While it’s usually a straightforward job, cleaning your car’s throttle body can result in some problems if you make a mistake. The most common issues car owners experience after cleaning the throttle body are a high idle and the check engine light turning on.
Your car’s throttle body is a small but essential piece of its air intake system, and it’s one of the most critical components of your vehicle to maintain. While you can take your car to the dealership or repair shop for this service, it’s a great DIY project that you can do in your driveway to save some cash.
If you’re planning to clean your throttle body or have already done so and are experiencing problems, Jerry
has you covered with this informative guide. From helping drivers save on car insurance
to providing accurate answers to all your automotive questions, Jerry is the trustworthy super app
dedicated to keeping you informed and safe on the road. What is the throttle body?
The throttle body is the part of your car’s air intake system that controls the airflow to the engine. It is connected to the gas pedal between the air filter and the intake manifold.
The mass airflow sensor (MAF sensor) is usually attached to the throttle body and relays information about the air quality, temperature, and density to the ECU (electronic control unit).
The throttle body contains a butterfly valve known as a “throttle plate” that opens in response to the driver’s input on the accelerator pedal. When the driver presses down on the pedal, the valve inside the throttle body opens, allowing more air into the engine.
Often, a throttle position sensor (TPS) is attached to the throttle body that sends information to the ECU about the valve’s position. This data tells your car’s ECU whether you’re idling, pressing the pedal to the floor, or hovering between these extremes.
What are the signs of a dirty throttle body?
The throttle body is a vital component of your vehicle’s air intake system—and a dirty throttle body can lead to various issues with your car’s engine performance.
These are some of the most common symptoms of a dirty throttle body:
Grime buildup. One of the most common signs of a dirty throttle body is dirt or grime buildup. This inhibits airflow and reduces your engine’s power. Carbon deposits may form inside the throttle body and cause similar issues.
Poor fuel economy. A clogged or dirty throttle body can cause your car’s fuel economy to plummet. If you notice your mileage dropping by 10-15%, you might have a clogged throttle body.
A check engine light. A bad throttle body can alert the vehicle’s electronic throttle control, which will turn on your car’s check engine light. Problems with the throttle position sensor can also result in check engine codes, like P0121.
Rough engine idle. An irregular or jerky idle speed is one of the most common signs of a clogged or dirty throttle body. This happens when uneven airflow causes the engine’s idle to fluctuate.
Vehicle stalling. If your car stalls after coming to a stop or when pressing on the gas pedal, you might have a dirty or clogged throttle body. Similar to a rough idle, this happens because of inconsistent airflow entering the engine.
Slow or jerky acceleration. If your car’s engine isn’t receiving good quality air or the right air/fuel mixture, you may have issues accelerating. This means your vehicle is effectively choking and needs more airflow to perform well.
Engine misfires. An incorrect air/fuel mixture—caused by a dirty throttle body—commonly results in engine misfires. This can feel and sound like a small bump or ping when revving your engine.
Choosing the right throttle body cleaner
When you’re ready to clean your throttle body, you must purchase the correct type of cleaner. Using the incorrect chemical can damage components and result in even more problems than a dirty or clogged throttle body.
While throttle body cleaners and carb cleaners are often used interchangeably, you should avoid using regular carburetor cleaners on your throttle body. (Note, however, that some throttle body cleaners are multipurpose and have “carb cleaner” in their names).
Look for these cleaners at your local auto parts store or online:
How to clean the throttle body without taking it off
While you can completely remove the throttle body for cleaning, performing this service with the part still attached to the car is possible.
It’s a relatively simple car maintenance
process and shouldn’t need much more than a socket set, a flathead screwdriver, a clean rag or toothbrush, and a helper. Step 1: Open the hood and locate the air intake system. Then, follow the air tube from the air filter to find the throttle body.
Step 2: Disconnect the air tube from the throttle body. You will need to loosen the hose clamps to do this, and you may also need to remove the air box and filter.
Step 3: Clean the throttle body. Have your helper turn on the engine and lightly press the gas pedal to open the butterfly valve while you spray your cleaner inside the throttle body several times. Then, wipe the inside of the throttle body with your clean rag or a toothbrush. Be careful not to touch the inside of the throttle body with your fingers unless you are wearing gloves, as the oil from your skin can cause dirt to stick to the component.
Note: If you’re using Sea Foam, you can empty the entire bottle into the throttle body. This is what’s known as a top-end clean and can improve your engine performance by cleaning carbon buildup out of the air intake system and the pistons.
Step 4: Turn off the engine and reassemble the air intake system.
Step 5: Wait 5-10 minutes, then start your car. You may notice some smoke coming from your exhaust, especially if you used Sea Foam to perform a top-end clean. The best way to clear this smoke is to drive your car a few miles until the exhaust is clear.
Key Takeaway To clean your throttle body without removing it, disconnect the air tube, spray several squirts of your cleaner into the throttle body while your helper presses the gas pedal, then use a rag or toothbrush to wipe out the inside of the component.
What does cleaning the throttle body do?
Cleaning the throttle body removes dirt, grime, and carbon buildup from the component. It’s an important service that you should perform every 60-75,000 miles to keep your engine running smoothly.
Should you reset the ECU after cleaning the throttle body?
Resetting the ECU after cleaning the throttle body is always smart, as doing so will reduce the chances of problems after clearing the throttle body, like a high idle. Luckily, it’s a simple process that takes only a few minutes.
Step 1: After you finish cleaning your throttle body, start the car and let it idle for four minutes. The RPMs might be high at first but should gradually settle down as the ECU absorbs the data.
Step 2: Turn off the car for 90 seconds. Then, turn it back on and allow it to idle for another four minutes.
The engine should idle like normal after you complete these steps. If there is still a high or uneven idle, there is a problem beyond the ECU.
How do you fix high idle problems after throttle body cleaning?
Some of the additional problems that can cause a high idle after cleaning your throttle body include:
A vacuum leak. A vacuum leak occurs when the throttle body allows more air into the engine than necessary, resulting in a too lean situation. If this happens, your first step should be to check the vacuum hose for leaks and replace or repair it if necessary.
A torn intake hose. It’s possible to damage the intake hoses when cleaning the throttle body. If you tear one of these hoses, you might experience a high idle. To fix this issue, simply replace or repair the hose.
Electrical problems. You can often diagnose and fix electrical issues with the throttle body by using an OBDII scan tool. However, some electrical problems may be complex and require the attention of an expert.
Leftover grime in the throttle body. You might experience a high idle if you did not thoroughly clean the throttle body. You can fix the issue by cleaning the part again. If the throttle body is especially dirty, you may need to remove it from the vehicle for deep cleaning.
Does cleaning a throttle body damage it?
Properly cleaning the throttle body should not damage it. However, if you mishandle any parts or don’t sufficiently clean the component, you can cause damage to the throttle body, such as vacuum leaks, torn intake hoses, and leftover grime or carbon buildup.
How to find cheap car insurance
Throttle body cleaning should be an important part of any car care plan. But routine maintenance isn’t all you need to do for your vehicle. Having a quality insurance plan to protect your car—and yourself—is just as important.
Shopping for insurance doesn’t have to be stressful. When you download the car owner’s super app, Jerry
, we’ll do all the hard work for you. With the app, you can instantly compare rates from top companies, enroll in a new policy, and even find help canceling your old one. The most amazing part is that the average user saves over $800 after using Jerry to find a new provider.
“Super cheap! Jerry
saved me over $4500 during the entire year. The money really adds up.” —D’Shawn G.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
