What to Do If Fuel Consumption Increases After Cleaning the Throttle Body?
2 Answers
After cleaning the throttle body, fuel consumption may increase significantly in the short term because the original carbon deposits on the throttle body are removed, leading to increased air intake and consequently higher fuel consumption. This can stabilize over time or be resolved through an ECU reset to return to normal. Below are some relevant details: 1. The carbon deposits on electronic throttle bodies should be cleaned every 10,000 kilometers or when the fault indicator light comes on. After cleaning the carbon deposits, the vehicle's performance may be temporarily affected. For example, in fuel-injected vehicles, cleaning carbon deposits from the fuel system and throttle body may initially increase fuel consumption. The vehicle's ECU requires a learning process to adapt to the engine's operating conditions post-cleaning, which typically takes about 1,000 kilometers. 2. Generally, after cleaning the throttle body in a fuel-injected vehicle, an ECU reset operation is necessary. If this step is skipped, it may result in a significant increase in fuel consumption. The simplest reset method is to disconnect the battery for more than 30 seconds. Reconnect it after a minute, and the vehicle should return to normal after driving.
Increased fuel consumption after cleaning the throttle body is usually caused by the ECU not adapting to the new condition. Throttle cleaning removes carbon deposits and changes the air intake volume, but the car's computer still remembers the old parameters, resulting in an unbalanced air-fuel mixture and higher fuel consumption. Don't worry. From my own driving experience, when encountering this situation, I first drive normally for a few days to let it relearn the idle and acceleration patterns. Typically, after driving 50-100 kilometers, the fuel consumption gradually decreases. If the issue persists, it's recommended to visit a professional repair shop to check for trouble codes, use tools to reset the ECU, or check if the oxygen sensor is affected. Also, inspect whether the air filter is clean, as a dirty filter can cause the engine to consume more fuel. Cleaning is a good habit, but don't forget to ensure proper operation during subsequent maintenance.
