How to Solve Car Carbon Deposits?
3 Answers
Car carbon deposit treatment methods are: 1. Add fuel additives when refueling; 2. Disassemble and clean the engine; 3. Use an intravenous drip cleaning method for the car. Carbon deposits refer to: the residue left in the fuel injector, throttle, fuel line, pipeline, or spark plug due to incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine or the inability to completely burn the paraffin and colloid in the fuel. The causes of car carbon deposits are: 1. Long-term poor driving habits of the owner; 2. Mismatch between fuel grade and compression ratio; 3. Aging or damage of the engine carburetor; 4. Long-term high-load driving; 5. Not replacing the air filter; 6. Inaccurate ignition timing or fuel supply time; 7. Low engine temperature; 8. Poor sealing of valves and valve seats; 9. Prolonged engine idling.
When it comes to carbon deposits in cars, what gives me the biggest headache was when my car idled roughly last time, with fuel consumption skyrocketing. A check revealed a pile of carbon ash on the intake valves. The solution isn't actually difficult—my method is to regularly use fuel additives, like the cleaning type, pouring a bottle in each time I refuel, then driving at high speed for about half an hour, revving the engine above 4000 rpm to heat it up and burn off the deposits. I also avoid crawling at low speeds in the city and opt for higher-grade gasoline to reduce residue. If it gets so bad that power noticeably drops, it's time for a shop visit to dismantle and clean the intake manifold or fuel injectors—though that'll cost a bit, around a few hundred bucks. Prevention is key; carbon buildup mainly comes from poor fuel quality or low-speed driving, so I've made it a habit to treat it every two to three months. Now my car runs much smoother, and maintenance is a breeze.
To address carbon buildup issues, I've handled many cars, primarily focusing on physical cleaning methods. The first step is to inspect the carbon deposit locations, commonly found on intake valves and combustion chambers. For mild cases, using fuel system cleaner combined with high-speed driving is sufficient; severe cases require partial engine disassembly and thorough cleaning with foam-type cleaners or ultrasonic methods. For prevention, it's recommended to avoid frequent short trips with constant start-stop driving and use high-quality gasoline to prevent impurity accumulation. Symptoms like engine shaking or difficulty starting are signs of carbon buildup – don't delay as component damage leads to costlier repairs. Many 4S shops now offer professional cleaning services that take about an hour with long-lasting effects, though at higher costs. DIY solutions can save money but require purchasing reliable products to ensure safety.
