Gas Injector Cleaner additive?

[50yr Street Mech]

I don't use top tier gasolines. Use the cheapest fuel I notice when driving around town. So, I throw a bottle of Chevron/Techron every now and again along with HEET red bottle to get any moisture out. So far, no problems.

 

[melk]

Follow up question: Are the cleaners with PEA more effective cleaners than the ones without PEA?

Yes. PEA is the primary/most effective cleaning agent.

 

[TeCaDoN]

Keep in mind, that unless you have a dual injection engine (GDI and Port) that there is little you can do to prevent carbon buildup on the backside of the intake valves. You can run all of the cleaner in the world and if it is going to be a problem, the best you can do is have it walnut blasted when it becomes bad.

Given that you said 'brand new' you're going to have GDI to deal with, hopefully you've got some port injectors as well to keep it at bay.

So really fixing the cause is best way. I mod every vehicle I get, even new and my daily drivers to a point. Minor bolt ons that optimize things like I use Green Filters (drop in) turbo engines I upgraded diverter valve and wastegate actuators etc things that do either increase response or power from efficiency, flow, or how the power is delivered. I tune them all as well. I also use Top Tier 93 octane fuel so I optimize for that as well. (I now use ValveTec Non-Ethanol 93 Octane Top Tier + fuel Phillips 66 blend made here locally that makes more power and I pick-up about 30% better MPG) But I also run and have been using Tracy Lewis Catch Can systems on all my engines especially GDI, to keep the coking of oil on the intake valves away and this has given me 1-3 MPG increase as well, also the dilution of the fuel from the Direct Injection is reduced immensely. I use AMSOIL Signature Series 5w50 to combat this as well, all my engines call for 5w30 and I also use the same catch can on my 03 Silverado single turbo with port injection to keep things nice and clean too.. Even my 2021 Colorado v6 that has the new oil separation system update, still has carbon buildup I have seen from others and some tried Catch Cans but basic Amazon type. A the full time vacuum, and using the venturi tube for WOT the Catch Can system does its duty and my valves and pistons etc look great. (but I have some because I did not install until 20k miles 40k now)

but in terms of Dual Injection it can help but less common, but I have some insight from some tuning and testing. The new Ecoboost engines have the new PFDI. Port injection is fully operable and active at all times but only supplying around 5-10% of the fuel based on engine size and load at full throttle. The RPM at which it starts to be added to by the Direct injection is dependent. The basics are if your piddly putting around and staying out of a load on the engine (think turbos spooling in) the Port injection will be handling things. You push the engine and the Direct injection comes on and starts adding in fuel, seems to happen or phase in around 2000-3000 rpm range. Ford seems to be trying to limit carbon build up and the engine ending LSPI which on turbo charged engines can be common. Now some are going the opposite way and doing DI all the time and supplementing PI, and that is not the answer IMO. Depending on oil, change intervals, driving habits.

Now in terms of cleaners just run Top tier fuel Shell, Mobil, Exxon, Phillips there are many and I use a bottle of Amsoil PI before each oil change I run a tank of fuel through it then change oil. I do changes at 5-6k on my 21 V6 Colorado(40k miles) and 20 Equinox 2.0t (130k miles), it really helps keep those injectors and all clean, I need to bore scope before and after that tank of fuel with that in it.