How to Determine Carbon Buildup in Your Vehicle
2 Answers
Vehicle carbon buildup can be assessed from the following five aspects. 1. Difficulty in cold starts while normal when warm. The cold start injector does not spray fuel, and poor fuel quality often results in low volatility, especially in winter when temperatures are low. During cold starts, the engine block temperature is low, making fuel atomization difficult. This leads to insufficient mixing of fuel and air in the combustion chamber, causing starting difficulties or even failure to start. 2. Unstable engine idle, with fluctuating RPM. The tachometer needle moves up and down during idle, showing instability and fluctuation. Unstable idle is also accompanied by idle shaking. High idle increases fuel consumption, while excessively low idle may cause engine shaking or stalling. 3. Reduced driving performance, especially noticeable during overtaking, with slower acceleration response and a significant difference compared to when the car was new. 4. Pungent exhaust odor and excessive emissions. Vehicle exhaust mainly contains: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter (such as lead compounds, heavy metal compounds, black smoke, oil mist), and foul odors (such as formaldehyde). Regardless of environmental compliance, there will be some odor, even a "foul smell," which may be "unpleasant" or "irritating." 5. Significant increase in fuel consumption compared to before. First, too much fuel is added. Second, the type of engine oil used is different. Third, improper spark plug installation. Fourth, the original size is unsuitable.
As a seasoned long-distance driver, I can detect carbon buildup issues through daily driving sensations. If the car feels sluggish, the throttle response is delayed (especially noticeable when climbing hills), it's likely due to excessive carbon deposits clogging the engine. Fuel consumption will inexplicably spike – for instance, jumping from 8L/100km to 10L/100km, which is definitely not ideal. During cold starts, the engine shakes violently with unstable idling and gurgling noises – these are all clear warning signs. Additionally, don't ignore acrid exhaust fumes that smell like burning. After parking, pop the hood and check near the intake pipe; severe carbon buildup emits a foul odor. I recommend monthly tracking of fuel efficiency and power performance. If abnormalities persist for several days, visit a professional shop for comprehensive diagnostics – their specialized tools can reveal internal conditions before minor issues escalate.
