How Often Should the Automotive Fuel System Be Cleaned?
2 Answers
Fuel systems typically require cleaning every 20,000 kilometers. Gasoline inevitably contains certain impurities that can form carbon deposits in the combustion chamber during the burning process. Excessive carbon buildup can negatively impact combustion efficiency. Below are the maintenance and cleaning procedures for fuel systems: 1. Regularly add fuel system cleaner, opting for high-quality products. Generally, cleaning should be performed every 10,000-20,000 kilometers. The cleaner effectively removes carbon deposits, sediments, and gum from the combustion chamber, intake valves, fuel injectors, and fuel lines while driving. Maintaining a clean fuel system helps break down moisture in the fuel and reduces harmful emissions. 2. Use specialized equipment for cleaning, such as the no-disassembly method that involves adding cleaning fluid through a supply device, commonly referred to as an "IV drip." This method offers the advantage of performing cleaning while the engine is running, providing protection and effectively avoiding potential damage caused by disassembly. Most 4S dealerships adopt this approach.
I drive quite frequently, so I usually clean the fuel system every 20,000 kilometers or so. Actually, it mainly depends on how you use the car. If you often drive in the city with frequent stops and starts, carbon deposits can easily build up in the fuel system, so cleaning it more often is better. During my last maintenance, the mechanic said the fuel system is like the blood vessels of a car—too much carbon buildup affects the atomization effect of the fuel injectors, and you'll noticeably feel the car struggling to accelerate. Besides mileage, I also pay attention to changes in fuel consumption. If the car suddenly burns an extra liter of fuel per 100 kilometers, it's likely time to clean the fuel system. I recommend using genuine cleaning agents; those cheap products from roadside shops can damage the engine.
