Is It Necessary to Clean the Intake System?
2 Answers
It is necessary to clean the intake system. Since there is currently no complete method to prevent carbon deposits, if not cleaned regularly, carbon deposits will accumulate endlessly. Once carbon deposits build up in the intake system, it can cause issues such as engine shaking and reduced power in mild cases, and in severe cases, it may even lead to engine cylinder scoring or seizure. There are generally two cleaning methods for the intake tract: drip cleaning and disassembly cleaning. The intake system consists of components such as the air filter, air flow meter, intake pressure sensor, throttle body, auxiliary air valve, idle control valve, resonance chamber, power chamber, and intake manifold.
I've always believed that intake system cleaning is quite necessary, especially for people like me who often drive in the city. After prolonged driving, dust particles from the air accumulate in the throttle body and intake pipes, forming a thick layer of carbon deposits. When this buildup becomes excessive, the engine tends to shake at idle, the throttle response becomes sluggish, and fuel consumption increases. I have an eight-year-old car that wasn't cleaned in time, and it ended up lacking power on the highway. The diagnosis revealed excessive carbon buildup. After cleaning, the idle became much smoother, acceleration improved, and fuel consumption decreased by about 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers. I recommend doing it regularly, such as getting a professional cleaning at a repair shop every 20,000 kilometers, rather than waiting for major issues to arise. When cleaning, be sure to use appropriate cleaning agents to avoid damaging sensors. Overall, spending a little on maintenance can help your car run longer and more reliably.
