fuel injector cleaner

[binger59]

Does anyone run injector cleaner through their fuel. The guy that I bought my first van from said not to because it gums up the injectors. I've never done it since he told me that. Is this the case or was he misinformed?
bing

[Randy in Maine]

Mis informed I would say.

I like to run a can through it every 5K miles or so, but it really doesn't do much good or harm.

If you think yours are munged up, just send them off to cruzinperformance or witch hunter and have them cleaned and calibrated for <$100.

[tencentlife]

I would have to say he's misinformed. What gums up injectors is varnish residue accumulating on the fuel-handling parts of the injector. Cleaner dissolves the varnish and cleans the parts, especially the very finely-fitted nozzle and pintle which create the orifice and define the spray pattern.

Cleaner is a good thing, but there are some inferior products on the market, I suppose. I use a bottle of Techron about once a year, although I often fill at Chevron where the Techron is blended in the gas. It's been tested by Consumer Reports to actually do the job. Good thing to do an oil change soon afterward as petroleum distillates tend to thin the oil some.

Marvel Mystery Oil is also used by some as a fuel additive. It has detergents and will clean and lube the fuel system, as well as provide a little upper cylinder lubrication. Can't hurt. I don't know how effective it is at cleaning dirty injectors, though, compared to petroleum distillates like Techron. I would look at the MMO as more a maintenance thing than an outright cleaner, but I'm sure others will differ.
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[devesvws]

i like BG 44K but i would be carefull with harsh additives. it not only cleans the fi system, but i also think its knocking crud loose in the tank. i also think the 10% ethanol gas at first played havoc with my bug and the vanagon when it was unleashed on most of us in spring of 06. my vanagon did not have clogged fuel fliter problems until the sumer of 06, not long after using the 10% blend. its just now started to settle down after about a doz fliter changes in the past 18 months. and i have not had to change the fliter in a few months.

[Bruce Wayne]

I use the Lucas brand every now and then,i'd say every 7-10 tank fulls.

[binger59]

I've heard of the MMO thing before. How much of it do you add to the tank.

[thumpergti84]

I use Redline.

[devesvws]

[wavanagon]

[m2008s]

[Lanval]

I was actually having a problem with stumbling acceleration; figuring at worst it was a $4 waste, I put a bottle of techron into about 1/2 a tank. Stumbling was gone by the end of the tank, never to return. I think cleaners of this sort are generally in the won't help much, won't harm at all range. This time it worked, so I'll be using Techron periodically after the engine rebuild, just to keep things on the cleaner side.

That said, getting your injectors cleaned is by far the better solution, and not much more in terms of money.

Recommend you try Cruzin or Witchhunter; I know every Volvo guy I've talked with that has done so has been more than satisfied with cost, service and quality of both shops.

Best,

Lanval

[wavanagon]

Ever since I could drive I have always tried to fill up w/ Chevron. All of my cars have been very happy, and very low maintenance, even under heavy use conditions. I don't know squat about fuels (so I won't claim this/that/&theother), but what I do know is that Chevron fuels have been very good to me and the engines in all of the vehicles that I have owned. fwiw.......
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[RCB]

I try and use Chevron gas as well. Lately Ive been using Arco because its Supreme gas is 50cents cheaper than Chevrons regular gas.
I recall a posting from ratwell that said he liked STP cause it contained
Jet Fuel in its formula.
Dr Bill Wattenberg ( anyone hear of him ) says all gas is the same and with the cleaners and detergents they put in todays gas its a waste of money to put in a Supreme when a Regular will work just as well and its just throwing money away to use any of injector cleaner.
I was told not to use any type of fuel injector cleaner or any type of fuel system cleaner cause it will degrade the seals on the injectors.
I havent used any cleaners of any kind since my engine rebuild and I did have FIC Corp, rebuild my injectors so Im going to leave well enough alone.
Maybe my next long trip Ill drop a few oz's of MMO in the tank just for giggles.
Its funny how we hear so many different opinions on the same subject, but thats what keeps the world rotating..

[pete000]

I really like Amzoil PI, the stuff has a lube to help the valve guides. Old engines seem to respond well to it. I have been using it for years.

Chevron Techtron is also very good but mostly a cleaner i think.
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[bucko]

Splurge every 5th tank fillup with Shell, Mobile, or Exxon, and with a mid or high grade fillup. All three use a good fuel cleaning additive that helps keep the injectors clean.

Or follow the advice abouve and add a pint full of the fuel injector cleaner you can buy at your favorite FLAPS.
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[msinabottle]

I alternate between BG 44-K, which is considered the industry standard of fuel injector cleaners, and Techron--which is half as expensive. I'm essentially covering my bases. I must be doing something right, Winston purrs like a 4-cylinder opposed kitten. I only run the F.I. cleaners, though, twice in the year. You can overdo anything.

I do run the MMO in Winston's gas, not in his oil. Larry Blazer liked the idea, the Boxer isn't the worse at all for some top-end lubrication, and I find myself inclined to believe Marvel when they say it would prevent carbon deposits in the injectors. May as well keep the rings from getting too gummed up.

If you REALLY want to do something for your injectors, 'ticularly in an older Vanagon, make sure you've got two fuel filters in place--the little plastic one before the fuel pump, and the great big metal 'can' one after it. tencentlife so terrified me on the subject of what particles would do to my injectors that I retrofitted a 'can' into Winston at once.



Best!
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[Wildthings]

If I have an engine that isn't running right and I think that the problem is fuel related, whether fuel injected or carbed, the first thing I do is add fuel injection/carb cleaner. Real often the problem clears up within seconds. Can't imagine sending injectors out to be cleaned when when a $2 bottle will do the trick. I used to worry that I would damage some seal or hose doing this, but in twenty years of pouring cleaner in once or so a year I have never had any problem.

[RCB]

Greetings Wildthings...what brand of cleaner are you using.

[klucz]

Italian tune up = 1 can BG 44K + open highway at night + foot floored

I have no idea how effective 44K really is but I know a tuner who has helped many panic stricken customers who showed up at his shop with a rough running engine. After adding a can and going for a high rpm spin they were sent happily on their way.
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[RCB]

What the hell is BJ 44K+...........Im a bench rest rifle shooter and this sounds like a "wild cat" cartridge some one has developed...
Can you be mnore specific.