What are the symptoms of severe engine carbon buildup?
2 Answers
Symptoms of severe engine carbon buildup include: 1. Difficulty starting the engine when cold, requiring multiple ignition attempts, while starting normally when warm; 2. Unstable engine idling with fluctuating RPMs; 3. Reduced power and sluggish performance, particularly noticeable during overtaking; 4. Pungent exhaust fumes exceeding emission standards; 5. Significant increase in fuel consumption compared to before. The solution for severe carbon buildup is to clean the throttle body. Generally, the throttle body should be cleaned every 20,000 kilometers. Cleaning areas prone to carbon buildup such as the intake tract, valves, and fuel system can effectively minimize the impact of carbon deposits on engine performance, maintaining it in good condition.
I've been driving for over ten years and noticed that when there's a lot of engine carbon buildup, a bunch of problems arise. The car doesn't accelerate as smoothly as before when starting, and pressing the gas pedal feels sluggish, with a noticeable drop in power. Fuel consumption also increases—what used to be 400 kilometers on a full tank might now only get me 350, costing me a lot more. Cold starts in the morning are the most troublesome, sometimes taking two or three minutes of cranking before the engine catches. At idle, the engine sound is unstable, the needle jumps around, and it just makes me nervous. At low speeds, the car occasionally jerks, making the whole body shake. The exhaust might appear darker or emit a strange odor. If these symptoms are ignored, carbon buildup will worsen and could damage the engine's core components, leading to costly repairs. So, regular maintenance is key—like using high-quality fuel additives or occasionally taking a long drive to clear out carbon deposits.
