Methods and systems are provided for mitigating issues related to sluggish engine performance. In one example, a method comprises, responsive to an indication of degradation of one or more cylinders in the engine, reducing carbon buildup associated with the one or more cylinders via injecting a diesel exhaust fluid into an intake manifold of the engine while the engine is combusting air and fuel. In this way, a water content of the diesel exhaust fluid may be vaporized in the one or more engine cylinders, which may effectively reduce the carbon buildup.