How Often Should Carbon Deposits Be Cleaned?
3 Answers
Carbon deposits should be cleaned every 20,000 to 40,000 kilometers. Excessive carbon buildup can reduce the engine's lifespan. Methods for handling carbon deposits include: 1. Cleaning the throttle body—remove the engine cover, detach the throttle body, clean it with carburetor cleaner, dry it with a cotton cloth, and reinstall it; 2. Cleaning internal engine carbon deposits—add an engine internal cleaner into the oil filler port, let the engine idle for 10 minutes, then replace the oil and oil filter; 3. Cleaning the fuel system, injectors, combustion chamber, spark plugs, throttle valve, intake tract, and intake manifold. The effects of carbon deposits on a vehicle: reduced engine power, severe cases may cause engine knocking, acceleration noise, damage to pistons and crankshafts, and even cylinder scuffing.
Carbon buildup in cars depends on the specific situation. My 8-year-old car needs attention every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers, especially when the engine idles roughly and lacks power during acceleration—that's when it's time to consider cleaning. I usually use fuel additives; adding a bottle during a highway drive and running continuously for about 100 kilometers can clear a significant amount. For severe cases, you might need to disassemble and clean the throttle body, which tends to clog easily—costing a few hundred yuan per cleaning. Of course, fuel quality matters too; using fuel from reputable gas stations can extend the cleaning interval. Regular maintenance is more important than fixing problems after they occur, as it significantly impacts the car's lifespan.
Regarding carbon deposit cleaning, I believe it's closely related to driving habits. I drive quite aggressively and often take highways, so my carbon buildup isn't too bad—I only need to deal with it every 60,000 kilometers. But I have friends who mainly drive in the city with frequent traffic jams, and they need cleaning every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers. A special reminder for turbocharged car owners: turbocharged engines are more prone to carbon buildup, so pay extra attention to your vehicle's condition. The fuel additives sold at gas stations nowadays are quite effective—adding some during each refueling can help with preventive cleaning. Cleaning the throttle body costs around 300-500 RMB, while engine disassembly and cleaning can run into thousands. Actually, this expense can be saved—it all depends on daily maintenance.
