How is carbon buildup in cars formed?
2 Answers
Carbon buildup formation in cars: During engine operation, unsaturated olefins and gums in fuel produce a coking-like substance under high temperatures. This substance has oil-absorbing properties, causing incompletely burned gasoline to turn into carbon deposits again. Repeated accumulation makes the deposits thicker and thicker, leading to a vicious cycle. In mild cases, it affects engine idle speed and power performance; in severe cases, it causes mechanical damage to the engine and reduces its service life. Methods to reduce carbon buildup: Perform necessary cleaning of the car's intake system. In automotive maintenance, diagnosing intake manifold carbon buildup is very simple—just remove the throttle body to clearly see the extent of carbon buildup.
Speaking from my years of driving experience, let me talk about carbon deposits. Simply put, carbon deposits are like a layer of black grime inside the engine, mainly caused by incomplete fuel combustion. When the engine is running, the fuel injected by the injectors can't be burned 100%, and there are always some residues left. Especially when crawling in traffic jams, the engine doesn't reach optimal temperature, making it easier for unburned fuel residues to harden into deposits. Another issue is engine oil—over time, degraded oil can form coke on high-temperature components. My car used to shake during cold starts, and upon inspection, thick carbon deposits were found behind the throttle body. The mechanic blamed my frequent short trips—the engine was shut off before it could fully warm up, allowing carbon deposits to accumulate. City driving is the worst for carbon buildup, so it's best to occasionally take the car on the highway to blow it out.
