How to Tell if the Engine Has Carbon Deposits?
2 Answers
Signs of carbon deposits in the engine: 1. Difficulty starting the engine when cold, but normal when warm; 2. Unstable engine idle, with fluctuating RPMs; 3. Feeling of sluggishness and lack of power while driving; 4. Pungent exhaust fumes and excessive emissions; 5. Increased fuel consumption compared to before. Solutions for engine carbon deposits: 1. Using an engine carbon cleaning system ("drip cleaning"); 2. Machine cleaning; 3. Engine disassembly cleaning. Causes of engine carbon deposits: 1. Long-term poor driving habits by the owner; 2. Poor quality of gasoline used; 3. Aging or damaged carburetor in the engine. Methods for maintaining a car engine: 1. Regularly change the engine oil and filter; 2. Use lubricating oil of appropriate quality grade; 3. Periodically clean the radiator; 4. Maintain good crankcase ventilation.
You can tell after driving for a long time that engine carbon buildup will make the car's power weaker and weaker. When accelerating, it feels like something is dragging it down, and the throttle response is sluggish. At idle, the car shakes badly, and cold starts are particularly difficult, sometimes requiring several attempts to succeed. Once I was driving an old Accord, and on the highway, I clearly felt it was underpowered, with much higher fuel consumption than before. Later, a check at the shop revealed severe carbon buildup in the cylinders. Paying attention to small things, like regularly adding fuel additives or running the engine at high temperatures for an hour or two on the highway, can help prevent buildup. Don't ignore these small issues—dealing with severe carbon buildup is costly, requiring engine disassembly and cleaning, which is a big hassle.
