How Much Does Throttle Body Service Cost?
In order for the car to run smoothly, the engine needs a perfect mixture of air and gas. The throttle body is part of the air intake system, which is responsible for providing the correct amount of airflow, but older cars were responsible for introducing both gas and air into the engine. As part of the air intake system, the throttle body will determine how much air should be let in to combine with the fuel. If it’s dirty, it may be unable to allow the right amount of air into the engine, ultimately causing poor fuel efficiency and an unstable engine. During this service, the bore and throttle blade will be cleaned.
How much does a throttle body service cost?
The price of throttle body service will depend on the mechanic performing the job, the geographical location and make and model of the vehicle. On average, according to our research, the price of this service can range anywhere from $50 to as much as $200. Refer to the table below to see some of the quotes we had received from local mechanics.
Many dealers will not do this job on its own and will rather do it as one of their preventative maintenance packages.
Throttle body service overview
This service is primarily performed as scheduled maintenance, or in some cases, if it’s a diagnosis of some symptom.
During the process, the mechanic will first scan the computer system for any codes to see if any other problems persist, aside from the throttle body if your check engine light were one. Oftentimes, the engine computer will recognize if the engine is running too rich or the fuel consumption is reducing, causing a stalling start. He or she will then check any wiring and connections to the throttle body to make sure everything is intact. From there, any carbon build-up around the intake inlet will be cleaned by using a brake cleaner and a new gasket and throttle body will be installed. Once this is all done, the codes will be cleared and the car will go on a test drive to make sure everything operates properly. This job will take a mechanic 30 to 60 minutes to perform.
Included with the package of the service is the warranty for the service should there be any issue that may arise after the service has been completed.
What are the extra costs?
If the mechanic feels the throttle body needs to be replaced, then the costs can be much higher, often in the $200 to $1,800 range. Like the service costs, the cost of a replacement will depend on the make and model, the mechanic and where you live.
Tips to know:
Common symptoms for a failing throttle body includes the check engine light being on, a lack of power, poor transmission shifting or poor car performance.
A complete throttle body service, even if you feel your car is running accordingly, should be done every 30,000 miles, according to RepairPal.com. This small preventative maintenance procedure can prevent a costly repair in the future. Refer to your car’s guide to see how often you should have this service.
CertifiedMasterTech.com offers some valuable advice, telling us that if a mechanic were to say the throttle body needed a cleaning, you would want to ask them why they suggested this cleaning and how they determined the throttle body was dirty. A reputable mechanic will remove the air intake hose and perform a visual inspection, or they may have scanned the idle air control motor at base idle.
How can I save money?
Consider performing this type of job yourself since this job is not as hard as you may think. Consider picking up a bottle of throttle body cleaner for less than $10 at a local auto shop and following the directions.
Always get at least three to five quotes. Since this is often considered a preventative service, most professional shops will have a flat rate they can give you over the phone or even offer on their website.
It also doesn’t hurt to look for specials or coupons for any preventative maintenance. For example, at the time of this writing, we were able to find a $119 coupon at a local Honda dealership in Washington state.
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Average Reported Cost: $94.5
How much did you spend?
- Ginger (ORLANDO, Florida) paid $99 and said:
$90.00 which included the actual throttle body spray.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Billie Mann (Nashville, Tennessee) paid $90 and said:
I spent $89.99. Mileage was 34,500. Service performed by Beaman Toyota dealer. This service may be warranted by the dealer, but a warranty was not presented to me.
Was it worth it? Yes
