# Can I use carb cleaner instead of throttle body cleaner?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** accord, honda\
**Created:** [February 22, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683 "2018-02-22T22:50:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![thurman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thurman/32/11037_2.png) [@thurman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thurman)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683/1 "2018-02-22T22:50:42Z")

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I am planning on cleaning my throttle body soon by the advice of you guys. I was wondering if I can use a bottle of cheaper carb cleaner.

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**Author:** ![thurman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thurman/32/11037_2.png) [@thurman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thurman)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683/2 "2018-02-22T22:52:27Z")

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I am removing the whole throttle body so that I can clean it from the back side as well.

I referenced this video.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683/3 "2018-02-22T22:56:05Z")

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Watch this, and then decide.

Tester

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 10:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683/4 "2018-02-22T22:57:10Z")

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It is my understanding many throttle bodies have a protective coating that can be destroyed by using carb cleaner, so my recommendation would be to use throttle body cleaner.

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**Author:** ![thurman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thurman/32/11037_2.png) [@thurman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thurman)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683/5 "2018-02-22T23:05:56Z")

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After watching this video. I have second thoughts. Well I think I will use throttle body cleaner. But moving the butterfly seems like a no no.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-use-carb-cleaner-instead-of-throttle-body-cleaner/112683/6 "2018-02-22T23:56:04Z")

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I think you have to be careful that it is cat friendly too, so I’d recommend just using the correct stuff. What can it take, one can?