How often should the car intake pipe be cleaned?
2 Answers
The car intake pipe should be cleaned approximately every 30,000 kilometers. It is located in the engine compartment and can be seen after opening the engine hood, connected to the intake tract. The intake pipe refers to the section of the pipeline where air enters from the intake port, passes through the air filter, and reaches just before entering each cylinder. It is the main intake pipeline of the engine and also the general intake pipeline. The intake pipe can be divided into vertical intake tracts and swirl intake tracts. Vertical intake tracts have small intake resistance, which helps form resonance at high RPMs, improving intake efficiency, and is suitable for engines emphasizing high-RPM performance. Swirl intake tracts can help generate vortices during intake, improving the mixing of air and gasoline, which is beneficial for enhancing combustion efficiency at low RPMs, making them suitable for engines emphasizing low-RPM performance.
From my years of driving experience, let's talk about intake manifold cleaning. There's no strict schedule for it—it mainly depends on your car's condition and usage environment. For example, if you frequently drive on highways or get stuck in city traffic where more dust is sucked in, you might need to inspect and clean it every 20,000 kilometers. If road conditions are good, cleaning every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers is also fine. Warning signs include sluggish throttle response, unexplained increased fuel consumption, or unstable idling—these usually indicate carbon buildup clogging the intake. Personally, I make it a habit to check the intake manifold whenever I replace the air filter, removing any debris to prevent engine strain. Neglecting cleaning for too long can lead to reduced power and more expensive repairs. Remember, with regular maintenance, your car can run smoothly for years.
