How to Clean Engine Carbon Deposits?
4 Answers
Engine carbon deposit cleaning methods are: 1. Remove the engine cover, take off the throttle valve, clean it with carburetor cleaner, wipe it dry with a cotton cloth, and then reinstall it; 2. Open the oil cap, pour in the entire can of cleaner, close the oil cap, start the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes before turning it off; 3. Before refueling, add the entire bottle of fuel additive to the fuel tank; 4. Pour the intake system cleaner into the storage tank of a dedicated cleaning device, connect it to the intake system, and start the engine to use vacuum to draw the cleaner into the intake pipes for cleaning purposes. Carbon deposits refer to tar-like substances formed when fuel and oil vapor that enters the combustion chamber cannot be completely burned, including intake and exhaust valves, spark plugs, fuel injectors, piston tops, etc. Over time, combined with repeated high temperatures in the engine, these substances eventually form coal-like carbon deposits.
From my 20+ years of driving experience, preventing engine carbon buildup should come first. Avoid prolonged idling in the city and drive more on highways to burn off deposits with higher RPMs. Always refuel at reputable gas stations to minimize combustion residue. For mild carbon deposits, you can use fuel additives – pour them into the tank and drive dozens of kilometers on highways, which works decently but shouldn't be overused to avoid engine damage. Severe carbon buildup requires professional shop treatment where they disassemble the engine to clean throttle valves and pistons – it costs money but is thorough and safe. I always check spark plugs during oil changes, and regular maintenance significantly reduces carbon buildup. DIY attempts might damage components, doing more harm than good.
I often work on my car myself, and I'm quite familiar with cleaning carbon deposits. The first step is to add fuel cleaner to the gas tank and drive a couple hundred kilometers on the highway for a simple clean. For a more advanced approach, remove the throttle body and spray professional cleaner to scrub off the carbon deposits—make sure to have the right tools and avoid touching the sensors. Fuel injectors are tricky to clean, so it's best left to professionals. For prevention, add a small amount of cleaner with each oil change and drive at higher RPMs to prevent buildup. Don't cut corners with cheap additives, as they can harm your car. Before starting, watch tutorials and prepare safety measures. If you're really stuck, take it to a repair shop—they use walnut blasting for quick and thorough cleaning, and it's worth the few hundred bucks.
I've only had my car for a little over a year and I'm already struggling with carbon buildup issues. The simple cleaning method is to add fuel additives and drive on the highway to roughly clean it out. If that doesn't work, take it to a professional auto shop for an IV drip treatment, which costs a few hundred bucks but gets the job done more thoroughly. At first, I was afraid of the hassle and didn't dare to do it myself, but later I learned some tricks to prevent carbon buildup, like choosing good fuel brands and avoiding driving too slowly—keeping the RPMs higher helps burn off residue. Regular maintenance checks on the spark plugs for carbon buildup can save you a lot of money and give you peace of mind if addressed early. Don't wait until it gets severe and the engine starts shaking—repairs will be much more expensive then.
