Additive to clean the engine from swelling: the complete guide

The accumulation of solid carbon deposits in the internal combustion engine is an inevitable companion of operation, which sooner or later begins to cause serious problems for any driver. The accumulation of solid carbon deposits on the pistons, valves and combustion chambers leads to a drop in compression, increased oil consumption and detonation. Ignoring these symptoms often ends with expensive overhauls or replacement of the power unit, which in modern conditions is an economically impractical solution.

Chemical fuel-cleaning The method of dissolving and removing combustion products without interfering with the design of the engine, which is especially true for complex modern engines, however, the effectiveness of the procedure depends on the right choice of means, adherence to the technology and understanding of the chemistry of the process.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how a carbon monoxide engine cleanser works, what types of compounds exist, and how to do the procedure yourself without harming the car, learn about the differences between soft and hard decoxing methods, and get answers to the most common questions that car owners have before buying chemicals.

Causes of the formation of sodium and its effect on the operation of the engine

The main cause of solid deposits in the cylinder-piston group is incomplete combustion of the fuel-air mixture. Under ideal conditions, gasoline or diesel burns completely, turning into carbon dioxide and water, but in reality the process always goes with deviations. Low-quality fuels containing large amounts of resins and aromatic compounds leave behind a significant amount of soot, which settles on hot surfaces.

Special role in education smog When the engine is running, microscopic oil droplets inevitably enter the combustion chamber through the gaps of the piston rings or the ventilation system of the crankcase gases. Mineral oils They tend to produce more deposits than synthetics, but even the best synthetics coke when overheated or at long intervals of replacement, and this is especially critical for direct injection engines, where nozzles can become swelled, breaking the spray torch.

The consequences of ignoring the problem can be fatal to the life of the engine. Nagar, settling on the bottom of the piston, reduces the volume of the combustion chamber, which leads to increased compression and detonation. The critical point is the occurrence of piston rings, when they lose mobility and stop removing oil from the walls of the cylinder, causing oil glutton and bullies. Also, deposits can accumulate on the valves, preventing them from fitting tightly to the saddles, which leads to burnout of the valve and loss of compression.

⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the oil consumption is over 0.5 liters per 1000 km and there is blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, this is a direct sign that the rings have already lost mobility.

Classification of means for engine decoking

The autochemical market offers many solutions, and it's important to understand the difference between them so that you don't harm the car. You can divide them into several categories, according to the way you operate and the way you use them, and the wrong product choices can lead to the corroding of rubber seals or the sludge in the oil ducts, rather than cleaning them.

The first group is hard-cookingThese are highly aggressive compounds designed to dissolve dense, old-fashioned soda, which work effectively at high temperatures and require strict timing, because prolonged contact can damage the lacquer coating of pistons or rubber elements.

The second group is soft cleaners, which are added to motor oil 100 to 200 kilometers before it's replaced, and they're more delicate, gradually softening the deposits, and the third type is fuel cleaners, which are added to the gas tank, and they help keep the intake valves and injectors clean, but they're powerless against the intake in the cylinder piston group.

• 🧪 Aggressive solvents: contain acetone, dimexide or kerosene in high concentrations, require a complete oil change after application.
• 💧 Soft washing: based on surfactants and light solvents, safe for osteoils, but ineffective against coking rings.
• ⛽ Fuel additives: They work in the combustion process, clean the combustion chamber "from above", but do not penetrate the rings.

The choice of the specific means depends on the condition of the engine and the desired result, to prevent the regular use of quality fuel additives and timely change of oil, if the engine already consumes oil and lost traction, you will need to use the application of the application of the engine. hard-boil with all precautionary measures.

Preparation of the engine for the cleaning procedure

The success of the operation to remove the deposit 80% depends on proper preparation. Before starting work, you need to warm the engine to operating temperature to the thermocycle was as efficient as possible, cold metal reacts less to chemical agents, and the viscosity of the oil at low temperature will not allow the decay products to be effectively washed out of the system.

After heating up, the car must be mounted on a flat horizontal platform, which is critical to ensure that the level of liquid in the cylinders is the same, and the chemistry does not flow through the open valves into the collector or does not go into the crankcase prematurely, and the necessary tool should be prepared: a collar, extension, candle key and a syringe for pumping out the residue of liquid.

Be sure to check the oil level before the procedure. If the oil is old and dirty, it is better to replace it in advance or be ready for a double replacement. During the decoking process, some of the aggressive solvent will inevitably enter the crankcase, reducing the lubricating properties of the oil, so you can not save on the filter and oil after the procedure.

Step by step instructions: how to make a decoking yourself

The procedure for cleaning the engine from coal requires care and consistency of actions. Violation of the technology can lead to hydraulic shock or damage to engine components. Below is the instruction for the method of "hard" decoking, which is most effective for eliminating oil jelly.

First, unscrew all spark plugs (on a gasoline engine) or nozzles/calculators (on a diesel engine). Through the holes formed, use a syringe to pour 30-50 ml of cleaning liquid into each cylinder, the amount depends on the cylinder volume and the manufacturer's recommendations. It is important to distribute the liquid evenly.

After pouring, spin the candles back, but do not tighten them to the end to create pressure. Leave the engine for the time specified in the instructions (usually from 1 to 12 hours). Periodically, every 15-20 minutes, it is recommended to turn the crankshaft with the starter several times so that the liquid penetrates the rings. Attention: Before scrolling the starter be sure to unscrew the candles, otherwise there will be a hydraulic shock that will bend the rods!

After a while, pump the residue of liquid out of the cylinders with a syringe. Then twist the candles and start the engine. It will work unevenly, smoke and give an unpleasant odor - it's normal, the chemistry and the residue of the coal burn out. Let the engine work for 10-15 minutes, then turn off and completely replace the engine oil and filter.

Phase	Action.	Time/Parameters	Risks.
1. Warming up	Singles' jobs	Before the fan is turned on	Overheating with long standing
2. Pouring	Introduction of the composition into cylinders	30-50 ml per cylinder	Skin/eye exposure
3. Exposure	Defending	1-12 hours	Corrosion with long contact
4. Pumping	Scrolling with a starter	3-5 seconds every 20 minutes	Hydroshock (without twisted candles)
5. Finished.	Starting and replacing oil	10-15 minutes of work	Oil pump clogging

⚠️ Attention: Never leave aggressive chemicals in the engine for more than 12 hours. Prolonged exposure can destroy rubber valve seals and damage the antifriction coating of pistons.

What if the engine smoked even more after decoking?

If the smoke increased after the procedure, it could mean that the soda softened and started to burn out actively, clogging the catalyst. It's also possible that the rings got loose and started letting more oil through until it was ablution again. If the smoke is black and it's going on all the time, maybe the soda piece got under the valve.

Comparison of popular brands and compositions

Choosing a specific product on a store shelf can baffle even an experienced motorist. Marketing promises often diverge from reality, so it is worth relying on the chemical composition and reviews of professionals. Market leaders are traditionally considered Japanese and American brands, although domestic chemistry shows good results.

Japanese compositions, such as Shumacher or Hi-GearThey are often based on less aggressive solvents, making them safe for modern thin-coated engines, which are softer but require more frequent use or longer exposure times. Liqui Moly or WynnsThey often have a more powerful chemical shock, effectively removing coke, but require strict control.

Domestic resources, such as Lavr or Gzox They're very good at handling heavy loads on older engines, but they can be risky on new engines with complex GRM lubrication systems. It's important to note that corrosion inhibitors are present.

• 🇯🇵 Japanese chemistry: High price, soft action, safety for catalysts and sensors.
• 🇺🇸 American brands: Price-quality balance, versatility, often contain friction modifiers.
• 🇷🇺 Russian analogues: Low cost, high aggressiveness, efficiency on highly contaminated engines.

The choice also includes engine type: Diesels with particulate filters (DPF) and gasoline engines with direct injection (GDI/TSI) need specialized formulations that do not contain metal compounds that can poison the catalyst.

Frequent errors and precautions

Despite the apparent simplicity, the decoking procedure carries risks, the most common mistake is neglecting to change the oil and filter immediately after the procedure, dissolved soda and residues of chemistry trapped in the crankcase turn fresh oil into an abrasive mixture that can disable the crankshaft inserts in a few hundred kilometers.

Another mistake is to try to clean a badly worn engine, and if the gaps in the cylinder-piston group are already large because of the output, the chemistry can wash away the residue of the coal that was the sealant, and the compression will not increase, and the oil consumption may even increase. Decoxing It is prevention or treatment in the early stages, not a way to resuscitate a dead motor.

Also, fire safety is important, because there are fuel solvents, and you can't use open fires or sparkling tools near open candle wells, and you should do it in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, using gloves and goggles.

⚠️ Attention: Do not decoding on a chain-driven engine if the mileage exceeds 200,000 km without changing the circuit. Aggressive chemistry can wash the grease from the chain tensioner, which will lead to its jump and the valves meet the pistons.

Effect of the procedure on engine life

Many drivers wonder if this procedure is harmful to the life of the motor, and if properly executed and used, the effects are extremely positive, and compression recovery and removal of the coke reduce the load on the cylinder walls, reduce the risk of bullies, and normalize the temperature of the piston group.

However, if you use too many compounds, you can thin the protective oxide film on aluminum or damage the rubber elements. The optimal frequency of preventive decoking is every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers of run or before every second oil change. For older engines with high oil consumption, the procedure can be repeated more often, but using softer compounds.

In the long run, regular use of quality fuel additives and timely oil change reduce the need for a hard chemical cleaning. An engine that runs on good fuel and oil will grow in charcoal minimally, maintaining its performance throughout its life.

To sum up, a carbon cleaner is a powerful tool in the hands of a competent owner, extending the life of the engine, saving on repairs and restoring the dynamics of the car, and the main thing is to approach the business wisely, choose quality products and strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Can you mix different types of scaling?

It is strongly recommended not to mix products of different manufacturers, their chemical formulas can react, forming a solid precipitate or releasing gas, which will lead to unpredictable consequences for the engine.

Should I change the candles after the scorching?

It is advisable to replace spark plugs after the procedure, as they could precipitate the soda or residues of chemistry. Old candles can be cleaned and calcined, but it is more reliable to put a new kit to ensure stable spark formation.

Will the decoking help if the engine is already eating a liter of oil for 100 km?

With this oil consumption, the probability of success is about 50%, if the rings are just lying on coke, it will help, and if there is mechanical production of cylinders or damage to the holon, you will need a weed or a socket of the block.

Is the decoking dangerous for the catalyst?

Aggressive compounds can damage the cells of the catalyst when the residues of the chemical burn out. It is recommended to assess the condition of the catalyst before the procedure, and then check its effectiveness. For cars with eco-standards, it is better to use special soft compounds.

Can I use a cold engine to drive?

No, it's going to reduce the efficiency of the procedure. The chemical reaction of soda dissolution is going on at high temperatures. On a cold engine, the compound just flows into the crankcase, diluting the oil, but not cleaning the piston group.

How often can I repeat the procedure?

Hard decoking with filling in cylinders is not recommended to do more than once in 30-40 thousand km of run. Frequent use of aggressive chemistry can adversely affect the resource of rubber seals and valve glands.