How Often Should a Car's Fuel System Be Cleaned?
4 Answers
Car fuel system cleaning should be performed every 2 years or 60,000 kilometers. It is a general term for cleaning carbon deposits from the fuel injectors, cylinder walls and piston tops, intake valves, as well as resin and sludge buildup in the intake pipes. The benefits of car fuel system cleaning include reducing harmful emissions in the vehicle's exhaust, helping the vehicle pass emissions tests, restoring engine power, and improving engine efficiency and fuel economy. The items included in car fuel system cleaning are: 1. Cleaning the fuel tank; 2. Cleaning the electric fuel pump; 3. Cleaning the fuel injectors; 4. Cleaning the fuel filter; 5. Cleaning the electronic fuel injector nozzles; 6. Cleaning the fuel supply lines and various filter screens; 7. Inspecting the fuel tank breather valve; 8. Test driving for inspection.
I've been driving for over 20 years and always pay special attention to maintenance. Fuel system cleaning is something you can't be careless about. It's generally recommended every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, but it depends on actual driving conditions. For someone like me who frequently drives in the city with constant stop-and-go traffic due to congestion, the throttle body is particularly prone to carbon buildup, so I do it earlier at 15,000 kilometers. During my last maintenance at the 4S shop, the mechanic showed me with an endoscope - the fuel injectors were caked with carbon deposits like crispy rice crusts, no wonder my fuel consumption suddenly spiked. Now I always request a complete cleaning of the fuel lines, throttle body, and combustion chamber each time. The whole set costs about 500 yuan, but the fuel savings have long covered the cost. The key thing is after cleaning, the accelerator feels as light as a new car's, idle doesn't shake anymore, and it's better for engine longevity.
My car has clocked 80,000 kilometers. When it comes to cleaning the fuel system, I follow one principle: save where you can, spend where you must. Normally, I clean it every 30,000 kilometers. But if I notice sluggish acceleration or an unexplained fuel consumption increase of half a liter, I get it checked immediately. Last time, I fueled up at a cheap gas station, and after two weeks, the engine light came on. Turns out, the fuel injectors were completely clogged when we took them apart. Even using fuel system cleaner as an emergency measure didn’t help—I had to spend 300 bucks on a fuel system flush. I’ve learned my lesson now: in the city, I stick to reputable gas stations. If I don’t drive long distances often, stretching it to 40,000 kilometers is fine. After all, one cleaning costs as much as two minor services—overdoing it is just a waste. But older cars are different from new ones; the older they get, the more frequent the cleanings should be.
When I first bought the car, I had no idea what fuel system cleaning was for—until I hit 20,000 km and noticed the engine gasping for air when I stepped on the gas. A friend said the fuel injectors were clogged with carbon deposits. Later, at the repair shop, I opted for a no-disassembly cleaning where the mechanic used high-pressure equipment to flush cleaner through the fuel lines. The spark plugs pulled out were covered in black soot, which looked terrifying. Now, I get it done every 30,000 km, especially in areas using ethanol-blended gasoline, as those gummy deposits can clog the injector nozzles if left unchecked. I’d advise drivers to watch for engine symptoms—difficulty starting cold or rough idling are usually the fuel system’s SOS signals.
