How to Determine if There is Carbon Buildup?
3 Answers
Methods to determine if there is carbon buildup: If you experience slow acceleration, backfiring when accelerating suddenly, or difficulty starting the engine when cold, it usually indicates carbon buildup on the valves. Regularly cleaning the car's intake system can effectively reduce carbon formation. It is recommended that owners perform necessary cleaning on the intake system after driving approximately 30,000 kilometers. Severe carbon buildup can alter the engine's original structural parameters, reduce engine power, increase fuel consumption, and in serious cases, cause engine knocking, abnormal acceleration noises, and damage to pistons and crankshafts. In extreme cases, it may even lead to engine oil burning, requiring major repairs.
I never thought about carbon buildup when I used to drive. Later, my car became increasingly difficult to start, especially on winter mornings when I had to turn the key several times before it would start. At idle, the car shook violently, feeling like sitting on a massage chair at a traffic light, which made me nervous. The fuel consumption was also strange—normally, a full tank could last 500 kilometers, but now the warning light would come on before reaching 400. After checking online, people said this might be due to carbon buildup. So, I took it to the repair shop, and the mechanic used a borescope to look inside—the intake valves were covered in black deposits, confirming the issue. Since then, I’ve made it a habit: whenever these symptoms appear, I first check the exhaust tailpipe. If there’s black smoke or a pungent smell, it’s almost certainly the problem, and I take action immediately.
I'm particularly sensitive to cars, and carbon buildup is the most annoying issue. The acceleration feels sluggish, like running in wet clothes—you have to floor the throttle just to get the car moving, making overtaking a struggle. The fuel consumption spikes noticeably too; it used to be around 7L/100km on the highway, but now it can go over 9L. Here's a simple trick: check the cold start response. If the engine makes loud, choppy noises, it's likely clogged with carbon deposits. Unstable idling is another sign—the tachometer needle jumps around, and the car shakes when stationary. I've tried revving it high—shifting at 4,000 RPM on the highway—which helps clear some carbon buildup, but the key is early detection and prevention. Regularly using fuel additives during refueling can prevent deposits from accumulating and damaging the engine.
