How can I prevent carbon build-up in my direct injection engine?

By Product Expert | Posted in FAQs on Monday, September 23rd, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Mechanic with a tool

Causes and Prevention of Direct Injection Carbon Build Up

A direct injection engine brings many benefits- higher fuel efficiency, more power from smaller engines, and fewer emissions. Unfortunately, they also reintroduce an old automotive problem- the threat of carbon build-up. Carbon build-up can cause a variety of serious problems, including making an engine misfire.

So what does the owner of a direct injection engine do when faced with the threat of carbon build-up? Is it just a fate we must accept? Nay! Read on to find out the causes and prevention strategies for the issue of direct injection carbon deposits.

What causes carbon build-up in a direct injection engine?

Due to the way direct injection engines work, detergent and other cleaning agents added to fuel are unable to clean the port and valve as they should. As miles are put on your vehicle, fuel being injected directly into the engine causes carbon to accumulate. Issues from this slowly building deposit generally occur around 30,000 to 60,000 miles on the odometer.

Mechanic checking a vehicle

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How can I prevent carbon build-up in a direct injection engine?

Following the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle goes a long way towards preventing carbon deposit accumulation in a direct injection engine. As part of this scheduled maintenance, make sure you change your oil regularly. For the exact maintenance and oil change schedule for your particular direct injection vehicle, check your manual. If you don’t have it around, don’t lost heart; it can likely be found online.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to replace your spark plugs at the factory-recommended times. Performing fuel injector cleaning also helps keep things working the way they should.

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What do I do if I already have carbon build-up in my engine?

If your vehicle already has carbon build-up, don’t lose heart- procedures do exist that can get that stuff all cleaned out for you!