusty environment; 2. Low-quality engine oil with high evaporation rates; 3. Oil vapors and impurities from the crankcase. The throttle 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. Its working principle involves controlling the engine's air intake, with the vehicle's computer determining the fuel injection amount based on readings from the air flow sensor.
I remember when I helped a friend fix their car before, we encountered a dirty throttle body issue with quite obvious symptoms. First, the engine idled roughly—like when stopped at a red light, the engine wobbled like a drunkard, and you could even feel the vibration through the steering wheel, which was really annoying. Next, there was a lack of power during acceleration—stepping on the gas pedal felt like dragging through mud, with the speed refusing to climb while fuel consumption kept rising sharply, especially making highway overtaking risky. Then, there was difficulty starting the car—it took several attempts to fire up, and it was worse in winter. Sometimes, black smoke or odd smells came from the exhaust, and the check engine light might turn on—all these signals reminded me to address the issue promptly. I recommend adding fuel system cleaner occasionally or getting the throttle body cleaned regularly at a shop. This can prevent severe engine damage and extend your beloved car's lifespan.