carbon buildup

Throttle Body Cleaning: DIY Guide to Improve Performance

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Throttle Body Cleaning: DIY Guide to Improve Performance

It was a Tuesday morning in late October, the kind where you can see your breath in the shop before the heaters kick in. A customer pulled up in a 2015 Honda Civic with 87,000 miles, complaining about a rough idle and occasional stalling at stop lights. “It feels like the car wants to die,” … Read more

Engine Knocking Noise: What It Means and How to Fix It

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Engine Knocking Noise: What It Means and How to Fix It

Quick Answer Engine knocking noise is a metallic pinging or rattling sound caused by abnormal combustion (detonation) or worn mechanical parts. Common fixes: use higher-octane fuel, clean carbon buildup, replace spark plugs, or repair bottom-end bearings. DIY cost: $20–$400. Shop cost: $200–$3,500. Tuesday, 7:15 a.m., 38 °F in the shop—my coffee hadn’t even cooled when … Read more