Three things to know: how to clean the throttle valve and why is it needed?

The principle of operation of the throttle of an injection engine

The main idea of ​​​​using an injector is to inject strictly dosed portions of fuel mixed with air into the engine. The ratio of the amount of fuel to air is called the degree of enrichment. The pump is responsible for supplying fuel, and air is sucked from the atmosphere through an air duct with a filter system. What does cleaning the throttle valve ? Let's figure it out now.

At low loads, the engine is supplied with a lean mixture, which, when burned, produces relatively little energy. A small amount of power is enough to do small jobs. The engine needs relatively little air to burn small amounts of fuel.

As load increases, more fuel is supplied to the engine to produce maximum power. In order for the enriched mixture to burn completely, a sufficient amount of oxygen is required. Thus, it is necessary to regulate the air supply. This is what the throttle valve is responsible for.

When the piston moves down, the volume of the cylinder increases, creating a vacuum in the air intake system. Air from the atmosphere is drawn into the combustion chamber and mixed with the injected fuel. A portion of fuel is dosed by a pump, and the amount of air is dosed by the cross-section of the air duct. It is the throttle that regulates the cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct. Essentially, this unit controls the flow of air into the engine.

Why clean

The air mixture supplied to the intake tract of a car engine is needed for efficient combustion of fuel in the chamber. If there is not enough air or its volume does not correspond to that required for a given engine operating mode, then the fuel-air mixture will be burned less efficiently. This leads to unstable engine operation, a drop in power, and an increase in fuel consumption.

Prolonged operation of the machine with a contaminated damper can also lead to damage to engine parts.

The elements of the cylinder-piston group of the combustion chamber are designed to work with a certain volume and composition of the fuel-air mixture.

Why and when is it necessary to clean the throttle valve of a carburetor engine?

The first reason for a clogged throttle is low-quality gasoline. This is a very common reason why the throttle body needs cleaning . Various additives added to increase the octane number of the fuel precipitate. This dirt sooner or later gets into the throttle and turns into carbon deposits.

The second factor is that microparticles of motor oil enter the damper and penetrate through the crankcase ventilation system. Small particles that enter the air duct from the atmosphere stick to the oil film. A thicket of oil and dust interferes with the normal movement of the damper, which inevitably affects the operation of the engine.

The third reason is a clogged fuel filter. Pieces of dirt from the filter element, which was not replaced with a new one in time, enter the fuel system. There is a high chance that dirt from the filter will get onto the throttle valve. If the throttle is clogged, the valve may not move as engineers intended. At low opening angles there is critically little air, because of this the fuel does not even ignite - the engine stalls.

The fourth factor is air dust. This is a fairly common reason that requires cleaning the throttle body of a Ford , VAZ or any other car. Dust enters the throttle body either through a faulty air filter or as a result of damage to the air duct. Small particles interfere with the normal movement of the damper.

Throttle control systems

If we talk about models with mechanical throttle control, most likely the motorist needs to change the configuration of the idle air control. It is performed as follows:

• 
  You need to release the battery from the terminals for 15 minutes;

• Then they should be put back on and the engine started. Leave it idling for at least 10 minutes. While the motor is operating, do not use additional energy consumers;
• After the set time has passed, turn off the engine for about ten seconds and then start it back;
• Wait until the motor warms up to operating temperatures, after which you can begin further use;

Having figured out how to set up the mechanical control system for the throttle assembly, you need to provide the engine with 150-200 kilometers of operation, which will allow idling to normalize.

As for electric models, they are configured as follows:

• To begin with, the engine starts and warms up to operating temperature;
• Then it needs to be turned off for 10 seconds;
• Next, turn on the ignition for about three seconds;
• After that, all that remains is to press the accelerator pedal 5-7 times for 5 seconds (one press per second);
• After 7 seconds, you need to press the gas pedal all the way and hold it in this position until the engine check notification starts to light continuously;
• After three seconds, release the gas pedal and start the engine;

When performing such an action, follow the established guidelines and do not make irreparable mistakes.

It is also useful to read: Heat-resistant insulation for muffler

If you neglect to clean the throttle body

If you neglect to clean the damper , you will not be able to accurately adjust the cross-section of the air duct. The dirt accumulated in this unit will interfere with the lid, both opening and closing within the designed range.

Now it’s clear why many drivers note that after cleaning the throttle valve, many problems disappear as if by hand. Examples of malfunctions caused by throttle contamination:

• the engine starts with difficulty;
• at idle speed fluctuates;
• the engine runs unevenly, jerks when changing gears;
• The revs drop until the engine stops completely.

Correct operation of the throttle valve after cleaning allows you to accurately dose the volume of air entering the engine. In this way, a moment is reached when the degree of enrichment of the air-fuel mixture is optimal.

How much does cleaning cost at a car service center?

When cleaning yourself, the costs depend only on the cost of the selected liquid. As a rule, this amount is around 100–500 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and store.

The technician will tell you how much it costs to clean the throttle valve at a service center after preliminary diagnostics. Remember that the appearance of signs of contamination does not mean that only cleaning is required - there may be malfunctions of the air and fuel supply unit. Therefore, it is impossible to give an exact price without checking.

You can clean the car engine damper yourself, but if you do not have special skills, it is definitely better to contact the experts at a specialized car service center. In this case, you will definitely save time and will not be afraid of damage to the elements of the injection system, which you can cause by unqualified actions.

Ordering a service at a car repair shop

Traditionally, cleaning the throttle valve of a VAZ or any other car is done by completely removing the assembly. In a car service, this work is performed by qualified craftsmen. As a rule, special products are used to clean the carburetor. The main thing is to remove all dirt.

Washing without removal

Some car owners prefer flushing, that is, cleaning the throttle valve using flushing agents without dismantling the assembly itself. As already mentioned, it will most likely not be possible to achieve the desired effect without removing it, however, it would not be a waste, especially if there is no possibility of complete cleaning. For flushing, professional carburetor cleaning aerosols or improvised means (WD-40) are also used.

To wash without removal, you also need to disconnect the air filter pipe. Then, with the damper closed, spray the aerosol on its surface and remove the deposits with a rag. After this, open the damper and treat the side surfaces and channels with a cleaning agent.

Do-it-yourself throttle cleaning

If you decide to clean the damper yourself, you will have to disassemble the air supply system to the engine. The first step is to remove the negative terminal of the battery. The next step is to carefully remove the clamps and remove the pipe leading from the air filter to the throttle body. Next, you need to unscrew the throttle valve mounting bolts. Now you need to disconnect the remote control position sensor connector.

Spray the carburetor cleaner onto the dismantled throttle. Then you need to remove all dirt with a rag. The action must be performed until the metal becomes light. Just do not scrub the part with a hard brush or use abrasive powders!

The throttle valve must be cleaned every 30-40 thousand kilometers. Every 10-15 thousand kilometers, it is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning of the unit without removing it from the car.

To perform these procedures you need to have some knowledge and skills. Otherwise, you risk making the problem worse. Inept actions will lead to the fact that you will simply have to buy a new unit.

For example, cleaning the throttle body of Nissan and Mitsubishi should be done with extreme caution. If, unknowingly, the special protective layer of molybdenum is removed along with the dirt, the tightness will be broken - the throttle will allow more air to pass through. Another problem is that the smooth movement of the damper will be disrupted; it will move jerkily. You'll have to buy a new device. A node with such a malfunction cannot be restored.

Read more about the merger of the SUPROTEC and Approved brands...

Suprotec fuel system cleaners, as well as soft cleaning additives for Suprotec Aprokhim fuel SGA (for gasoline) and SDA (for diesel) have similar characteristics. The effectiveness of the products has been confirmed by tests at the National Research Technological University MISiS.

avtoexperts.ru

The throttle valve (hereinafter referred to as DZ) on a car serves to accurately dose the amount of air when preparing the air-fuel mixture, and engine operation in all modes depends on its good condition.

Causes of remote sensing pollution:

• Exhausted fuel and air filters;

• Poor quality fuel;

• Wear of the cylinder-piston group;

• Malfunction of the crankcase ventilation system.

The photo shows a dirty throttle valve

So, when the cylinder-piston group wears out, the breakthrough of gases into the engine crankcase increases, where carbon particles also enter along the way. This, in turn, in addition to oxidation of the engine oil, causes its contamination with various deposits.

After starting the engine, the operation of the crankshaft and connecting rods produces an oil mist in the sump, consisting of gases and various impurities, which enter the engine control unit through the crankcase ventilation system, causing the appearance of oil and tar deposits and a layer of durable soot.

All this, in turn, leads to the damper axis biting, its loose fit to the walls of the housing or its wedging during operation. Accordingly, this is reflected in the operation of the power plant, expressed in:

• unstable startup;

• floating idle;

• loss of dynamics and power;

• increased fuel consumption.

Before you start cleaning the remote control, if the above listed signs are detected, it is recommended to carry out a visual inspection of it. If there are no strong deposits or carbon deposits on the damper axis or diffuser walls, then most likely the problem is caused by other reasons and cleaning itself will not change anything.

dirty Subaru throttle.

Frequency of cleaning the damper

Based on the experience of servicing and repairing the remote control, the need to clean it arises after a mileage of about 30-50 thousand kilometers, or earlier when signs of severe contamination are detected.

Means for removing dirt from the assembly

Cleaning the DZ can be done with various available means, such as solvent, WD40 and similar preparations. However, when using them, there is always some risk of their action on the inside of the motor. Today, there are special developments specifically for performing such operations for cleaning heavy contaminants that are harmless to the engine; these are the most common preparations such as:

• LIQUI MOLY DrosselKlappen-Reiniger (LM-5111) – 520 rubles;

• Mannol Carburetor Cleanor – 115 rubles;

• ABRO Carb&Choke Cleaner (CC-220) – 200 rub.

Throttle cleaner from Liqui-Molly

All of these compounds do an excellent job of cleaning any contaminants in the throttle assembly, and each car owner can make a choice according to his preference.

Methods for cleaning the damper

Cleaning the throttle assembly can be done either in place, without removing it from the engine, or by dismantling it. Better washing and cleaning is only possible with the removal of the remote control, when it becomes possible to clean all its most vulnerable places.

This is explained by the fact that without removing the unit it is impossible to get to the internal walls and the passage of the air channels, which will be a significant disadvantage during operation and may not give the desired effect.

Cleaning without removal

In this case, it is necessary to remove the air duct to get to the damper. Next, using one of the cleaning products, apply it to the walls of the diffuser and the damper itself (the damper is closed), then wipe everything thoroughly with a clean rag (not leaving lint).

Cleared remote sensing

Then you need to put the damper in the open position and remove dirt from its sides. Make every effort to get the cleaner into all channels of the unit.

Cleaning should be done carefully until clean metal appears, trying not to apply significant force.

Cleaning with dismantling of DZ

• The air duct between the damper and the air filter housing is removed;

Disconnect the air duct pipe

• Unscrew the assembly fasteners and remove all existing connectors;

DZ removed

• Apply detergent to all elements of the assembly and visible channels;

• Thoroughly wipe the treated surfaces with a clean cloth;

Cleaned

• Reassemble in the reverse order of removal, installing a new sealing gasket;

• Connect to the car's ECU and “train” the damper with new parameters.

Errors when cleaning the throttle valve assembly

Despite the apparent simplicity of the cleaning operation, many car enthusiasts, due to inexperience, make mistakes that, in addition to not giving the desired effect, can also cause harm to the unit or disable it.

So, you should not make great efforts when cleaning, as this can damage both the damper itself and its position sensor. Also, you cannot clean the damper using hard brushes, since on some models the walls of the diffuser and the damper itself are factory-coated with molybdenum.

Due to inexperience, many people mistake this coating for carbon deposits and remove it. This can lead to either wedging or the appearance of a gap and excess air leakage.

Upon completion of the work, the unit is not trained (adapted) with the new engine operating parameters and the required idle speed is not set.

For stable operation of the engine and extending the “life” of the throttle valve, we recommend cleaning it if a malfunction occurs, as well as for preventive maintenance after the above-mentioned 30-50 thousand kilometers.

How Suprotec cleaners and mild additives work

Cleaners "Suprotek Gasoline" and "Suprotek Diesel" have a pronounced effect. They effectively remove any deposits in fuel pumps, fuel lines and other components of the fuel supply system. Excellent for one-time cleaning of the fuel system of cars of any brand. Not suitable for daily use due to high aggressiveness - possible damage to engine components.

Suprotek Aprokhim SGA and SDA fuel additives act more gently than cleaners. These compositions can be used for a long time. The manufacturer recommends using them as a preventive measure that prevents deposits from accumulating on the throttle valve. Suprotec prevents the problem and doesn't give it a chance.

Many car owners in Russia and neighboring countries have seen from personal experience the effectiveness of Suprotek cleaners and additives. The use of these compounds allows you to clean the throttle valves of Ford, Nissan, VAZ and other brands by simply adding them to the fuel tank.

Basic cleaning rules

• When using the correct substance, apply it not to a specific area, but to the entire assembly, including the cavity around the flapper. It is important to get rid of deposits from the additional air intake channels;
• To ensure that the upcoming cleaning is as successful as possible, wait approximately 5-10 minutes after applying the product. Then it must be washed off and reapplied for a similar period;
• If you want to clean the damper from particularly “sticky” carbon deposits, use a soft cloth. Rough lint rags are not acceptable. The same goes for metal brushes, which can erase a layer of molybdenum (the substance is applied at the factory to ensure more productive air circulation);

After thoroughly cleaning and drying the throttle assembly, you can begin assembling the engine in the reverse order.

If the engine still runs rough after reassembly, the problem may be that the assembly is not adjusted correctly. It is carried out taking into account the type of control.

Cleaning products

Various manufacturers of automotive chemicals offer a number of products for cleaning the throttle body and its components. Some use products such as acetone or alcohol, but these can harm some parts of the assembly, so experts recommend using specialized cleaners with a special composition. Such a remedy will not have a detrimental effect on the element if everything is done correctly.

The most famous manufacturer of cleaning products is Liqui Moly, which has established itself as one of the best companies producing automotive chemicals. Liqui Moly Pro-Line is a liquid that can dissolve even strong deposits on nodes, which are easily removed after application. A special Liqui Moly Pro-line Drosselklappen-Reiniger with a long probe allows you to clean even inaccessible elements of the assembly, such as the intake valves of each cylinder.

There is also a line of specialized Suprotek cleaning products that can be poured directly into the gas tank. In this case, you can drive as usual, and the air supply system will clean itself, the main thing is not to forget to periodically add the product to the fuel.

Also, car enthusiasts often use a carburetor cleaner - Carbicleaner, which efficiently removes dirt in just a couple of minutes. In the absence of special means for cleaning the throttle, you can use WD-40 or even acetone, although this increases the likelihood of damage to some engine components.

Liqui Moly Cleaner

The product is made on the basis of a special active solvent that performs comprehensive cleaning of typical contaminants, deposits and carbon deposits that accumulate at the intake and throttle valves in cars with gasoline units. It can dissolve and remove all deposits such as oil, resin, glue and others.

In addition, it ensures reliable cleaning of injectors and internal parts, ensuring maximum functionality and movement of parts. At the same time, fuel consumption indicators are reduced. This option is only suitable for petrol units.

The product is sold in aerosol packaging based on a mixture of solvents. It is applied to the surface, resulting in dissolution, softening and cleaning of the throttle assembly from deposits. Among the advantages of this substance:

• fast and efficient cleaning of the unit;
• there is no mandatory need to dismantle the damper;
• simplicity and cost-effectiveness of operation;
• compatibility with catalysts;
• presence of a probe with a sprayer included;

With timely use of Liqui Moly, you will be able to effectively get rid of all kinds of defects on the valves.

Symptoms of pollution

1. It becomes difficult for the engine to switch from high speeds to lower speeds and vice versa.
2. The engine stalls while moving with shaking and has great difficulty restoring normal speed.
3. The engine stalls at idle speed.
4. Cold starting of the engine is difficult. In order to start the engine, you need to turn it with the starter for a long time.
5. You will smell gasoline from the exhaust pipe.
6. The first few minutes after starting the engine will “triple”.

It is recommended to clean the damper every 50-60 thousand kilometers . You should also periodically perform certain preventive actions.

Causes of pollution

A mixture of dust and oil particles slowly covers the surface of the valve during operation. This is especially noticeable in places where there are air turbulences.

If you do not clean it on time, then over time the thermal gap will become overgrown with such plaque. Also, the valve stroke in the damper, which regulates the idle speed of the car, will decrease.

Cleaning the damper

This work must be done with the engine turned off. You also need to wait until it cools down to avoid burns.

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