A vehicle’s throttle body is responsible for managing the amount of air flowing into the internal combustion engine.
It is essentially a butterfly valve positioned between the intake manifold and the air intake filter.
Whenever you press the accelerator pedal to speed up your vehicle, the engine control unit sends a signal to the throttle body to allow more air into the engine. As more air enters the internal combustion chamber, more fuel is also injected. This way, the engine can meet the driver’s power demands.
The throttle body has many areas, such as the blade and throttle bore, that need regular cleaning using a throttle body cleaner. As you drive your vehicle, carbon deposits and debris accumulate over time on the throttle body. If left uncleaned for too long, this will decrease your engine’s performance. The best throttle body cleaner will quickly restore this lost performance and prevent future damage.
Ignoring the issue can also affect your ability to start the engine or your car’s ability to idle smoothly with the heat or air conditioning on. These symptoms are due to carbon buildup or other debris preventing the correct amount of air from entering your engine.
For the reasons above, it is important to clean your throttle body regularly. You can either pay a mechanic to do it for you or do it yourself. If you choose the latter, you just need to know which throttle body cleaners are the best. Here is what I consider to be the top 5 throttle body cleaners available.
1 – CRC Throttle Body & Air Intake Cleaner
The popular CRC throttle body cleaner is my favorite and one of the most popular cleaners among professional mechanics. It quickly cleans the most gummed-up throttle bodies to restore lost performance and potentially increase your gas mileage. Your engine will be like new again, and the best part is the price. Make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area.
2 – Mag 1 Carburetor and Choke Cleaner 1414
Mag 1 cleaner does not contain chlorination and is formulated to quickly remove varnish and sludge, especially when it’s on your oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. And since it’s non-chlorinated, none of the colors will be stripped from the components. You should notice the cleaning results fairly quickly.
3 – CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner
The CRC mass air flow sensor cleaner is great for cleaning the throttle body and sensors. A convenient time to use it is while changing your air filter. The formula is safe to use on plastics and it dries very quickly. It’s a light solution that will provide you with better power and miles per gallon. Then you’ll spend less money at the gas station the next time you fill up your tank.
4 – Berryman Chemtool Throttle Body Cleaner
The Berryman throttle body cleaning formula works to remove any varnish, gum, carbon deposits, and fuel residue that have built up on your throttle body and all its related components. Once the debris is dissolved, you shouldn’t see any further residue afterward. Even better, your fuel economy will improve along with your overall driving experience.
5 – 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner
Your engine’s performance will certainly improve with the 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner. The can has a well-positioned trigger for easy application of the cleaning solution. It is perfectly safe to use on oxygen sensors and all the plates of your throttle body. When you’re done applying it, starting your engine should be much smoother.