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While the oil, air filter, and tires are all given the magic touch, the throttle body remains untouched for thousands and thousands of miles. It’s a simple butterfly valve. It should be fine. Right? Eh. Maybe not.
Over countless hours of service, debris, and gunk are bound to build up on the throttle body. And though its job is pretty simple, the buildup is sure to present issues. Everything from poor performance to lousy fuel economy is on the menu when rolling with a grody throttle body.
Luckily, there’s not a whole lot you need to do to avoid the matter. Most cars call for a throttle body cleaning every 75,000 miles or so, and it only takes a few minutes to handle. While the specifics as to how it’s done varies depending on the car, the main component, throttle body cleaner, remains the same. And I’m here to help you decide which to use for your next service.
Summary List
- Best Overall: CRC Throttle Body and Air-Intake Cleaner
- Best Value: Berryman Products Chemtool
- Honorable Mention: WD-40 Throttle Body and Parts Cleaner
Our Methodology
Best Overall
CRC Throttle Body and Air-Intake Cleaner
Pros
- Affordable
- Works fast on light buildups
- Won’t harm coatings
Cons
- Less volume than some competitors
- Not the best for heavy carbon deposits
CRC throttle body cleaner is an obvious pick for Best Overall. It’s a favorite among enthusiasts and pros alike because it just works. It cuts through light deposits quickly and it won’t damage coatings on the blades or inside the throttle body. It’s also a lot more affordable than some other options, despite it’s effectiveness and favor of the masses.
It’s not the strongest solution, though. You can count on doing a little bit of scrubbing on particularly stubborn or large carbon deposits, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary anyway. Also, it’s a little on the light side as far as volume goes, so you’ll want an extra can to avoid falling short on the job.
Best Value
Berryman Products Chemtool
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for classics and late models
- High volume
Cons
- Can damage painted surfaces
- Has a hard time with heavy carbon deposits
If you’re the type to tinker around with carbs and other archaic instruments, you’re familiar with Berryman Chemtool. While its dips are the go-to for serious jobs, its aerosol variant is good to have around for light work to great effect. It can be used for both newer and older applications as well, which is great for well-decorated garages. It’s also far more affordable than some options, especially considering the higher-than-normal can volume at this price.
The drawback is that it’s not really that great for heavy deposits. While you’ll almost always need a brush for stubborn carbon, this seems to struggle more than most. That’s despite the high-strength of the formula, which can easily damage paint if you’re not careful.
Honorable Mention
WD-40 Throttle Body and Parts Cleaner
Pros
- Can be used for older engines
- Great for stubborn carbon deposits
- Offers more volume than some competitors
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t work as quickly as competitors
WD-40 may not be the first brand that comes to mind when dealing with throttle bodies, but it does offer an excellent cleaner for the purpose. This is a heavy-hitter that actually does better than most when combating carbon and other grimy deposits. It can also be used on carbs or throttle bodies, which is always a good thing for those with a diverse fleet.
It is more expensive than most other offerings. Even if it does have slightly more cleaner per can than some of the others on our list, the is considerably higher per ounce. It’s also worth noting that it takes a bit of time to work than the others, which can push consumers to scrub away harsh deposits anyway, negating the benefit of spending more on a stronger formula.
Our Verdict
It’s hard to put anything other than CRC Throttle Body and Air-Intake Cleaner at the top of this list. It’s a quality product people know they can depend on. However, the same can be said for Berryman Products Chemtool, which offers a price-per-ounce value that’s tough to beat.
FAQs
You have questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: When should I clean the throttle body?
A: In most instances, every 75,000 to 90,000 miles is what the owner’s manual suggests. However, you can clean it more frequently if you subject the vehicle to harsher-than-average driving conditions or notice issues with performance that indicate a dirty throttle body.
Q: What are the signs of a dirty throttle body?
A: Rough idling, poor performance, and lacking fuel economy are some indications that the throttle body is dirty. To confirm, simply remove the air intake tube and take a look inside. Be sure to cycle the butterfly valve and check the backside, as a lot of gunk can be hidden back there.
Q: Do I have to remove the throttle body to clean it?
A: Yes. You can try to leave it on the engine and may have luck doing so, but it’s best to simply remove it. It’s not that hard to do, and will ultimately make it easier to clean deposits you may otherwise struggle to reach.
