How to Clean the Throttle Body

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Unlike the old carburetor system, the fuel injection system is much easier to maintain. After you stack up some miles on your vehicle, it is important to perform a fuel injection cleaning maintenance, which although may sound like a lot, it is quite simple to do. Cleaning the throttle body is an important piece in the fuel injection cleaning process. There are some signs your throttle body will give you when it needs cleaning; for instance, rough idling, lack of acceleration, and even stalling. These signs occur when there is built-up dirt and gum inside the throttle body, which simply restricts the flow. It is recommended you only clean the throttle body with throttle body spray, which is a high-pressure spray that is designed specifically for this type of built-up dirt. Whether you are experiencing clear signs of a dirty throttle body, or you simply want to make your car run at full potential, then read on to learn how to efficiently clean your throttle body.

Tools Required:
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Throttle body cleaner
• Toothbrush
• Paper towels
• Flashlight

Disconnecting the negative battery terminal is not necessary; however, it is an important safety precaution. Use your wrench to loosen the negative battery terminal’s nut, and then pull it off. Wrap the terminal in a towel to avoid contact with any metal, as it could create a spark.

To locate the throttle body, follow the thick air duct going from your air box to the throttle body. You will need to use your screwdriver (or different tool, depending on your car) to loosen its clamp. Once the clamp is loose, pull the air duct gently off of the throttle body to expose it.

Once the throttle body is exposed, start spraying your throttle body cleaner inside of it. Use a toothbrush to scrub down the hard, built-up dirt, and when it comes loose, use your paper towels to clean and get them off of the throttle body. Use a flashlight to look inside of the throttle body to make sure it is as clean as you can make it. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as needed until the throttle body is clean.
Install the air duct on top of the throttle body, and then tighten its clamp. Install the negative battery terminal, and then tighten its nut.