What are the symptoms of excessive carbon buildup in a car?
2 Answers
Symptoms of excessive carbon buildup in a car: It can alter the original structural parameters of the engine, reduce engine power, increase fuel consumption, and in severe cases, it can also cause engine knocking, abnormal acceleration noise, damage to pistons and crankshafts, and even lead to a situation where the engine burns oil and requires major repairs. Methods to reduce carbon buildup in cars: 1. Use high-quality fuel. The main components of carbon deposits are wax and gum deposits from the fuel, so the lower the gum content in the fuel, the better. 2. Avoid driving at low speeds for extended periods. If necessary, periodically drive at high speeds. The principle behind using high-speed driving to eliminate carbon deposits is to accelerate the flow of gases, which can remove a small portion of carbon deposits that are not firmly attached, and to increase the combustion temperature, allowing some of the carbon deposits in the cylinders to be burned off.
I've been driving for over a decade, and the most obvious sign of carbon buildup is difficulty starting the engine. Every time I turn the key, it feels like a struggle, sometimes taking several attempts to get it started. After starting, the idle is unstable, with the car shaking intermittently, as if the engine is coughing. Acceleration is noticeably weaker; even when I press the gas pedal hard, the speed doesn't pick up, and the car feels sluggish. Fuel consumption has also increased—I used to get 600 kilometers on a full tank, but now 500 is considered good, which feels like a waste of money. Sometimes, black smoke comes out of the exhaust, and it smells pungent. Driving has become nerve-wracking, always worrying about stalling halfway. In such cases, I usually add some cleaner and take the car on the highway to rev the engine and clear out the carbon buildup. If that doesn't work, I have to take it to the dealership to clean the throttle body. Regular maintenance helps avoid these issues.
