How to Clean Carbon Deposits Inside the Engine Cylinder?
2 Answers
Methods for cleaning carbon deposits inside the engine cylinder: After opening the oil filler cap, pour the entire can of cleaner into the engine to mix with the old oil, then close the oil filler cap, start the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes before turning it off. Cleaning internal engine carbon deposits involves using a cleaner to dissolve sludge, gum, moisture, and metal debris deposits inside the engine, which helps reduce contamination of new oil and extends the engine's lifespan. Symptoms of carbon deposits on valves and combustion chambers include poor engine performance, difficulty starting, unstable idling, poor acceleration, backfiring during rapid acceleration, excessive exhaust emissions, and increased fuel consumption. Carbon deposits in the intake manifold can block the idle air passage, causing the idle control device to stick or exceed its adjustment range, leading to low idle speed, idling vibration, and failure of various auxiliary devices to accelerate.
I drive quite a lot, and older cars tend to have carbon deposit issues. I've tried a few DIY methods at home. The most common one is adding fuel additives to the gas tank and then taking a long drive or highway trip to help dissolve the carbon deposits; just regular cleaners from the supermarket will do. If it's more severe, I'll ask a friend to help remove the spark plugs, spray some cleaning fluid inside, then reinstall them and start the engine to clean it out—but you have to be careful not to damage the cylinder walls. Preventive measures are also important: avoid frequent short trips in the city; take more highway drives to let the engine burn off carbon residue at high temperatures. Regularly changing the engine oil can also reduce sludge buildup. Overall, simple DIY methods can save a lot of money, but if the problem is too severe, it's better to seek help from a professional shop to avoid causing starting difficulties from mishandling.
