A dirty throttle body can affect how your vehicle works. It could cause the engine to lose power, rough idle, increased fuel consumption and stalling. It is why it needs to be cleaned regularly.
However, finding the right cleaner to use for the throttle body can be tricky. The reason is that the throttle body has plastic or rubber parts that make it even more difficult. Many cleaner contain corrosive agents that will eat up rubber and plastic parts of the throttle.
You must know how to identify the best alternative for throttle body cleaners. By doing this, you can easily find a throttle body cleaner that will properly remove dirt and stubborn deposits without damaging the throttle body.
This article will show you throttle body cleaning benefits from the best alternative for throttle body cleaners.
What is the Best Alternative for Throttle Body Cleaner?
There are a lot of products that can serve as an alternative to throttle body cleaners. The problem now is identifying the best for your vehicle. Many cleaners claim to clean the throttle body, but they will leave damage instead.
Below are some of the best throttle body cleaner alternatives.
1. WD-40
Can I use wd40 to clean throttle boy? Yes, one of the most used alternatives for throttle body cleaners is the WD-40. It is a petroleum-based cleaning product for car engine parts.
WD-40 contains an anti-corrosive substance that forms a coating on the surface of the throttle body. It prevents contaminants like water from corroding the surface, creating a long-lasting throttle body.
Also, when cleaning the throttle body of carbon deposit buildup, you can rely on WD-40. It can dissolve carbon deposits when used, making it easier to remove.
When cleaning the throttle body with a WD-40, ensure that none of the sprays gets into the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve. The valve is located on either side of the throttle body.
Also, do not apply directly on the throttle body; apply first on a piece of cloth. It will stop WD-40 from getting into unwanted places in the throttle body.
2. Gumout
Gumout Cleaner is a carburetor and a choke cleaner, but can also be used for the throttle body. It can clean accumulated dirt and other forms of debris.
In addition, it is also an excellent way to get rid of buildups that affect the running condition of the throttle body and the engine in general.
Before using Gumout spray, you must understand it is highly flammable and toxic. It contains petroleum distillates and hydrocarbons, which makes it a very flammable substance.
When using a brake cleaner, you must be in a ventilated area and wear protective gear. Ensure to protect yourself by wearing gloves and google.
If the substance comes into contact with your body, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Ensure to flush your eyes with water for 15 minutes if it gets in contact with your eyes.
3. Seafoam spray (SS14)
SeaFoam spray (SS14) is a petroleum-based spray product that can break down carbon deposits and make removal easier. It is a quick-acting top engine cleaner and lube that can also be used for the throttle body.
SeaFoam can be used as a preventive measure to stop the build-up of carbon deposits in the engine and clean out clogged engines. It could do the same with the throttle body.
The spray is made from crude oil, which makes a perfect petroleum cleaning product. It is rich in hydrocarbons like aromatics and alkanes. These properties have been separated from the crude oil through friction distillation. It also goes through more purification to get its desired features.
4. Wire brush (Shopping GD)
Shopping GD wire brush consists of clean needles and cleaning brushes. The brush is made of high-density nylon, which makes it very durable. It can be used with another alternative throttle cleaner spray.
The wire brush can remove some of the most stubborn deposits in the alternator. It could also reach into clogged parts of the throttle and brush out dirt and other forms of debris with ease.
The brush is mainly used for the carburetor but can also be used for the throttle body’s tight spaces. It will cause no damage to the throttle.
5. CRC throttle body and air intake cleaner
CRC cleaner is a multi-purpose cleaner that can clean the throttle body, air intake, and carburetors. It can safely clean these components without causing any damage and enhances the throttle response, fuel efficiency, and engine performance.
CRC throttle body cleaners can clean carbon deposits, engine gum, sludge, grime, and other residues that harm the engine’s components.
It is able to penetrate and loosen the most challenging deposits up to 8 inches thick. All you need to do is apply the spray to the deposit, wait for a few minutes, and then wash away using a wire brush or rag.
5. Berryman Chem-Dip Carburetor Cleaner
Berryman Chem-Dip is designed for cleaning dirty carburetors but can also clean your throttle body. It is because the cleaner does not react or damage plastic components, which means removing the throttle body and soaking it in the cleaner.
It can remove stubborn dirt and accumulated deposits from the carburetor and throttle body. Soaking the throttle in the cleaner can penetrate the dirt and deposits, loosen them up, and make it easy to scrub them off.
Also read: How to Clean Throttle Body without Removing It.
Is it worth using homemade throttle body cleaner?
Homemade throttle body cleaners are also safe if you know how to make and use one properly. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is one homemade throttle body cleaner that is safe to use.
When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, an acidic reaction is gotten. The response can break down carbon deposits and remove stubborn dirt from the throttle body.
The mixture must equal soda and vinegar and should be added to warm water. Once the mixture is done, it should not be applied directly to the throttle body. Add it to a cloth or rag, and then use it to apply it to the throttle body.
Once applied, wait about 30 minutes and then wipe away with another cloth or brush.
You can also use the mixture to clean the IAC valve. Clean just like you will are cleaning the throttle body.
Is it worth using Alternative Throttle body cleaner?
If you do not have a throttle body cleaner, using an alternative cleaner is safe and eco-friendly. First, you need to find the right cleaner for your throttle body. Not all alternatives are considered suitable for the throttle body.
Products like WD-40 and Seafoam Cleaner are great alternatives to cleaning your throttle body. They do not contain any extra additives or corrosive material that could damage the throttle body.
As long as the instruction on the product is followed and it is used properly, the throttle body will not have any damage after usage.
Can I use brake cleaner on the throttle body? The answer is no; you should avoid using brake cleaner on the throttle body. It is highly combustible and can damage rubber or plastic parts of the throttle body.
If you do not have any other alternative but the brake cleaner, you need to be extra careful. The throttle body will have to be removed so that the brake cleaner does not get to the important parts of the engine and ruin it.
If there any bad effects of using alternative Throttle body cleaner
There could be some downsides to using alternative throttle body cleaners, including the following.
Corrosiveness
Some alternative cleaners can be very corrosive and should not reach some throttle body parts. For instance, the IAC valve comprises premium metal and plastic material. The most alternative cleaner is bad, like the Gumout choke/carb cleaner.
Idle quality
Alternative throttle cleaners can cause poor idling and misfiring if they get the engine’s IAC valves and other parts. When plastic parts of the IAC are damaged, the vehicle will no longer be able to idle correctly.
Also, if you sprayed too much throttle body cleaner into the throttle body, it could cause unstable idling.
Combustible
Alternative cleaners like brake cleaner and Gumout are highly combustible. We recommend that they be in a well-ventilated space if you use them.
A highly combustible cleaner can also damage the plastic and rubber components of the throttle if it is not properly used, causing throttle body problems.
Final Words
The throttle body has rubber parts like the rubber intake tube and throttle or intake rubber neck. When choosing a throttle body cleaner, consider the product’s reaction to rubber parts. It would be best to have a cleaner that is not corrosive to rubber parts.
Also, avoid spraying throttle body cleaner while running the engine. Some of these throttle cleaners are highly flammable, and a little heat can cause combustion in the throttle body.
