Product Technology

How to Remove Carbon Deposits from Your Engine?

Posted on by Tammy
30
Oct

Do you know what engine carbon deposits are? While the term “Carbon Build-Up” might sound unfamiliar, they can have a significant impact on our vehicles, affecting engine performance and potentially leading to malfunctions. This article will help you understand engine carbon deposits and how to clean them effectively.

What is Carbon Build-Up?

Carbon deposits are a type of sooty substance produced during the operation of an engine, arising from the thermal degradation of unsaturated hydrocarbons and colloids in the fuel at high temperatures. As exhaust gases are expelled, these carbonaceous materials accumulate in various parts of the engine, including the intake and exhaust systems, leading to the formation of black, tar-like residues known as “carbon deposits”.

Common Types of Carbon Build-Up

  • Valve and Combustion Chamber Deposits: Carbon buildup on the valves can negatively affect their sealing performance and overall engine efficiency.
  • Intake Manifold Deposits: Unburned fuel evaporates and oxidizes, leading to softer black carbon deposits forming in the intake manifold, particularly behind the throttle body.
  • Exhaust Pipe Deposits: Carbon deposits can adhere to the catalytic converter, impeding the normal operation of the three-way catalyst.
  • Fuel Injector Deposits: Carbon accumulation on fuel injectors can result in uneven fuel spraying, affecting injection efficiency and engine combustion.
  • Piston Top Deposits: Carbon buildup on the piston tops can hinder heat transfer and may lead to knocking or power loss.

Signs of Excessive Engine Carbon Build-Up

Your vehicle may exhibit the following four signs indicating the need for carbon cleaning:

  • Difficulty Starting: Carbon deposits can accumulate on the engine, obstructing the intake at the throttle body, which makes it difficult to start the vehicle.
  • Increased Fuel Consumption: If carbon deposits are not cleaned regularly, they can accumulate on components like fuel injectors and catalytic converters, leading to higher fuel consumption.
  • Power Loss: Insufficient fuel combustion due to carbon buildup can result in a noticeable decrease in engine power.
  • Excessive Emissions: Severe carbon accumulation can render the catalytic converter ineffective, preventing it from properly purifying exhaust gases.

How to Remove Carbon Deposits from Your Engine?

Cleaning the carbon deposits that accumulate inside the engine helps restore the cleanliness of components such as cylinders, piston rings, and intake valves, improving engine efficiency and durability while reducing emissions. Here are several common cleaning methods:

  • Additive Cleaning: Fuel additives can be added to the fuel tank, allowing the vehicle to clean itself during normal operation. However, this method may take a long time, and fallen carbon particles could potentially clog the catalytic converter.
  • Dropping-Bottle Cleaning: This common method involves injecting a cleaning solution into the intake system, which dilutes and softens the carbon deposits, turning them into a slurry that is then burned off in the cylinders. While effective, this method may not provide as immediate or noticeable results as disassembly cleaning.
  • Walnut Shell Cleaning: Utilizing walnut shells of a specific granularity, this method involves spraying the shells into the engine using a walnut blaster machine. The high-speed movement of the walnut shells abrades the carbon deposits, allowing them to dislodge and exit with the oil.
  • Dry Ice Cleaning: This method uses a dry Ice blaster machine to propel dry ice pellets at the carbon deposits using high-pressure air. The physical principle of thermal expansion and contraction allows the dirt to be dislodged from surfaces, and the dry ice then sublimates into carbon dioxide. This cleaning method is convenient, cost-effective, and does not produce secondary pollution.

How to prevent Carbon build-up in the engine?

  • Regular Maintenance: Perform maintenance every year or every 20,000 kilometers, including cleaning or replacing the air filter, changing the engine oil and oil filter, and regularly cleaning the throttle body. Avoid using counterfeit or substandard lubricants and catalysts.
  • Reduce Idle Time: Minimize prolonged idling, especially during cold starts, as excessive idle time can lead to slow coolant temperature rise and incomplete fuel combustion. Frequent short trips can also contribute to carbon buildup, so it’s advisable to avoid turning off the engine for short stops.
  • Accelerate During Driving: Appropriately increase engine RPM; higher engine speeds enhance the flow of intake and exhaust gases, helping to expel some of the unburned fuel residues.

The issue of engine carbon deposits should not be overlooked. By adhering to regular maintenance and maintaining good driving habits, you can not only extend the lifespan of your vehicle but also enhance your driving experience. Let’s prioritize engine health and enjoy a smoother journey on the road!

Tammy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *