How to Determine if the Engine Has Carbon Deposits?

[AugustDella]

Methods to determine if the engine has carbon deposits: 1. Generally, when the temperature is low, it is difficult to start the ignition, but after starting, no abnormalities are found. This is likely due to carbon deposits in the engine. 2. If you notice uneven power during acceleration and a muffled sound, it may also be caused by carbon deposits inside the engine. Carbon deposits include two concepts: 1. Engine carbon deposits: During engine operation, unsaturated olefins and gums in the fuel produce a coking-like substance under high temperatures. 2. Carbon deposits in EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining): Carbon deposits in EDM should be avoided as much as possible, especially in the processing of precision molds, as they can have a fatal impact.

[ReaganLee]

When I noticed carbon buildup in the engine, the first thing I felt was that the car wasn't running as smoothly as before, especially during cold starts when it took quite a while to fire up, with the starter motor whirring for ages. At idle, it's even more ridiculous—the steering wheel vibrates slightly, making it feel like sitting in a massage chair inside the car. In severe cases, it might even stall. When accelerating, pressing the gas pedal feels sluggish, lacking the punch it used to have, and fuel consumption spikes noticeably—normally a full tank gets me 500 km, but now the low-fuel light comes on at 400 km. Additionally, the exhaust changes too; standing behind the car, you can smell a pungent, odd odor, and occasionally, black smoke is visible. I recommend regularly taking the car on highway runs or using carbon cleaners for maintenance, and avoid prolonged idling to reduce carbon buildup. If you're really suspicious, take it to a repair shop and let the mechanic check inside with a borescope to avoid compromising safety.

[MacEden]

From my experience, diagnosing engine carbon buildup doesn't need to be too complicated—just focus on a few common symptoms. Once the car's idle becomes unstable, fluctuating up and down like hiccups, or there's power lag during acceleration where pressing the gas pedal feels like stepping on cotton with no response, it's usually a sign of carbon buildup. Increased fuel consumption is also quite noticeable. My old car used to emit black smoke when I stepped on the gas, and tailpipe tests showed higher carbon emissions. A simple check you can do yourself is inspecting the spark plugs—pull them out and see if there's black residue on the electrodes, indicating incomplete combustion and carbon buildup. For prevention, I find regular use of fuel additives very effective, along with occasional long highway drives to let the engine run at higher RPMs for cleaning. Don't ignore these early warning signs—address them promptly to avoid more severe engine damage.

[DiRachel]

Over the years of my driving experience, the best time to judge carbon buildup issues is during cold starts in the early morning. If the engine struggles to turn over or ignition is sluggish, it's likely due to carbon deposits. Additionally, during daily driving, if you notice sluggish acceleration—like the car is carrying extra weight, struggling uphill, or experiencing unexplained fuel consumption increases—it indicates reduced combustion efficiency leading to carbon buildup. I also pay attention to vibrations inside the car; if the seats shake noticeably at idle and the dashboard rattles persistently, it's time for an inspection. Simple countermeasures include regular highway driving or using carbon-cleaning products, and don't wait until the problem worsens and affects engine lifespan.