How to Clean Carbon Deposits?
3 Answers
Methods for cleaning carbon deposits are as follows: 1. Engine Drip Cleaning Method: Introduce cleaning agents into the engine through a tube to effectively remove carbon deposits. 2. Additive Method: Add a cleaning additive to the fuel tank, requiring multiple applications for thorough cleaning. 3. Direct Disassembly Cleaning Method: Remove and clean the engine before reinstalling it, which carries certain operational risks. Additional Information: 1. Definition of Carbon Deposits: A sticky, tar-like substance formed from unsaturated olefins and gums in fuel under high temperatures during engine operation. 2. Types of Carbon Deposits: Throttle valve carbon deposits, combustion chamber carbon deposits, intake pipe carbon deposits.
My car has been consuming more fuel than usual recently, and the 4S shop says it's due to carbon buildup. They usually recommend an intake cleaning service where cleaning fluid is injected through the intake pipe to dissolve oil sludge and carbon deposits. For particularly hardened carbon deposits, walnut shell blasting might be necessary - using high-speed small particles to clean the back of valves thoroughly. Actually, using fuel system cleaner additives during regular refueling works quite well, especially for stubborn carbon deposits on direct injection engine piston tops. I add one bottle every 5,000 km and can feel the throttle response improves noticeably. Turbocharged vehicles need special attention - excessive carbon buildup can easily cause engine knocking.
Veteran mechanics at old repair shops prefer hands-on methods for cleaning carbon deposits. They dismantle and clean the intake pipe, throttle body, and even the cylinder head to visually inspect which corners are clogged with sludge. Using small brushes along with carburetor cleaner, they meticulously scrub areas that chemical sprays can't reach, such as the gaps around the throttle plate and the bends in the intake manifold. However, disassembly is time-consuming, and new sealing gaskets are required after reassembly. If the carbon buildup isn't severe enough to warrant disassembly, trying fuel additives or an intravenous cleaning might be more cost-effective, as dismantling the engine can be quite taxing.
