Is your engine losing power? It could be the throttle body.

Posted on July 28, 2020 in Maintenance

[caption id="attachment_8270" align="alignright" width="500"] A swab from a dirty throttle body valve.[/caption] Is your engine losing power? If you've noticed a rough idle, stumbling initial acceleration, or even stalling – all when the engine is fully warmed up – a dirty or broken throttle body could be the culprit. Here are a few common symptoms:

Poor Idle

When a throttle body is not functioning correctly, you'll usually notice a distinctly low idle. If the problem is really severe, the engine may even begin stalling when coming to a stop or when the throttle is quickly pressed. This will inevitably contribute to poor engine performance which will eventually cause your check engine light to come on.

Loss of Power

The throttle body is a valve located between the air intake filter and the intake manifold that regulates how much air is entering the engine. The throttle body valve is controlled by the driver's input through the gas pedal—as the pedal is compressed and more air flows into the engine, the engine injects more fuel, thus allowing for more power. If your engine seems like it's struggline to gain power, or that it's performance has noticably decreased, you should bring your car in for a check-up.

The Ominous Check Engine Light

In more modern cars, an electronic throttle control (ETC) constantly monitors throttle body performance. If the system detects a problem it will turn on the check engine light—and you'll need to get your car checked out by a professional.

At V&F

Recommended maintenance may not seem like a big deal, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. But it’s not something vehicle owners should ignore. Keeping up with mainetance is the only way to ensure that your vehicle maintains its performance and reliability—and it can prevent high-cost repairs in the future. At V&F, all of our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor, and we're taking extra precautions to keep you safe during COVID-19. Call us today at (413) 314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.