carbon buildup and bad fuel?

[chili]

I have a 2002 Nissan NV with only 50,000 miles that the manufacturer says I should use gasahol 95. I live in Thailand and 95 is 10% ethanol. I gave her a tune up, but she coughs and stalls sometimes, but not always.Should I use a fuel additive to clean carbon deposits? Will it work on the throttle body as well? And the MAF? What should I do?
Thanks!

Topic

[Alex]

Re-post this in the “Service and Repair Questions Answered Here” section and you’ll get more replies. 🙂

What did you do for the tune up? Did it have problems before the tune up?

Fuel additives will only clean the fuel system, valves, and combustion chamber. The throttle body will need manual cleaning, same with the MAF.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Carbon buildup isn’t always fuel related. More often than not it’s a result of the engine getting worn and increased blow by. That said, be sure to change your oil regularly in order to prevent deposits.

As for the deposits themselves, you might consider this method with a squirt bottle.

[zero]

There are certain products out there that can work in either the gas tank or through the intake. However For use in the intake you use a vacuum line after the throttle body. Please use only throttle body cleaner and not carb cleaner if you do decide to clean your throttle body. Also if your vehicle has a drive-by-wire throttle body, do not clean it. Although being a 2002 I doubt it is.

[Lorrin Barth]

Some vehicles have a coating along the edges of the throttle plate. This allows the throttle plate to seal when the throttle is closed. Mistake this coating for carbon buildup, remove it and you have really messed things up. :ohmy:

[Author]

Replies