How to Clean the Throttle Body on Your Car
The throttle body is an important part of your car’s engine. It controls the amount of air that flows into the engine, which in turn affects the engine’s power and performance. Over time, the throttle body can become dirty and clogged with carbon deposits, which can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Reduced engine power
- Rough idling
- Stalling
- Poor fuel economy
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s likely that your throttle body needs to be cleaned. Cleaning the throttle body is a relatively simple process that can be completed in about an hour. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Throttle body cleaner
- Shop rags
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
Once you have your materials, follow these steps to clean the throttle body:
1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal
This will prevent any electrical shorts from occurring while you’re working on the throttle body.
2. Locate the throttle body
The throttle body is usually located on the top of the engine, near the intake manifold. It’s a black or silver cylinder with a butterfly valve inside.
3. Remove the air intake hose
The air intake hose is the large hose that connects the throttle body to the air filter. Use a screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp, and then pull the hose off of the throttle body.
4. Remove the throttle body
The throttle body is usually held in place by four bolts. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts, and then carefully lift the throttle body off of the engine.
5. Clean the throttle body
Use a throttle body cleaner and a shop rag to clean the throttle body. Be sure to get all of the carbon deposits off of the throttle body, including the butterfly valve.
6. Reinstall the throttle body
Once the throttle body is clean, reinstall it in the reverse order that you removed it. Be sure to tighten the bolts securely.
7. Reconnect the negative battery terminal
Reconnect the negative battery terminal, and then start your car. Let the car idle for a few minutes to allow the throttle body to relearn its settings.
Cleaning the throttle body is a simple process that can improve your car’s performance and fuel economy. If you’re experiencing any of the problems listed above, it’s worth taking the time to clean your throttle body.
