Decarbonising the engine: what it is, when to do it and advantages

As components wear out and your car ages, it’s normal to lose performance. One of the ways to alleviate this situation is decarbonize or engine.

Engine decarbonization, i.e. the internal cleaning of the engineit is an intervention that must be carried out on the parts that are in direct contact with the internal combustion process. In this way it is possible to recover part of the lost performance.

know what it is, how it’s done and how to know if your engine needs to be decarbonizedcontinue reading.

A decarbonization of the engine it is a process of cleaning the inside of a vehicle’s engine, removing carbon deposits that build up over time.

These deposits can form on valves, pistons, injectors and other engine parts, harming vehicle performance.

A Carbon buildup occurs due to incomplete combustion of fuelespecially in diesel engines and vehicles that travel short distances or are used in heavy traffic conditions.

The need to decarbonise the engine varies depending on the use of the vehicle and the type of fuel used. However, there are some signs that it may be time to consider this service:

1. Loss of power: If the vehicle appears to have less power, especially when climbing hills or accelerating, carbon deposits may prevent the engine from functioning properly.
2. Increased fuel consumption: Carbon buildup can cause less efficient combustion, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
3. Ignition failures: Difficulty starting up, the engine «hiccups» or running, failing, are signs that the engine may need decarbonization.
4. Red smoke from the exhaust pipe: as the quantity of fuel to be burned increases, combustion will be greater and black or blue smoke will be produced. Similarly, when the exhaust pipe is blocked, black smoke is also produced.
5. Engine light on: AND engine warning light lights up on the dashboard, it could be a sign of problems caused by carbon deposits.

Experts recommend carrying out the decarbonisation after the first 100,000 km and then every 30,000-40,000 kmor as directed by the vehicle manufacturer. For diesel vehicles this frequency may be higher depending on the fuel type.

They exist various methods to decarbonise the engine, each with its advantages and disadvantages:

It uses special chemicals that dissolve carbon deposits. It may be effective in the early stages, but not in the late stages, when carbon deposits have already become a palpable problem.

It is a relatively simple method and can be done without disassembling the engine.

Injects hydroxyl oxygen (HHO) into the engine intake systemburning carbon deposits. It is the most used method. Be equally effective and environmentally friendly.

It involves disassemble the engine to clean it manually the affected components. It is more invasive and generally more expensive, but may be necessary for very resistant deposits.

Prices vary, but average It can cost between 100 and 300 eurosdepending on the method used and the service provided.

Decarbonize the engine brings with it a series of advantages which will help us, among other things, to pass the car inspection without problems in terms of emissions. The advantages are:

1. Performance improvement: Removing carbon deposits allows the engine to run more efficiently, resulting in better acceleration response.
2. Reduced fuel consumption: A clean engine burns fuel more efficiently, which can lead to reduced fuel consumption.
3. Lower polluting emissions: Decarbonization contributes to more complete combustion, reducing the emission of polluting gases and contributing to compliance with environmental standards.
4. Longer engine life: By keeping your engine free of carbon deposits, you can prevent premature wear of internal components, extending the life of your engine.
5. Save on maintenance: Prevention reduces the need for costly repairs in the future.

Before concluding, it should be noted that diesel engines are particularly susceptible to carbon buildup due to the nature of the fuel.

In these cases, decarbonization is particularly beneficial for these enginesas it can prevent common problems, such as blocked injection nozzles and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system failures.

Decarbonize the engine is a process that can bring multiple benefits to your vehicle, from improving performance and efficiency to extending engine life. Furthermore, it also contributes to a cleaner environment by reducing polluting emissions.

Trust specialized professionals to carry out this service and book your workshop service at Caetano Retail now!