Why does the car lose power after cleaning the throttle body?
2 Answers
The phenomenon of reduced power after cleaning is generally caused by the following reasons: 1. Reason one: Excessive cleaning agent sprayed during cleaning, leading to an overly rich air-fuel mixture and incomplete combustion. This issue usually resolves itself after a short period of driving. 2. Reason two: Poor quality cleaning agent used or improper cleaning method. Sometimes, cleaning the throttle body is accompanied by cleaning the intake tract, fuel system, and catalytic converter, which can easily cause abnormal engine damage, catalytic converter damage, or blockage. 3. Reason three: Check the ignition system. Sometimes, when spark plugs are about to be replaced, improper cleaning or the use of low-quality cleaning agents can easily cause engine detonation, damaging the ignition system and even mechanical components of the engine in some cases.
After cleaning the throttle body, the car feels sluggish, which is commonly caused by the electronic control unit not adapting to the new conditions in time. After removing carbon deposits, the throttle opening changes, but the engine computer still controls ignition and fuel injection based on old data, leading to an imbalanced air-fuel mixture and reduced power. Additionally, the position sensor may have been damaged during cleaning, causing incorrect signals to be sent to the computer. I recommend using a diagnostic tool to check for any fault codes first. If no tool is available, inspect all wiring connections for looseness or air leaks, especially around the throttle body—poorly installed seals can cause air leaks, making the mixture too lean. After starting, let the engine idle for a few minutes to allow the computer to relearn. If the problem persists after driving a few kilometers, don’t force it—seek professional help to avoid further damage. Regular throttle body cleaning is recommended to prevent carbon buildup.
