Fuel injector cleaner - does it work?

[zthang43]

I was wondering what experiences other people have had using fuel injector cleaner in their XJ's. I have a 91 4.0 HO with 213K miles on the original motor; it runs great but gas mileage has gone down hill, and I think the fuel injectors may be a little leaky. (When it's warm it sometimes takes a little while to start, seems like the fuel pump has to pressurize the fuel system since the injectors have let the pressure bleed off.)

Has anyone had good luck using injector cleaner (off the shelf stuff that you pour in the gas tank) to clean up high mileage injectors like mine? If so, what did you use?

I've used several different kinds on various vehicles in the past, but never really noticed much of a difference. I tried some Marvel Mystery Oil in one tank on my XJ a while back, but didn't notice any difference with that either.

[fdsa487]

I know that some people use it as regular maintenance on there vehicles but I have no experience with it. I'll keep watch on this thread though.

[UNCC_99XJ]

If you're looking for somethinig thats relatively cheap, can't go wrong with a bottle of Chevron Techron....which can be found anywhere.

But if you dont mind shellin out a few more bucks and can find a place near you that sells it, I also recommend BG44K (cost about $20 vs. the $7-8 for Chevron). I did a search on their website (http://www.bgfindashop.com/locator/index.php) and found that a Mazda dealer in my area sold just the can of injector cleaner for about $20. Most places have it in a complete fuel system overhaul kit, and dont want to break open the kit to sell you just the can (or charge you as much as the kit if they do).

Both i've had good results with. And remember, only run one can of fuel injector cleaner through per oil change. Too much can begin to break down your oil.

[5-90]

Acetone, four ounces to the tankful, once a quarter.

I can't say it honestly improves fuel mileage as yet (too much else that wants fixing,) but acetone is already used as a fuel additive anyhow (as a cleaner) and you'll just be upping the concentration slightly.

I have also found Berryman's B-12 to be useful, but acetone for a "maintenance cleaning" is rather cheaper - buy a quart can, and you've got eight treatments and the mix rate I gave above.

5-90

[RichP]

Also note the Chevron Techron comes in 4 varietys, 15oz Fuel system cleaner and fuel injector cleaner and 20oz bottle, get the big bottle of system cleaner and add it to an almost full tank...

[anony91xj]

Don't bother with the over-the-counter fuel additives. They're virtually worthless.

If you think your intake system, injectors, or valves are dirty (which is possible), take the car to a shop and ask them to do a fuel injection cleaning. One method uses cleaner sucked in through the throttle body, another uses a system where the fuel pump is disabled and the engine runs on the cleaner, which flows through the injectors like fuel. The latter is the one you want to use.

[RichP]

Don't bother with the over-the-counter fuel additives. They're virtually worthless.

If you think your intake system, injectors, or valves are dirty (which is possible), take the car to a shop and ask them to do a fuel injection cleaning. One method uses cleaner sucked in through the throttle body, another uses a system where the fuel pump is disabled and the engine runs on the cleaner, which flows through the injectors like fuel. The latter is the one you want to use.

Yes, 3M makes one, kit is down to about $50 now and a can of cleaner/fuel is around $17 last time I checked. It is an adapter that plugs into the schrader valve on the fuel rail, you remove the fuel pump fuse, plug it in like a can of A/C coolant and start the engine, let it run till it stalls, takes about 15-20 min.
My neighbor saw it on shade tree mechaincs about 6 years ago and ran out and bought one at napa, it was over $100 then and the cans were sold in a kit with a cleaner can and two fuel additives for around $50 or so.. I borrow it every year...

[Chasjr1]

Why are they "virtually worthless?

Google or Yahoo "techron fuel system cleaner" and the result will show people on the many automotive forums that pop up on the results page will have nothing but good to say about it.

"An ounce of prevention......"

[red91]

Why are they "virtually worthless?

Google or Yahoo "techron fuel system cleaner" and the result will show people on the many automotive forums that pop up on the results page will have nothing but good to say about it.

"An ounce of prevention......"


heres one little thing to think about....if it is going to clean the carbon deposits out of your system....shouldn't the additive EAT through a plastic container?

Sean foam, or BK44 (?) in a metal can are some of the better ones.

[kg4bet]

I like Sea Foam a can in a full tank every 25000 miles.

73's KG4BET

[SCW]

I'll post the obligitory "this has been covered 10,000,000 times if youi search.

That said, I will now pander to your unresearched whim-

I have used both Seafoam and BG 44k with decent results fromt he seafoam, and aoutstanding results from the BG 44k. You can *ahem* search for related posts under my username if you like for the full story.

The results I mentioned before are still being experienced now, several months later.

[lawsoncl]

Seafoam is mostly mineral oil, about 1/3rd Naptha and the rest is alcohol. Berryman's is 65% toluene, 25%-acetone, and about 10% misc hexanes. All this from the MSDS sheets. I just buy the raw ingredients at the HW store for 1/4 the price.

[SCW]

Seafoam is mostly mineral oil, about 1/3rd Naptha and the rest is alcohol. Berryman's is 65% toluene, 25%-acetone, and about 10% misc hexanes. All this from the MSDS sheets. I just buy the raw ingredients at the HW store for 1/4 the price.

Hey Lawson, where exactly in North Idaho are you? I used to live in Try and Moscow, I still have a bunch of family in Moscow and some in Kamei (sp?)

[blackbat21]

[QUOTE=RichP]Yes, 3M makes one, kit is down to about $50 now and a can of cleaner/fuel is around $17 last time I checked.


Where can you get this for $50.00???

[langer1]

One thats good is DragonPower by Castle Productes, I don't think you can find it on the West coast though. On the east coast Napa carries it.
BK44 works but is way over priced I would also recommend SeaFoam.

[zthang43]

Yes, 3M makes one, kit is down to about $50 now and a can of cleaner/fuel is around $17 last time I checked.


Where can you get this for $50.00???

X2

Sounds like a good idea, just need to know where to find it on the West Coast. I'll search around and post up if I find it around here.

[lawsoncl]

Hey Lawson, where exactly in North Idaho are you? I used to live in Try and Moscow, I still have a bunch of family in Moscow and some in Kamei (sp?)

Spirit Lake, about 20-minutes north of Coeur d'Alene.

[sjx40250]

With that many miles, I would seriously consider injector replacement. I had over 180K on my 90, owned since new. One of my injectors started leadking gas between the plastic and the metal housing. I bought 20# Green Meanies (Bosch) from FiveMotorSports online for $240. What a huge difference! Much better off the line, high end and better fuel economy (240+/tank to 280+/tank, commuting with AW4). I don't know why I waited so long!

I also have stock replacement K&N as well as Borla exhaust from the head to the tail with hgh flow cat. Had to use the adjustable MAP device to get it to pass emissions with Hotter plugs (used splitfires).

[falcon556]

Why not use gas that contains enough cleaners to keep everythig clean?
I have removed my intake at 150K and found it clean, the intake valves were shiny.
http://www.toptiergas.com/

[Russ Pottenger]

I use Redlines SI-1 Injector & Valve Detergent cleaner. Does a great job on injectors, and as a engine builder I'm seeing a big drop in deposits on the valves.

[RickyN29]

Just a funny side story....

Pay attention to what you pay! I was getting gas at Chevron. Told the clerk, "$40 on pump 2, plus a bottle of techron" I looked at my online bank statement....

Chevron Gas Station... $63.50

I called the station, the little bottle of Techron cost me $22.99 8-O

I was beyond pissed. I know it is stupid to ever buy stuff at the gas station, but I never thought they would rip me off THAT bad. Maybe 10-15 bucks...

[Rob Mayercik]

X2

Sounds like a good idea, just need to know where to find it on the West Coast. I'll search around and post up if I find it around here.

Apologies for the "back from the dead" bit, but while looking for ideas on why the extreme cold is causing my '92 to crank and not fire, I ran across the suggestion that the injectors might be dirty. That lead to searching on that, which led here.

I remember that "shadetree mechanic" episode as well - always thought it would be a neat thing to have in the toolbox, since the last time I let the dealer do it it ran me over $200.

Anyhow, I ran across the following link a couple weeks back: http://iecoklahoma.com/default.aspx

Their FI cleaning kit is a little more expensive ($79.50 shipped USPS) and doesn't come with a can of cleaner, but it does have a gauge built onto it which they say can do double duty for checking fuel pressure. I ordered one this morning, and with a little luck it'll be in by the weekend and I can give my injectors the cleaning they've probably been needing for many moons.

Rob

[RichP]

Apologies for the "back from the dead" bit, but while looking for ideas on why the extreme cold is causing my '92 to crank and not fire, I ran across the suggestion that the injectors might be dirty. That lead to searching on that, which led here.

I remember that "shadetree mechanic" episode as well - always thought it would be a neat thing to have in the toolbox, since the last time I let the dealer do it it ran me over $200.

Anyhow, I ran across the following link a couple weeks back: http://iecoklahoma.com/default.aspx

Their FI cleaning kit is a little more expensive ($79.50 shipped USPS) and doesn't come with a can of cleaner, but it does have a gauge built onto it which they say can do double duty for checking fuel pressure. I ordered one this morning, and with a little luck it'll be in by the weekend and I can give my injectors the cleaning they've probably been needing for many moons.

Rob

I did not see anything on there for the fuel/cleaner cans like I use when I borrow my neighbors 3M kit...

[Rob Mayercik]

I did not see anything on there for the fuel/cleaner cans like I use when I borrow my neighbors 3M kit...

The following two quotes are lifted from their "fuel injector cleaning kit page" (http://iecoklahoma.com/injclnkit.aspx):


This is designed to connect to the various "pro clean" type cans from the top. One is Borg-Warner "Professional Fuel Injector Cleaner #CSF56 with Intake Valve Cleaner Additive" NAPA sells the exact same cleaner as Echlin "pro clean" #CRB218489 or just 2-18489. 3M also sells a similar cleaner as #08956 or #08955. They rarely receive requests for it from the general public so it's usually kept in the back - in other words it may take them a while to look it up and locate it.

NAPA even lists the cleaner online, but how many towns don't have a NAPA store?

Cleaner chemical is not included due to shipping regulatons -
it's available locally from most larger auto parts stores.

Rob

[UncleBud]

I'm seeing some spottage on my manifold, so probably wouldn't hurt to replace my injectors. Looks like a couple have been, they're a shiny metal where the others are a black metal.