A throttle body cleaning is a relatively simple service that costs around $200 to $300, if done professionally. However, if you’re comfortable under the hood, you could save hundreds of dollars by cleaning it at home.
Factors that influence throttle body cleaning costs
Throttle body cleaning services run the gamut in terms of cost — some are easier to clean than others, and how the mechanic approaches the service can add to the expense. If the throttle body is extra dirty, it can take longer to clean.
Here are some of the variables that can affect the price tag.
Vehicle type
The throttle body is more accessible in some engines, making it easier to reach and clean. If you have a vehicle with a more complex engine design and your throttle body is harder to get to, you may pay more for labor at a shop.
Service method
A throttle body can be cleaned in its place, or you can remove the part and clean it manually. While the latter may result in a more thorough cleaning, it also takes more time to remove and reinstall, which raises the price.
Provider
You can expect to pay more for a throttle body cleaning at a dealership than you would at a small, independent shop or national tune-up chain. You may also pay more in urban areas than rural ones.
If you’re skilled enough to clean your own throttle body, it could cost about $10, which is the price of a can of specialized cleaning spray.
Condition
If it’s been a long time since your throttle body was cleaned or you simply have a lot of carbon buildup, the service may be more labor-intensive and expensive.
What is throttle body cleaning?
The throttle body is an important part of your vehicle’s air intake system. It is located between the manifold and air intake, and contains a butterfly valve — so named because of the way it opens and closes in response to your accelerator pedal — which regulates how much air flows into your engine.
Over time, carbon deposits from your combustion engine can build up on that valve and the surrounding area, which can cause the valve to stick. This can affect airflow and your vehicle’s performance.
Throttle body cleaning is the process of removing all of this grime and buildup to ensure that air can move freely through your engine systems.
Some throttle bottle cleanings are done manually by removing the part, while others involve a chemical spray or special tools to clean the part while it’s installed in your engine.
How often should you get your throttle body cleaned?
It’s generally wise to clean your throttle body every 50,000 to 75,000 miles, or at least visually inspect it for carbon buildup when you’re replacing your engine air filter. If you notice deposits or grime, take your vehicle to the shop or purchase the cleaning spray to do it yourself.
Over time, carbon buildup can restrict airflow and affect performance, but keeping the throttle body clean helps your engine breathe better. Here are a few examples of how your car benefits from the service:
- Improved engine airflow: Air flow affects your vehicle’s combustion. Without adequate air flow, your car may struggle to use fuel efficiently and can overheat. You may also notice that your acceleration is sluggish and your engine is slow to respond, along with less horsepower.
- Increased fuel efficiency: In addition to improved air flow, a clean throttle body will help your vehicle use fuel more efficiently. Your engine will generate combustion better, which will use less fuel and keep your engine running smoothly.
- Smooth idle: A dirty throttle body can cause your vehicle to idle rougher than usual or the engine to stall.
You can tell the throttle body is dirty just by looking, but you may also consider a cleaning if you notice:
- Your check engine light comes on due to limited air intake.
- The vehicle stalls out or sputters unexpectedly, or has a rough idle.
- Your car hesitates when you press the accelerator pedal or doesn’t seem to have as much power as usual.
- The vehicle overheats without another known cause.
How to save on throttle body cleaning
If your car isn’t showing any urgent signs, then you have some time to price shop and look for deals — or potentially teach yourself to clean the throttle body. If you’re after savings, here are a few options.
Get a maintenance package
Some dealerships and tune-up shops offer maintenance packages that include throttle cleaning. This lets you check off multiple car care tasks at once, saving you both time and money.
Shop around
Get quotes from a few different shops before you settle on a mechanic. Once you suspect you need a throttle body cleaning, call your local dealership, tune-up shop and local mechanic to get estimates. You can also ask about any available packages, coupons or discounts to ensure you get the best price.
Do it yourself
A throttle body cleaning isn’t a difficult maintenance task, especially if you use an exterior cleaning spray. If you don’t plan to manually remove and clean the part, almost any driver can do it.
Taking the throttle body off your car and cleaning it can also be an at-home task, but requires a bit more comfort under the hood and a few more tools.
FAQs
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Do I need to disconnect my battery before cleaning the throttle body if I’m just using a spray?
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Can I damage my vehicle from cleaning the throttle body?
Stephanie Colestock is a seasoned writer specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, credit and debt management, banking, investing, retirement planning, and household finances.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Forbes, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys helping individuals make smarter financial decisions through her engaging and well-researched articles.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry and has more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet, where she covered loans. Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California, and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
