HOW TO CLEAN A THROTTLE BODY? A GUIDE FOR ALL CARS -

In this article, you’ll see and hopefully learn how to clean a throttle body.

With modern engines, this task is almost considered as regular maintenance. Once the throttle body gets dirty and gunked up, you may have serious problems.

At first, it may only be the check engine light but later it may turn into occasional engine stalling and later the appearance of limp mode.

Eventually, a dirty throttle body will cause the engine to go into limp mode and result in the car being undriveable.

So, you’ll agree, this is worth learning.

Besides our articles, you can also watch videos on our YouTube channel where you can see various car repair and driving tips.

BAD THROTTLE BODY SYMPTOMS-SKODA,VW,AUDI,SEAT

10 COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A BAD THROTTLE BODY

HOW TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY WITHOUT REMOVING IT?

WHAT CAUSES THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS? 5 MAJOR REASONS

INTRODUCTION

Worth knowing is that you have another option for how to clean a throttle body.

If the removal procedure is complicated on your car and the throttle body is hard to access, you can try and clean it without removing it.

To see the whole simple procedure, click here to view the article and video where everything is explained.

Besides this, we are showing this on our trusted Skoda Fabia mk1 which is a good example for explaining the whole procedure.

More or less, the system for removing, cleaning, and returning is the same for most cars.

The main difference is in the position of the throttle body and its accessibility. On some cars, this can be a serious issue.

This article should give you a good idea of what to do regardless of the car you drive.

Nevertheless, it would be good before you begin, to make an inspection and see if you can do this on your car in order to avoid problems or God forbid, costly damages.

WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO CLEAN A THROTTLE BODY?

TOOLS

Regarding the tools you’ll need, it mostly depends on the accessibility of the throttle body on your car.

For instance, in the case of the Skoda, all you’ll need is a screwdriver or ratchet, the proper socket and that’s it.

On other cars, sometimes the air box is more complicated to take off, sometimes there are numerous plastic protections, and so on.

Again, the best advice on this part is to make an inspection before you start and make an assessment of what you need to avoid getting into a tight spot or missing a tool.

CLEANING SPRAY

You’ll of course need cleaning spray. Best use a spray made specifically for this purpose (throttle body cleaner or carburetor cleaner). These give the best results.

Avoid any kind of aggressive spray or one that lubricates and leaves any kind of residue.

For wiping you can use some old cloth or wipes.

If you’re interested, you can click here and read an article about the sprays you should have when working around the car.

RE-LEARNING PROCEDURE

One more important thing to mention: on most cars, there is a certain procedure that must be done after cleaning called the re-learning procedure.

It involves, in short, the ECU reading new parameters and making new adjustments after the throttle body has been cleaned and returned.

See how this is done on your car since on some cars, especially the high-tech ones, you may need a diagnostic tool or some specific software.

In that case, if you don’t have these, you can’t finish the job.

HOW TO CLEAN A THROTTLE BODY?

1. TAKE OFF THE MINUS BATTERY CLAMP (OPTIONAL)

Before you start, I would recommend taking off the minus clamp on the battery, just in case.

When learning how to clean a throttle body, know that this isn’t necessary but it’s a good safety precaution.

2. REMOVE THE AIR BOX AND AIR FILTER

First, take off the air box and air filter. Sometimes you have to do this in two steps, or like in the case of the Skoda, you can take the whole air box off with the filter.

Under the air box is the throttle body.

3. REMOVE ANY ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS, CABLES, PIPES AND HOSES

Inspect the vicinity around the throttle body. Remove any electrical connections, pipes, hoses, or other possible obstacles leading to it.

The most common thing you’ll encounter is either a cable or electric connection attached to it.

Detach and remove anything that is an obstacle, the point is to make way for taking the throttle body out later.

4. RELEASE THE SCREWS AND REMOVE THE THROTTLE BODY

On the throttle body, you’ll find screws holding it. In this case, there are four screws, there may be more on your car.

Losen them, do not use extreme force especially if the air intake manifold is plastic. Be careful if possible.

Once released, insert a piece of cloth into the air intake manifold (the hole under the throttle body), to prevent something from getting accidentally into the engine.

If it does, it can be a huge and costly problem.

5. CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY

Now for the main part of how to clean a throttle body and that is the cleaning which is very easy.

Simply take the spray and rinse the part of the throttle body where the butterfly valve is. Do this on both sides.

If possible open the valve a bit so you can clean the gunk that forms between the neck and the butterfly valve.

With an electronic throttle body like in this case, move the butterfly valve carefully so you don’t damage the mechanism.

Rinse until the throttle body is squeaky clean and there are no traces of gunk left over.

Needless to say, avoid spraying, the electronic parts and connections. You don’t even have to spray any of the external parts unless they are very filthy.

Leave it to dry out, the spray will evaporate quickly.

6. RETURN THE THROTTLE BODY AND TIGHTEN IT

Now for the returning part.

Essentially, the procedure is the same as removing, you just do everything in reverse.

At this point, also check the gasket that goes under the throttle body. If it’s damaged or you got a new one, replace it, or else it will cause problems later (air leaks).

In this case, the old gasket is OK so we’ll leave it.

Return the throttle back into place, insert the screws, and tighten in a crisscross pattern.

This is important. Do not overtighten the screws or else you may crack the air intake manifold and this can be a huge and costly problem.

Tighten in a crisscross pattern to make sure the throttle body sits on the manifold and gasket properly.

7. RETURN ALL THE HOSES, PIPES CONNECTIONS

After this return into place all the electrical connections, cables, hoses, protective covers, or else that you may have previously removed.

8. DO THE RE-LEARNING PROCESS

Once everything is done, return the minus battery clamp.

Do the re-learning procedure if needed. On the Skoda, luckily it just involves turning the ignition key three times before starting the engine.

Again, check how it’s done on your car to make the proper and needed adjustments.

9. RETURN THE AIR FILTER AND AIR BOX

Return the air box and filter and make sure everything sits in place and is properly tightened so you don’t get the check engine light afterward.

10. START THE ENGINE AND CHECK IF EVERYTHING IS OK

For the finish of how to clean a throttle body, start the engine.

If everything is OK, the engine will run smoothly.

There might be a rough idle for a few couple of seconds but if everything is OK, the engine should run smoothly after that.

Also, the gas pedal response should be swifter and sharper.

Of course, no warning lights should appear on the dashboard and everything has to be like usual.

CONCLUSION

To summarize, your whole job is to simply take off a car part, clean it thoroughly, and return it.

Simple, if you have easy access, the needed tools, and no threat of freak electronic problems once you return everything.

With the Skoda, you can do it on the road so to speak. On other cars, it’s not that easy at all.

Because of that, I once more, must emphasize the importance of making a good assessment before you start the job.

Inform yourself a bit before you begin taking things apart and take a good look under the hood.

For the end of how to clean a throttle body. Take off the airbox from time to time (a couple of times a year)and check the condition of the throttle body. Especially if the fuel quality in your country is poor.

The moment you see gunk and filth building up, clean it, and your car’s engine will be thankful.