Throttle cleaning. Choosing a cleaner
Preparatory operations
Like carburetor cleaners, the chemicals used to clean the throttle body are aerosol sprays.
The cleaning procedure described below is a must for vehicle preventive maintenance as it helps the engine accelerate faster, even in cold start conditions. In order to determine the need for cleaning, it is enough to look inside the throttle body to find dirt and residues of thickened deposits that have accumulated over time.
So, it's time to park the car, and not indoors, but in a well-lit area, with enough space to work around each side of the engine compartment. In order to remove the damper body from under the hood, you will need to partially disassemble it, and you will not need to disconnect the wiring. However, marking (with adhesive tape) of all hoses attached to the throttle body is desirable. They need to be detached to gain access to the body of the node. As a precautionary measure, disconnect the vehicle's negative ground terminal.
A basic rule of thumb is no smoking, use recommended skin and eye protection, and remember that all throttle valve cleaners are flammable.
Yes, and you shouldn't use any carburetor cleaner (if not indicated by the manufacturer): its versatility has its limits!
Best Throttle Body Cleaner
Here is a list of the most popular brands of purifiers according to the results of sales in 2018, according to independent experts:
- Hi-Gear The product contains essential lubricants and anti-corrosion ingredients that do not adversely affect the car's oxygen sensor and other sensitive parts of modern air intake systems. The manufacturer recommends using the cleaner every 5000-7000 km. Differs in speed, is suitable for all brands of cars, but is not always realized in a high-quality spray can.
- Cleaner 4720 from Johnsen. Its formula is considered the most modern, and the spray valve is one of the most convenient to use. The product is highly toxic.
- 3M 08867 is a universal cleaner in a convenient container, which can also be used to clean the carburetor. Contains catalytic converters.
- Mag 1 414: In addition to the air injection system, it helps to deal with organic deposits and dirt on other surfaces. Recommended for SUVs. The large capacity of the packaging allows you to rationally control the consumption.
- Berryman 0117C B-12 from Chemtool. It is a modern proposal from a brand known for its reliable automotive fluids, also suitable for motorcycle owners. The advantage is the use of a special technology for dissolving contaminants with a higher cleaning efficiency. Contains anti-corrosion additives.
- Jet Spray 800002231 from the Gumout brand. According to the test results, it showed the best processing efficiency, which increases the time interval between the next routine maintenance. Also cleans valves of engines of any power and design.
Separately, it is worth mentioning a group of universal throttle cleaners. Among them are ProLine by LiquiMoly, 5861113500 by Wurth and Masters by Abro. All of them are produced in Europe, therefore, with sufficient efficiency, they have the advantage of a more budgetary price.
Application sequence
Squeeze the air channel of the throttle body, shake the can, and then evenly spray the throttle valve cleaner inside the air duct. Use a brush with care to remove dirt. The cleaning process is repeated until the inner surface of the housing is clean (it is recommended to use a hand-held flashlight).
Care must be taken when working with the product so that a thin plastic spray does not enter the throttle hole. The surface is periodically wiped with clean paper towels. They also remove aerosol residues.
After assembling the damper, the engine may start worse than usual. The reason is that the residues of the cleaning liquid could get into the intake manifold, where they will begin to be burned. In the worst cases, even white smoke may appear in the exhaust gases. This is fine; after restarting the described phenomena disappear.
