All vehicle owners can be divided into two categories. The first category includes car enthusiasts who not only love to drive a car, but also do not deny themselves the pleasure of carrying out minor repairs and maintenance work on their own if necessary. The second category includes car owners who do not like to look under the hood of the car and prefer to use the services of specialized car services. The information provided in this article will be of interest specifically to the first category of motorists, because further we will talk about how to clean the throttle valve without the services of service station specialists.
How does the throttle assembly work?
On one side of the throttle valve there is an air filter, on the other there is an intake manifold. When you press the gas pedal, the throttle valve opens slightly, allowing air flow to flow freely into the manifold. The harder the accelerator pedal is pressed, the more the throttle opens and the more air is supplied to the intake manifold. Next, the air is mixed with the fuel mixture and supplied to the engine. The volume of air-fuel mixture that enters the internal combustion engine affects the number of engine revolutions. Obviously, this part of the car performs an important task, so periodic cleaning of the throttle valve is a mandatory procedure that affects the smooth operation of the engine.
Main causes of clogging
While driving, oil particles and crankcase gases inevitably fall from the internal combustion engine onto the internal and external walls of the throttle valve. The air filter cannot retain all the dust passing through it, as a result of which some of it also settles on the throttle assembly. This inevitably causes the formation of deposits and oil stains inside the throttle valve and on its surface, which in turn negatively affects the normal functioning of this structural element of the intake system.
Main signs of contamination:
- unstable engine start;
- failures in engine operation during idling;
- the appearance of slight jerking of the vehicle while driving at low speed.
Safety precautions
Cleaning the throttle valve, like most other work carried out in the engine compartment of a car, is recommended to be done when the engine is completely cool.
The vehicle must be on a level surface with the parking brake engaged or in a low gear, and there must be wheel chocks under the wheels.
Methods for cleaning the throttle valve
There are two ways to clean the throttle valve yourself in a garage environment.
Surface cleaning process
Superficial cleaning is a simple but ineffective method of combating dirt that accumulates on the throttle assembly. This method does not require dismantling the throttle valve, because it is assumed that deposits and oil stains will be removed exclusively from its surface.
To perform surface cleaning you must have:
- any active solvent cleaning agent,
- rags.
First of all, the throttle body is disconnected from the air filter bellows. Next, you can proceed directly to the process of removing oil stains and deposits. The cleaning agent is applied to the accessible surface of the throttle assembly, after which the dirt is removed using a rag. As you can see, the main advantage of this method is the simplicity and speed of its execution.
A significant disadvantage is that it is not possible to clean the throttle valve completely. It will also not be possible to free the holes and channels of the assembly from the dirt accumulated in them.
Full cleaning process
Complete cleaning is a more labor-intensive process that allows you to most effectively remove dirt particles and oil stains from the internal and external surfaces of the throttle assembly.
To complete this work, the following materials and tools are required:
- cleaning agent,
- rags
- set of flat and Phillips screwdrivers,
- original throttle body gasket,
- socket wrench (jaw size 13 mm),
- can of compressed air.
To thoroughly clean the throttle assembly, it must be completely removed. The throttle body, as in the previous case, must be disconnected from the air filter bellows. Then the gas cable that opens and closes the throttle valve is removed, and the pipes carrying the coolant are dismantled (it should be drained into a previously prepared container). After this, the old throttle body gasket is removed (a new one is installed instead during assembly), and the bolts securing the valve are unscrewed. Sometimes remnants of an old gasket can be found on the intake manifold. In this case, they must be removed.
After removing the throttle assembly, the idle speed sensor and throttle position sensor are disconnected and cleaned. Using a can of compressed air, all channels and openings are blown out. A cleaning agent is applied directly to the throttle valve, which after 15-20 minutes must be removed along with oil stains and deposits using a rag. Assembly of the unit is carried out strictly in the reverse order.
You can get more detailed information about cleaning the throttle valve yourself by watching the video.
Practice shows that during the procedure you should not apply a cleaning agent to the rubber and plastic parts of the assembly, because this may cause their partial or complete destruction.
Photo
Cleaning the throttle body is a necessary maintenance procedure for any modern car. The purpose of the throttle valve is very large, it is to regulate the amount of air that enters the intake manifold to mix with fuel and form an air-fuel mixture, and if it is dirty and not maintained, then its operation is disrupted, and as a result, the operation of the entire car is disrupted.
Why does the engine need air?
The entire operation of internal combustion engines is based on combustion. As you know, for fuel combustion, a gas is required, which will act as an oxidizer. In our case, this gas will be oxygen, which is contained in the air. When this gas is mixed with fuel, the result is a mixture that can easily ignite in the engine cylinders. In gasoline engines, ignition is facilitated by a spark plug, and in diesel engines, the formation of high pressure when this mixture is compressed in the cylinder due to the stroke of the piston.
Types of throttle valves
Flaps that open the air flow to the engine are present in any injection systems. Unlike a carburetor in which the damper is built-in, the damper on the injector is made more technologically and is a separate unit, it is called a throttle valve.
There are two types of dampers:
- Mechanical
- Electric
The throttle valve opens when you press the gas pedal. In the mechanical version of the throttle, the gas pedal is connected to the damper using a cable or rod. When you press the pedal the cable moves the throttle pawl and the valve opens.
On modern cars, you can often see the abbreviation EGAZ. This means that an electronic gas pedal and an electronic throttle are used.
The principle of operation of such a damper differs from a mechanical one in that the damper is moved not by a cable or rod, but by an electric motor that receives data from the car’s ECU. Data comes to the ECU from the electronic gas pedal.
It is believed that the EGAZ system allows you to save fuel, but in practice this is practically not noticeable, but the responsiveness of the gas pedal is much worse.
Why clean the throttle body
Cleaning the throttle valve is necessary so that the car engine can receive clean air without any obstacles that form in the form of deposits on the walls. The formation of these deposits is promoted by:
- Polluted air. Of course, all cars have an air filter. Throughout its entire service life, it filters the air intake from the engine. But unfortunately, it filters only large dust particles in the form of an abrasive, while the smallest ones manage to pass through it, some of it burns out in the engine, and some settles on the throttle valve and its components.
- Crankcase gases. On modern cars, crankcase gases are cleaned from oil in a special unit - an oil separator. Subsequently, they enter back into the engine through the intake, namely the throttle valve.
- Exhaust gases. Every year, environmental standards become more stringent. And manufacturers are forced to introduce more and more new systems to ensure it in car engines. One such system is the USR valve, the essence of which is to return a small amount of exhaust gases back to the engine through the throttle valve.
And now we conclude that the oil particles that are in the crankcase gases are mixed with combustion products from the exhaust gases, with dust and fine abrasives from the external air, and all this settles in the throttle valve. After thousands of kilometers, a solid layer of this substance forms inside it, which disrupts the proper operation of the throttle valve.
When is it time to clean your throttle body?
If you notice the signs described below on your car, then you need to visit a service station soon and clean the throttle.
- The idle speed began to float, the engine runs unevenly
- It's hard to start the car (especially when it's hot)
- Noticeable increase in fuel consumption
- Deterioration in dynamics (it feels like someone is holding the car from behind when accelerating)
- Jerking at the beginning of movement at low speeds
You can see the condition of the damper yourself; to do this, you need to remove the air filter pipe and look into the throttle. If you see carbon deposits on the walls, and the flap tongue is black and not golden, then there is only one conclusion that needs to be cleaned.
Why is it better to clean the throttle valve at a service station?
Cleaning the electronic throttle body yourself is not a good idea. Some throttle valves will not function properly after cleaning and require adaptation, which requires special, expensive equipment. Usually the average car enthusiast does not have such equipment, and he will not be able to make the adaptation himself.
There is nothing complicated in the cleaning process itself, but since cars are now high-tech, they themselves regulate the idle speed. When carbon deposits form on the throttle walls over time, the car's ECU takes this into account and opens the throttle to the desired position, taking this carbon deposit into account. And when the layer of this carbon deposits is washed off, malfunctions occur and the idle speed begins to float, since the ECU has already adapted to the valve on which carbon deposits are present.
In order to correct the situation, you need to reset the damper adaptation. This is done using special diagnostic equipment, which is available only in service centers or at a specialized technical station for the brand of your car.
How to clean the throttle valve
Various manufacturers of automotive chemicals offer a number of products for cleaning the throttle body and its components. You can, of course, use the products you have on hand, such as alcohol or acetone. But in some cases they will not be effective and may even harm the device, so experts advise using specialized cleaners.
We have provided a table that, in our opinion, contains the most popular products among service stations and auto mechanics.
* Prices are presented for the Moscow region for 2017; in the regions the price may be different.
How to clean the throttle body yourself
If you decide that you can clean the throttle valve yourself, then here are brief instructions on how to properly clean the throttle valve
Cleaning algorithm:
- Remove the air filter, disconnect the wires leading to the damper, and unscrew the damper from the intake manifold. Dismantle the damper.
- In order to clean, you need to stock up on soft rags and cleaning agent.
- Fill all contaminated areas of the damper with cleaning agent and let stand for 5-10 minutes until the deposits are soaked.
- Carefully remove dirt inside and outside, without using additional force or pressing the flap tongue.
- Rinse and clean everything well again
- Reassemble everything in reverse order and make adaptations if required.
Attempts to clean the throttle valve yourself can lead to its incorrect operation in the future and failure. Before cleaning the throttle body, read the relevant documentation for the vehicle, as well as any possible consequences if it is not cleaned correctly.
If a special anti-friction coating is applied to the damper walls of your car, then you should be especially careful and very gentle when cleaning the damper valve and the damper walls, since damage to this coating can lead to improper operation and the inability to adapt.
How long does it take to clean the throttle valve?
There is no regulation as to when to clean the throttle valve, so you should monitor this yourself and check the state of contamination if the slightest symptoms appear.
Result:
It is worth noting that after cleaning the throttle, you will feel that the car drives as it should. Jerks will disappear, the engine will run smoother, and the car's dynamics will increase. Driving such a car will be a pleasure.
Cleaning the throttle valve is an important step in the functioning of the car, so it must be approached with full responsibility. What is this damper? This mechanism is considered one of the parts of the intake tract of any vehicle, thanks to which it is possible to regulate the amount of air entering the throttle assembly to form an air-fuel mixture in the car. If this part of the car is in a faulty condition, much less air will penetrate into the manifold, which will significantly worsen the performance of the car. That is why every driver should know how to properly clean the throttle valve and what requirements must be taken into account when washing.
Most of the engines that power cars operate thanks to the fuel that enters the cylinders of this spare part. In them, all the fuel gradually burns out, which generates energy with which the pistons move and the vehicle moves.
In order for the fuel to ignite without problems, a spark must appear in the engine (it can be diesel or gasoline). However, if there is, there may still not be enough energy for movement, since the fuel must not only ignite, but also maintain such combustion. But in order for it to be carried out without problems, it is important to give the flame gas, in other words referred to as oxygen.
It is known that there is quite a lot of such “gas” around us, so it can easily be combined with fuel, thereby obtaining a fuel-air mixture that quickly and easily ignites, which occurs in the inside of the engine.
In order for air to freely penetrate into the car, and this to be carried out in strict regulation, the vehicle must be equipped with a throttle unit, the design of which will have a special damper that regulates air flows.
Today, two types of such dampers are known, namely:
- mechanical;
- electromechanical, which includes a control unit.
This valve is closely connected to the pedal, which produces gas. By pressing it, the damper instantly opens, which facilitates the penetration of air into the manifold. In this way, the mixture is supplied with oxygen, which ultimately allows the vehicle to function normally. However, this method of car operation is used only on old cars - on modern cars, the electronic opening of this damper is used, which is regulated using a control unit. He himself reads all the indicators of the sensors located in the car, after which he makes a decision on what form the damper should be in at the moment.
Compared to a mechanical drive, a modern one, that is, an electronic one, opens the damper even if the driver does not press the pedal with his foot.
As a result, this design makes it possible to comply with most modern environmental requirements, and also ensures driver safety and reduces the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle.
Why do they clean the throttle valve, and why is this manipulation carried out every 10 thousand kilometers? This must be done so that the car can function normally. Just like many vehicle parts require cleaning, you should not forget about the dampers. After all, without an air flow, you can’t wait for the car to move normally.
Why does it come time to clean the throttle body sooner or later? The most common problem is blockage.
This can happen for some reasons, namely:- Road dust. Although the throttle valve is located immediately behind the filter, small dust particles still penetrate into the throttle, gradually contaminating it. If the filter itself is clogged, then large dust particles will already penetrate into the throttle assembly, which will cause contamination in a short time.
- Ventilation of gases. On most modern vehicles, crankcase gases are completely cleared of oil particles and then enter the intake system along with normal air flow. This manipulation is carried out in the throttle assembly. This removal of gases complies with all environmental standards.
- Re-burning of previously exhaust gases. This system began to be used recently, but in a short time it managed to become popular among car manufacturers. The gases that were previously exhausted do not exit with the air, but again enter the throttle, and then into the engine, where they continue their combustion process. As a result, the vehicle releases much less harmful substances into the atmosphere, but clogs the damper more.
Why does the valve become clogged? Oil particles mix with carbon components, as well as dust, resulting in a dense film that forms on the damper, which is formed after each car operation.
After tens of kilometers of driving, such dirt will disrupt the functioning of the car or disable the entire throttle assembly, the replacement of which is not only difficult, but also expensive.
Therefore, if there is a large layer of dirt, the engine cannot function normally, which means that the car owner is recommended to wash the throttle valve, and then the car will work normally again.
How often do you need to clean the damper, performing this manipulation
If you notice such “symptoms” in your vehicle, it is important to immediately inspect the integrity of the throttle assembly, and then immediately begin cleaning it.
These signs include:
- the appearance of floating speeds, which are easy to detect when the engine is idling (they can be noticed by the appearance of unevenness and lack of coherence in the functioning of the engine);
- the tachometer needle will always be in motion;
- difficulties starting the engine (this phenomenon occurs even if the engine has just stalled and remains hot);
- increased fuel consumption compared to the previous operation of the machine;
- loss of power in a vehicle with a large engine volume.
To determine whether the throttle valve needs to be cleaned, you need to inspect it. What does this give? Thanks to this manipulation, it is possible to understand the condition of the valve, as well as assess the degree of contamination. To remove this part, you need to remove the pipe that comes from the air filter, and then look into the throttle assembly. If it is dirty, it will be noticeable by a layer of dirt on the body and walls of the spare part.
Of course, it is better to contact a car service to clean the damper, but if the driver has extra time and desire, this manipulation can be carried out at home, especially since all designs of the throttle assembly are approximately the same.
Recommendations for cleaning the damper that can be given to novice car enthusiasts:- if you start cleaning, then the throttle should be removed completely in order to clean not only the outer part, but also the inside;
- The cleaning product should be chosen carefully so that it does not harm the car parts;
- When cleaning, do not use rough cloths or brushes with hard bristles, as they can damage the molybdenum layer, which is necessary for improved air passage;
- The damper is cleaned once every 10 thousand kilometers, so it is not recommended to carry out this manipulation too often.
Why clean the damper, and what does this manipulation give?
Cleaning has a positive effect not only on the throttle assembly, but also allows the car to work normally.
How often should the part be cleaned? It should be done infrequently so as not to spoil the condition of this unit.
The process for cleaning the damper is as follows:
- Remove the pipe leading from the filter to the throttle. To do this, you just need to loosen the screw located on the clamp.
- Disconnect the 2 hoses, which are also attached with a clamp. They are located on both sides of the part. After this, disconnect the contact located on the throttle.
- We unscrew the bolts that are located around the base of the unit, while gradually removing the assembly from the manifold.
- We wash the removed spare part - for this we use a liquid intended for washing the carburetor, which is called carb cleaner. It is important to note that after removing a part, it must be cleaned immediately.
- After the liquid has been drained, it is advisable to replace the rubber gasket.
- Now we wipe the part again with a good cloth, and then assemble the throttle assembly in the reverse order (if the unit is dirty, wash it with the product again).
What should you pay attention to?
Cheap compounds should not be used, as they will contain aggressive elements that will not have the best effect on the condition of the throttle assembly. On average, this detergent should cost 100-150 rubles. It is important to use a soft, lint-free cloth for wiping.
As you can see, cleaning the damper is not at all difficult. Before you let the professionals wash the damper so that they can clean it and put it in order, you need to try to do this manipulation yourself, because it is not difficult to do - everyone who washed it says that it takes 20 minutes.
The throttle valve performs the function of regulating the air supply to the intake manifold in the engine. It can be equipped with a mechanical drive or an electric motor, which is responsible for its timely opening and closing. The position of the throttle valve is controlled by a sensor that transmits information to the electronic control unit. Depending on the information received, the car’s “brain” adjusts the operation of the engine.
When operating a car in Russian realities, the driver must take care of timely cleaning of the throttle valve in order to prevent engine malfunctions. Without reacting to the formation of carbon deposits on the throttle valve, the driver risks losing engine power, encountering problems with ignition and other troubles.
Symptoms of a dirty throttle body
Problems in the operation of the throttle assembly have common symptoms, but they do not always arise due to the formation of deposits on the throttle valve. These can be caused by drive malfunctions and other malfunctions. Typical signs of a clogged throttle valve are:
- The engine does not operate stably at idle - it stalls, the speed “floats”;
- Starting the engine is difficult;
- At speeds less than 20 km/h, the car jerks when you press the accelerator pedal.
When checking a car's throttle assembly for the causes of a malfunction, you should pay attention to the condition of the throttle valve, even if it is not the source of the problem. It is better to clean the mechanism in advance in order to delay as much as possible the formation of deposits on it that prevent the stable operation of the motor.
What causes throttle valve contamination?
The formation of deposits in the throttle assembly is a process that cannot be prevented. Carbon deposits on the walls of the throttle valve and on the mechanism itself appear as a result of:
If a large amount of deposits forms in the throttle valve mechanism, it will no longer perform its functions properly. Contamination will lead to turbulence when air is supplied and a decrease in the estimated volume that the ECU calculates. Also, carbon deposits on the throttle valve can lead to incomplete closing of the valve and the passage of excess air.
How to clean the throttle body
There is an opinion that it is possible to clean the throttle valve without removing the assembly. This option is possible, but only in conditions of extreme necessity, since it will not be possible to effectively remove carbon deposits using such cleaning. This method allows you to remove deposits directly from the damper itself, while deposits will remain on the walls and air channels, and soon the problem will manifest itself again.
Proper cleaning of the throttle body begins with dismantling the assembly located between the intake manifold and the air filter. Depending on the vehicle, the process for removing the assembly may vary slightly, but on most vehicles it should be done in the following sequence:
Please note: When removing the throttle assembly, it is better to immediately clean the junction with the intake manifold, where a new gasket will need to be installed during assembly.
Once the throttle assembly is removed, you can begin cleaning. To do this, you will need to purchase a special product from a car store. A budget option for a cleaner is to use the “Carbcleaner” product, which is designed to remove carbon deposits from the carburetor.
Attention: Before using chemicals, remove all rubber elements from the throttle assembly.
The basic rules for cleaning the throttle valve are as follows:
After cleaning and completely drying the throttle assembly, you can reassemble the engine in the reverse order of removal.
The engine runs unstable after cleaning the throttle body
On some vehicles, after cleaning the throttle body, it may be necessary to adjust the assembly. It depends on the type of damper control.
Mechanical throttle control system
After cleaning the throttle assembly with a mechanical throttle control system, you will need to adjust the idle air control. It is performed according to the following standard algorithm:
After adjusting the mechanical throttle control system, the engine may need to run 150-200 kilometers until idle speed returns to normal.
It can cause engine malfunction, causing a significant drop in power and deterioration in vehicle acceleration dynamics. Over time, this element tends to become dirty, so in order to prevent such problems with the car, you need to know how to properly clean the throttle valve. Today we will look at how you can do it yourself.
What is this part for?
To begin with, let's devote a few words to the purpose of the throttle valve and its role in the operation of the engine and the car as a whole. The main function of this element is to supply air to the manifold.
In operating condition, its valve is in the fully open position. After air is mixed with fuel, a fuel-air mixture is formed. Then it enters the combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, the concentration and proportionality of the air content in a given mixture directly affects the quality of the engine, as well as its power and traction characteristics. When the engine stops working, the valve closes and the air supply stops. But the valve does not always close when the engine is turned off. This also happens when the engine is running. All you need to do is simply release the gas pedal. By the way, when the engine is turned off, when we press the accelerator, we also open the valve. It works silently, but if you release the pedal sharply, you will hear a characteristic click from under the hood - this will be the sound of the throttle valve closing. And the pedal is connected to this element using a mechanical drive. This is how most modern dampers are designed.
What signs indicate a clogged valve?
Firstly, this may be indicated by frequent problems starting the engine. Secondly, a clogged valve sometimes provokes jerking while driving, especially at the start. Engine performance at idle also noticeably deteriorates (the speed begins to “float” of its own accord). And thirdly, this is a noticeable deterioration in the acceleration dynamics of the car.
Nuances
However, it is impossible to say that all of the above signs indicate a malfunction of the damper.
There are many other factors. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to check the condition of the spark plugs, the fuel filter (which also tends to clog over time) and the throttle position sensor. If all these elements are in good condition, most likely the damper does require cleaning.
Why is this happening?
A mixture of oil and air, as well as various microparticles of road dust passing through the air filter, can gradually cover the surface of parts and components of the engine compartment, as a result of which the throttle valve is severely affected. This does not happen often, but this part must be cleaned at least once a year. Otherwise, incorrect engine operation will be inevitable.
Cleaning options
Before we tell you about all the stages of cleaning, we note that the throttle valve can be treated with any solvent, both superficially and completely. Among such products are gasoline, white alcohol and WD 40. But compared to specialized substances intended specifically for cleaning valves, they are less effective and therefore are only suitable for external treatment. This is used only if there are no heavily ingrained particles of dust and dirt on the part. In more advanced cases, it is best to use a full cleaning. It is the most effective and efficient.
How to clean the throttle valve yourself? Preparing tools
Before you begin this operation, you need to prepare the following materials:
Once you have the entire set, you can safely get to work.
How to clean the throttle body assembly yourself?
First you need to find the place where this part is located. The throttle valve is located in front of the intake manifold. So, first we remove the decorative plastic engine cover (if it is provided for by the design of your car). Next, unscrew the plug. This will reduce the pressure level in the car’s cooling system. After this, remove the air pipe ventilation hose. The last element should be carefully inspected for traces of oil. If they are present there, it means that the thin ventilation channel in the throttle assembly is clogged.
Now, actually, about how to clean the throttle valve. Next, take a Phillips screwdriver and loosen the two clamps. Then we dismantle the damper heating hose (can be plugged with car spark plugs). Then we take out the hose of the fuel tank ventilation system (to do this, use a screwdriver to unscrew another clamp). Now all that remains is to remove the cable and two nuts of the throttle assembly.
We have already completed half of the work; we can proceed to the most important step - cleaning the damper parts from dirt and other deposits. To do this, take the purchased cleaner and wash the damper and all its channels. Also pay attention to the forced ventilation duct. It is this unit that is the most coked (sometimes you need to use a steel knitting needle or a long needle to clean it). The throttle sensor also takes on dust, so we also remove it and clean it of deposits.
How to clean the throttle valve after this? Now you should rinse the channel in the unit body. By the way, if it has not been changed for more than 100 thousand kilometers, it is better to install a new one in its place. Also, if necessary, the IAC rod is changed (but only if it has a large backlash or is coked to such an extent that it cannot be completely cleaned). Pay attention to the gasket of the throttle assembly. When cleaning the damper, it is recommended to replace it immediately. That’s it, at this stage the question “how to clean the throttle sensor and parts assembly” can be considered closed. After this, you need to assemble all the parts in reverse order and check the result. As a result, the engine should get a “second wind”. After cleaning the damper, it will begin to work normally, without jerking or loss of power.
Conclusion
So, we found out how to clean the throttle valve. Priora (VAZ-2170) and many other passenger cars are repaired precisely according to this principle. Therefore, these instructions can be used for absolutely any SUV or car.
As you can see, you can clean the damper from dirt and dust yourself. The main thing is to choose a really high-quality cleaner and do not forget about safety measures when working with such products.
