Carbon buildup is one of the few issues you can never avoid as a car owner. Carbon deposits will always form inside the engine, especially in valves and pistons. But don’t worry! Rather than settle for below-par performance, you can follow simple ways to deal with this issue, especially with cleaning methods and prevention tips.

The Issue Starts With the Fuel Injection System

Port injection systems were the most common way to fuel engines. But then, gasoline direct injection arrived with better fuel mixing and cleaner emissions. However, it still struggled with carbon buildup. This sticky residue formed because fuel didn’t clean the valves. Carbon would then clog up the injectors, preventing the valves from operating correctly. Thankfully, you can slow down buildup.

Driving Habits That Help Reduce Carbon Accumulation

Frequent short trips, stop-and-go traffic, and hard acceleration can lead to faster carbon buildup in your car’s engine. Why make your engine work harder? To reduce this, drive longer distances at steady speeds, especially on highways. Regularly maintaining your vehicle and using high-quality fuel can also help keep your engine clean and running smoothly for longer.

How Temperature Affects Carbon Buildup

When the engine is cold, fuel doesn’t burn as efficiently, leading to faster carbon deposits forming. But engines running at higher temperatures burn fuel more completely, reducing carbon buildup. That’s why driving long enough to warm your engine can help keep it cleaner. Meanwhile, you need to watch out for the following signs of carbon buildup.

Increased Fuel Consumption

When carbon builds up, your engine burns more fuel to achieve the same performance. Carbon deposits interfere with fuel burn, making your engine less efficient. As a result, you’ll spend more money on gas. If you find yourself filling up your tank more often than usual, excessive carbon buildup could be the culprit.

Poor Engine Performance

When excessive carbon buildup clogs essential engine parts, the deposits block fuel from burning well. It’s like having a blocked nose when you catch a cold, and your nose works harder to breathe. Likewise, when engine airflow reduces, it leads to poor acceleration or stalling. You should check for carbon buildup if you press the gas and the car feels sluggish.

Carbon Buildup Damages Engine Valves

As mentioned earlier, engine valves control the flow of air and fuel into the engine. When there are too many carbon deposits on the valves, they can’t close properly. The subsequent air leaks also reduce engine efficiency. If you let this go on for too long, the valves may get damaged and cause misfires or poor performance. But that’s not all.

It Also Clogs Fuel Injectors

Fuel injectors spray the engine with fuel to create combustion. When carbon builds up on the injectors, it blocks the passage and affects fuel delivery. This situation leads to uneven fuel distribution, then the engine starts running rough or inefficiently. Besides reducing fuel economy, clogged injectors also cause poor acceleration. However, you can reduce carbon accumulation with the following tops.

Regular Vehicle Maintenance Saves Your Engine and Wallet

Depending on the vehicle, carbon cleaning services cost between $175 and $450. Regular cleaning every 20,000 miles can prevent expensive repairs and breakdowns like engine knocks. This habit is essential for truck drivers, who often travel 45,000-60,000 miles a year. Constant maintenance can save a few bucks on repair and lost income.

Use the Right Fuel and Use High-Quality

Using the right fuel will help prevent carbon buildup in your engine. The manufacturer recommends that you choose the correct octane level for your car. If you use a lower octane than needed, your engine will start struggling, leading to more carbon buildup. Besides, high-quality fuel burns cleaner and keeps your engine healthier.

Pay Attention to Oil Type, Quality, and Change Intervals

As your owner’s manual suggests, the right oil for your car will slow down carbon buildup. Likewise, high-quality oil keeps the engine running smoothly and prevents dirt from sticking inside. Car owners are advised to change the engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles because old or low-quality oil leads to more carbon buildup.

Change Spark Plugs at Regular Intervals

Spark plugs ignite the fuel, but they wear out with constant use. After some time, their malfunction leads to complete burning and more carbon buildup. Most cars need new spark plugs every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. To change them, disconnect the wires, unscrew the old plug, and replace it with a new one for a cleaner burn!

Use Fuel Additives

Fuel additives can help reduce carbon buildup in your engine. These special liquids are added to your gas tank and work by cleaning out carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and engine parts. Some additives are designed to prevent new buildup, too. Using them every few thousand miles can keep your engine running smoothly and more efficiently.

Manually Clean the Valves with a Solvent

Mechanics sometimes use special scraping tools to carefully clean off carbon deposits after using solvents to dissolve deposits. Another method is walnut media blasting, where tiny crushed walnut shells are shot at the valves to knock off the carbon without damaging the parts. Both methods require care and precision and help the engine breathe better and run smoother.

You Can Also Use In-tank Injector Cleaners

In-tank injector cleaners are special liquids you add to your fuel tank to help clean the engine’s fuel injectors. As you drive, the cleaner mixes with the gasoline and flows through the fuel system, removing carbon deposits from the injectors. These cleaners improve fuel flow, dissolve clogs, and keep the engine running smoothly.

Seek Professional Engine Cleaning Services

You should seek professional cleaning services if you notice rough idling, decreased engine power, thick carbon buildup, or other signs of serious carbon buildup. Also, if your check engine light comes on or if your car has trouble starting, it’s best to have a professional take a look. They have the tools to safely and thoroughly clean your engine.