What Happens to Your Car When Throttle Body Is Dirty

The throttle body is a vital part of your car’s engine. It controls the amount of air that enters the engine, which in turn affects the engine’s power and performance. When the throttle body is dirty, it can cause a number of problems, including:

1. Decreased Engine Power

A dirty throttle body can restrict the flow of air into the engine, which can lead to decreased engine power. This can make it difficult to accelerate, especially at low speeds. You may also notice a decrease in fuel efficiency.

2. Rough Idle

A dirty throttle body can also cause a rough idle. This is because the engine is not getting the right amount of air, which can cause the engine to stall or run erratically.

3. Stalling

A dirty throttle body can also cause your car to stall. This is because the engine is not getting enough air to keep running.

4. Check Engine Light

A dirty throttle body can also cause the check engine light to come on. This is because the engine computer has detected a problem with the throttle body.

5. Black Smoke from Exhaust

A dirty throttle body can also cause black smoke to come from the exhaust. This is because the engine is not burning the fuel properly.

How to Clean a Throttle Body

If you think your car’s throttle body is dirty, you can clean it yourself. Here are the steps:

Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Locate the throttle body. It is usually located on the engine intake manifold.
Remove the throttle body from the engine.
Clean the throttle body with a throttle body cleaner. Be sure to clean all of the carbon deposits from the throttle body.
Reinstall the throttle body on the engine.
Reconnect the negative battery terminal.