What Is Carbon Buildup?
Carbon buildup is mainly a problem with modern vehicles, specifically European vehicles like Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, etc., with direct-injection fuel systems. When your engine burns the fuel and air in the combustion chamber, it releases tons of fumes or waste byproducts in the form of smoke and carbon. While most of it gets converted and transported out of your vehicle, some of it lingers and becomes what is known as carbon deposits. The more fuel you burn, the more these deposits will develop.
Carbon deposits can be found in many places including the combustion chamber, intake valve, pistons, throttle body, cylinder head valves, fuel injector nozzles, and more. Eventually, it can cause more significant problems like restricting airflow to the engine.
What are the Symptoms of Carbon Buildup?
You can tell if your European vehicle has an excessive amount of carbon deposits by the following signs:
- Rough Idling Or Engine Vibrations
- Jerking Or Surging At Stops
- Engine Misfires
- Decreased Acceleration
- Black Exhaust Smoke
- Check Engine Light Comes On
How Green’s Garage Can Help to Remove Carbon Buildup
If you notice any of the red flags mentioned above, it is best to get in touch with a trustworthy auto repair shop. At our shop, we can run tests and perform a comprehensive inspection to determine where the pain points are at. We can manually clean the engine using quality cleaning products by taking it apart.
Fuel injector cleaners or fuel system cleaning services can help your fuel nozzles maintain the right spray pattern. Additionally, frequent updates and adjustments to the engine’s software can help slow down carbon buildup. Overall, it is best to upkeep your vehicle’s fuel and ignition system with regular tune-ups and maintenance.
Tips on How to Prevent Carbon Buildup
- Use the right fuel grade for your engine - for example, if your BMW requires premium gas, don't cheap out and get regular grade or midgrade fuel
- Get regular oil changes
- Avoid taking too many short trips with your car
- Use a fuel additive
Some of these methods may slow down carbon deposits from forming in your engine, but they are not the most effective way. If you are interested in our carbon buildup cleaning services or other engine-related services, please call or visit the local experts at Green’s Garage today. We promise to take great care of your European car and its engine, so you can get back on the road with complete confidence in your ride.