Causes of remote sensing pollution:
Exhausted filter resources;
Poor quality fuel;
Wear of the cylinder-piston group;
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;
Idling;
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.
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).
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;
Unscrew the assembly fasteners and remove all existing connectors;
Apply detergent to all elements of the assembly and visible channels;
Thoroughly wipe the treated surfaces with a clean cloth;
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 a lot of effort when cleaning, as this can damage both the damper itself and its position. 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.
Many car owners notice that over time, the car's speed begins to fluctuate, the engine starts poorly, some vibration appears at idle, the speed starts to freeze - all this can be associated with contamination of the throttle valve and its channels. Due to the adhering dirt, the damper begins to close poorly, jams, bites... STOP, where does the dirt come from???
The photo below shows dirty throttle valves of various car brands. Here it is that resinous, sandy, oily mud!
So, cars use a closed-type forced crankcase ventilation system to reduce emissions into the atmosphere. This means that during operation a small amount of oil and gas vapors fly from the engine crankcase from the combustion chamber, and also a small amount of dust passes through the air filter (especially a dirty one), and all this forms an oil-dust flow that settles on the walls of the intake manifold and throttle valve. Over time, this plaque only accumulates. There are other factors that influence throttle valve contamination, but we will focus on the fact that on every car, sooner or later this unit becomes dirty, and there is no escape from it. Therefore, just like any car undergoes scheduled maintenance, the throttle valve needs periodic maintenance.
Well? Are we cleaning? Of course we clean! With what?
We clean with a brush, a brush, do not spare the cleaner, blow with compressed air...
Well, okay, we cleaned everything, blew it out, dried it, tightened it, installed it and... DID NOT forget to check the air filter? Usually, if the throttle is very dirty, then the air filter is also in poor condition. Be sure to check the filter to make sure it doesn’t look like the one in the pictures below.
Well, okay, the filter was replaced, all the clamps were tightened, we looked at everything again to make sure that all the sensors were connected, all the hoses were connected. Are we launching? Drin-drin-drin.... it started, we are happy :) we look at the speed, it stays at 2000.... a few seconds passed - it holds, what is it? What's happened? Is something not connected? Perhaps, but as a rule we have not adapted (trained) a clean throttle, because... the damper was dirty, then the computer set a certain position of the damper (this applies only to the electronic damper) or the position of the idle air control (for a mechanical damper). We cleaned the electronic throttle valve on a Nissan car (pictured), which after cleaning must be adapted, that is, set the speed corresponding to idle speed - 600...750 revolutions. For this purpose, special diagnostic devices are usually used to carry out adaptation and reset training parameters, but training can be carried out manually. To adapt you will need to arm yourself with a stopwatch and patience :)
So, we are learning the throttle from the Nissan Serena. We warm up the engine to operating temperature (about 90 degrees), turn off the ignition - the engine stalls. We wait a few seconds and begin the learning procedure:
turn on the ignition, wait 3 seconds... one, two, three. Press the gas pedal all the way 5 times and release (this needs to be done quickly and within 5 seconds). You need to press at intervals of 1 time per second, so as not to lose the rhythm and not stretch out the time. Be sure to use a stopwatch for this. Next, wait 7 seconds and press the gas pedal all the way and hold it until the CHECK ENGINE light on the instrument panel starts blinking and then turns on continuously. When the CHECK ENGINE light 
starts to light up constantly, wait 3 seconds and release the gas pedal. We start the engine, the speed should drop to the idle speed we need. In this adaptation procedure, it is very important to maintain all time intervals, then the adaptation will be successful.
Video. We adapt the throttle valve with our own hands
Adapted? Are the revs normal? For us, yes, but if you cleaned the throttle valve on a Mitsubishi Lancer 4G18, then it’s not so simple. Especially if you tried very hard and washed off the molybdenum paint, which is applied from the factory around the perimeter of the throttle valve “heel”. Paint called " Molykote D321R Anti-Friction Coating". If anyone is interested, HERE is a link to the manufacturer. And below is a damper with this coating.
But washed-off paint is not as scary as the fact that on this type of engine the throttle valve “patch” wears out very badly over time. The damper constantly opens and closes, and the dirt at the end of the heel of the damper acts like sandpaper, and after cleaning a gap can form, the so-called “work-out” (see below).
What happens to the engine in this case? How does the electronic engine control unit react to such a large gap in the throttle body? Let's figure it out.
Correct adjustment of XX.
The photo above shows the normal operation of the idle speed control. Through the throttle 1. in the closed position, a minimum amount of air usually passes through (air flow through the damper 2. ), the gap between the throttle valve and the walls in the closed position is minimal, but still there. There is a special coefficient of air flow through the throttle; it takes into account the amount of air passing through a closed damper when regulating idle speed. Idle speed control 4. with minimal leakage, the pump sets a certain step (rod position 5. relative to the bypass channel 3. ) so that the idle speed is in the region of 600...750 revolutions (each engine is different), the number of steps is usually 20...40 steps.
The fewer steps the idle speed control sets 4. , the more the rod extends and closes bypass channel (little air passes through the channel). At zero pitch, no air flows at all. The more steps, the larger the stock opens the bypass channel and more air passes through.
In our case, rice 11. To maintain 750 rpm, the ECU (electronic control unit) set the idle speed control position to 20 steps (+/- several steps) on a warm engine - this corresponds to normal idle speed maintenance. In the parameters on the Mitsubishi Lancer this indicator is indicated as - ISC STEP.MTR 20STEP.
ISC is an abbreviation for Idle Speed Control Motor, i.e. in Russian “idle speed controller”, this is what this controller looks like! Photo below:)
In fact, it may look different on different cars, the main thing is that it performs the same function for all - maintaining and adjusting idle speed.
Video. Checking the idle air control yourself using the example of Toyota
But we have moved a little away from the topic, let's return to our discussion and look at the following figure 12. Let's imagine what will happen if through our throttle valve 1. more air will begin to pass through, that is, the gap between the throttle valve and the walls will become larger, resulting in air leakage 2. through the damper 1. will increase. If more air begins to flow through, then the idle speed will increase from 750 to.... for example, 1000 revolutions.
The engine control unit will begin to react to such a change and will try to set the speed corresponding to idle speed. It will send a command to the idle speed controller 4. reduce the number of steps by such a value that the revolutions become equal to 750. Let’s say from 20 steps he reduced this value to 5 and our revolutions returned to normal. But what happens if the gap between the throttle valve and the walls becomes so large that the regulator 4., completely closing the bypass channel 3., will not be able to achieve the speed we need. Let's imagine that by setting "0" steps ( ISC STEP.MTR 0STEP- this indicator corresponds to a completely closed bypass channel, in Fig. 12 this is shown with a red cross) the idle speed has not returned to normal and is 1000 revolutions, how will the engine ECU react then? Of course, the control unit will understand that the idle speed controller is not doing its job and will generate an error in the idle speed control system. In this case P0505- Idle Control System Malfunction. Many people seeing this error condemn the regulator to replacement. This may be the reason, but in this case it is not so, let’s look at the picture below.
Malfunction in the XX control system.
What to do in such a situation? The only thing that will help here is replacing the entire throttle block, or replacing the “patch” of the throttle valve (photo below).
So, we figured out how to clean the throttle valve on Nissan and Lancer. But what if we cleaned the electronic throttle valve on a Toyota Avensis and the rpm after cleaning still remains at around 2000, what then? If we don’t have a diagnostic tool for adaptation at hand, then we arm ourselves with a 10 key and unscrew the negative terminal of the battery for 10...15 seconds. After this action, the adaptation is reset, the learning parameters are reset to the factory settings, and after starting the engine, the speed returns to normal. The throttle valve shines and sparkles, delighting its owner :) But such a procedure, alas, does not work on all cars.
If you doubt that you can clean the throttle valve yourself, taking into account the characteristics of your car, then it is better to entrust this procedure to service center specialists who have extensive experience in this field.
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.
Cleaning the throttle valve worries owners of cars with a carburetor engine from time to time. But the good part about this little problem is the simplicity of this operation. Therefore, we will briefly outline the basic principle of the work that needs to be done if your engine begins to complain about this part.
Flushing the throttle body: what is this part?
The throttle valve is present in fuel injection systems and is responsible for the timely and sufficient supply of air to the system. The correct proportion of each component in the fuel-air mixture guarantees efficient combustion and, accordingly, good power. From here it becomes clear that any error in the operation of this part will affect the performance of the car, and will also worsen the quality of the mixture, and then the condition of the engine.
The damper is directly connected to the gas pedal or accelerator, as it is also called. When the driver presses the pedal, the damper opens using a cable, and the life cycle of the fuel-air mixture begins. Some cars have manual control of this process. But the method of repair and diagnosis does not depend on the principle of the throttle valve. This is exactly what we will talk about next.
Cleaning the throttle valve - how and when to clean it?
If you have already taken the trouble and read the operating manual for your car, you are convinced that this design is quite primitive, there is nothing to break, which means that it needs to be replaced or leveled in very extreme cases, if suddenly someone managed to mechanically damage it. But there are enough factors that could clog the damper itself or the housing in which it is enclosed. After all, it pumps ordinary air, which is far from crystal clear, and besides, oil vapors and crankcase gases are always present in the system. This all condenses, sticks and then makes it difficult for the part to work properly.
There are several signs that should make you at least take a look at the condition of the damper, and maybe clean it. The engine in such a situation is a little unruly, it stubbornly starts, gives dips and floating speed at idle, and can also jerk your car at low speeds. In such cases, check the condition of the intake system, and if you need to flush the throttle valve, then arm yourself with a cleaning aerosol and a cloth, because now we will go to save it.
How to clean the throttle valve - work progress
Cleaning is a simple process, but getting to your destination is much more difficult. The throttle valve is hidden in an air corrugation, which must be removed correctly. Next we begin to disconnect this mechanism from the gas pedal. Let your friend press the pedal in the cabin, and at this time you disconnect the gas cable; this will become possible when the accelerator is depressed. Now it’s the turn of the hoses with antifreeze; we also disconnect them and let the excess liquid drain.
You already understand that we don’t want injuries, so these operations should be performed on a cold engine, that is, after a long period of inactivity, and not immediately after driving, otherwise you risk, at a minimum, getting burned.
Now it's time to remove the throttle body. We start by dismantling the gasket, and then unscrew the damper bolts. That's it, it can be removed. Inspect the manifold to ensure there are no gasket debris there, and clean it if there are any. By the way, it cannot be reused, or rather it is highly not recommended. Therefore, first purchase a new gasket. Now is the time to learn how to clean your throttle body.
We take the aerosol and spray it on the contaminated surface, where there are non-metal parts (plastic, rubber), try to avoid direct contact with the aerosol, as it can damage them. Now wait 15 minutes and remove the solution with a napkin. Where there was no sprayed cleaner, you will need to wipe with a cloth, spraying it with an aerosol. It is also not recommended to pour the product into the body, as is the use of hard cleaning materials or a brush. In the latter case, the protective microlayer can be damaged.
Washing and cleaning both the throttle valve and the entire assembly is not a difficult task. But nevertheless, many car owners do not know how to clean correctly, why to clean and when to clean, and having only a little experience in car maintenance, they are afraid to climb under the hood and do anything with their own hands.
In this article we will analyze the entire procedure for flushing the throttle assembly, and I hope that the typical car owner will no longer have all the questions about performing this operation.
What is a throttle valve, throttle assembly?
In simple terms, the throttle valve is roughly speaking the “gas pedal”. By pressing the gas, we open the throttle valve, from where air enters the engine, and with it gasoline enters the cylinder, thereby increasing engine speed. The harder we press the gas, the more the throttle valve is open, the more the engine speed increases.
Where is the throttle valve located?
The entire throttle body is located in the engine compartment. It is located between the “intake manifold” and “air filter” ligament. In other words: air enters the air filter, passes through the mass air flow sensor, enters the throttle assembly, and from there it goes into the engine through the intake manifold (receiver). To find out where the throttle valve is located, pay attention to the figure (number 3).
Why and when to clean/wash the throttle valve?
There are such concepts as oil dust, crankcase gases, oil deposits. And all this dirt settles on the walls of the throttle assembly, both outside and inside. Because of this dirt, the throttle valve stops closing or opening completely.
Signs of a dirty throttle body
The most common symptoms associated with a dirty damper:
- poor or unstable engine starting “every time”;
- unstable idling, speed fluctuates;
- when driving at low speeds, the car twitches;
- Difficulties at idle, engine stalls at idle.
All of these signs indicate a dirty throttle body. But don’t rush to draw conclusions and rush to clean the unit, because... the same signs may indicate a malfunction of some sensors: IAC, TPS - these sensors are located on the throttle assembly and may be faulty. In particular, high-quality flushing of the throttle assembly can cure these sensors, but not a fact (by following the link, you can, IAC, TPS, and replace it). Also, a faulty one has similar symptoms. It is advisable to clean the throttle assembly at intervals of 30 thousand km.
Flushing the throttle valve
In this article we will describe two types of throttle valve cleaning:
- Surface.
- Full.
These two types differ in the degree of difficulty of cleaning and, accordingly, in quality.
Superficial cleaning
The essence of this cleaning is that we will not completely disassemble the entire throttle assembly, but will go over the valve with a cloth and remove surface dirt.
For work we will need:
- Any cleaning agent: carburetor cleaner, alcohol, thinner, gasoline, wd-40. They differ only in the degree of “removability” of dirt and that’s all.
- Rag.
- Brush.
First of all, we remove the air filter bell from the throttle valve, take our cleaning agent and spray it inside the throttle valve. We begin to clean the surface with a rag and brush. Also, do not forget to open the damper itself and clean it from the back side. This completes our process; we reinstall the air filter pipe and that’s it. But with this cleaning method, we will not be able to completely clean all the insides of the throttle valve, we will not be able to blow through all the holes and channels, so it is better to use a complete cleaning.
Complete throttle body cleaning
To completely clean the damper, in addition to a rag and cleaning agent, we will need:
- Flathead, Phillips screwdriver.
- Throttle valve gasket (for 1.5L) and receiver O-ring (for 1.6L) (approximate cost 20-50 rubles).
- Cotton buds.
- Socket wrench set to "13".
- 2 M13 bolts.
In this case, we need to completely remove the throttle assembly and clean it from all sides.
- In order to remove the unit, disconnect the air filter corrugation and remove the ohm pipes. liquid (in the Murzilka it is recommended to drain the liquid before starting work, but do not waste time on this by removing the pipes from the throttle - just plug them with bolts so that the liquid does not spill out), remove the adsorber pipe.
- Disconnect the throttle assembly mount, remove the throttle cable, and remove the throttle assembly. If you require a more detailed description of removing the throttle assembly, then read the article:
- Having removed the throttle valve, we disconnect and clean the IAC (IAC), TPS sensors and completely wash the valve on all sides with a cleaner, be sure to blow out all the holes with compressed air.
- Then we install everything back, not forgetting to put in a new gasket.
