I shouldn't have used Walmart fuel cleaning service

[Cmobile]

I was recently relegated to having someone else change my oil and service my vehicles. Been using Walmart because of the Valvoline Restore and Protect oil.
In the past 3 oil changes, no issues.

New store this time and I opted for the $15 fuel system service.
In this case, hook up Valvoline fuel service kit, hung from hood, put small tube in intake plenum, start car and open valve on the hanging bottle. (High level overview description here) Then I believe a bottle in the tank.

After service, it took them 7 or 8 tries to get the vehicle started. No-start. It eventually started up and I picked up the car.
I popped the hood for a look-see. Oil level ok, but the lower part of the air filter is saturated with fuel cleaner. Car idled fine, I drove to part's store and picked up new Wix air filter. Car ran fine.
This morning, had a no-start condition. Took 3 tries but it started. Idled & drove fine after start and no CEL.

I'll put my reader on it before I drive it again.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

Lesson learned. Just run some Techron next time.

 

[Leo99]

Hopefully, it will work itself out and get better with the starting.

 

[Sayjac]

Yeah, having WM do any kind of service like that, injecting a "cleaner" through intake plenum really out of their depth. Imo, that type of service should be left only to the pros that specialize in that type "cleaning". As noted, bottle of Techron or Gumout Regane High Mileage CFSC or All in One, your best bet.

Hopefully no damage done and gets back to normal with lesson learned.

 

[rijndael]

I'd note that a bottle of Techron wouldn't clean the intake plenum/runners and TB, but this service could/would, if done properly.

 

[Cmobile]

I'd note that a bottle of Techron wouldn't clean the intake plenum/runners and TB, but this service could/would, if done properly.

This was my goal.

 

[cptbarkey]

In general fuel injected non DI gas systems either work, or they throw a CEL and run really badly. Best not to mess with it and stick with techron. DI systems need regular intake cleaning or good luck. Gas DI systems are best avoided imo except non emission diesels.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Definitely do not go for their colonoscopy service!

Just buy Redline high PEA fuel cleaner on Amazon. It has the most PEA, nothing else will make a difference IMHO.

 

[GW.]

Same service as BG. Even when done properly all that plenum and TB junk getting sucked into the engine isn’t the best idea.

 

[Variant_S]

How full is your tank? Valvoline's documentation says to use it with no less than a third of a tank of gas.

 

[rijndael]

DI systems need regular intake cleaning or good luck.

Unless it also has port injection, like a Toyota D4S or Ford's system. They also use the port injection system to keep the take valves clean.

 

[Hall]

How full is your tank? Valvoline's documentation says to use it with no less than a third of a tank of gas.

I've used "fuel system cleaners" that you dump in the tank that say use with a full tank but I've put them in with a 1/4 tank and no issues. OP's issue is more likely related to the intake cleaning portion, not what they dumped in the fuel tank.

 

[Hall]

New store this time and I opted for the $15 fuel system service.
In this case, hook up Valvoline fuel service kit, hung from hood, put small tube in intake plenum, start car and open valve on the hanging bottle. (High level overview description here) Then I believe a bottle in the tank.

For $15 ? That's a money-losing service for them for sure ! Usually services like this a) do little to nothing and b) cost substantially more (add a "0" to the end of their number).

 

[D60]

How important is it in most engines to get intake runners all that clean?

This is why I prefer to run it off the bottle with a true top end cleaner and then just pull the tb and clean by hand.

I feel like this is better for ~99% of port injection applications. DI......maybe not so much

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Unless it also has port injection, like a Toyota D4S or Ford's system. They also use the port injection system to keep the take valves clean.

Over 200k miles on our turbo DGI Nissan. Not 1 cleaning

 

[Ursatdx]

The key to the FI service that was performed is a high idle (2k RPM)
and slow introduction of chemical.
Allowing the chemical to be siphoned in at a rapid pace or at an idle can allow for
pooling of the fluid in the intake and in extreme cases hydrolocking.
It also requires a run of 2k RPM after the the vacuum line is re-connected to
insure the chemical has been allowed to run through the engine.

 

[melk]

Yeah was about to say….. I would be taking some wot pulls until things felt back to normal.

 

[wander2039]

Sounds like a loose hose to me. Had one of those treatments years ago on a Escort and no issues.

 

[D60]

We just dropped waste oil at our WM Auto Ctr and I told my wife of this thread. She said, "Walmart struggles to put on your filler cap after an oil change, I wouldn't let them do anything more."

This is based on her experience before we even knew each other.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Many years ago 1991 a local shop used a fuel injector service that if I remember correct consisted of a can of cleaner attached to the fuel line or system somehow so the car actually ran on that can of cleaner for a bit.
I recall it made a noticeable improvement.

Does any one know IF that direct connected cleaning systems still exist and can you still use that style "pro" cleaner on cars made today?

Yea, I would not have used Walmart for that ( I have used Walmart once to change my oil in a car I paid $650 for ).

looking back over the last 40 years of oil changes I will now only use a dealer for a oil change or do it myself but even using a dealer its not 100% as I have had a dealer actually damage my car doing a simple oil change!

That said, I could actually write a book ( or make a short film ) with mishaps I have experienced using a shop or quick lube that did not have Ford, Chevy etc on the door!

I will use a 3rd party shop to save labor $ on a older car if its a major actual repair over say $500 but as example my Ford dealer using his mobil service will come to my house and change my oil using Motorcraft oil and filter, rotate tires and do multi point starting around $60-$70 with Coupon.
The mobil guy was a pro and being he did the service in my driveway, I sat on the porch and watch his every move! Being able to watch every move is PRICELESS! I also use Discount Tire as I like the big window so I can watch. Its alwasy when you can't watch the damage is done.

When having my Hellcat oil changed at the dealer I will ask for a certified SRT tech to do the oil change. With a place like Walmart, If I was a certified mechanic I kinda doubt I would be working at Walmart and YES I have a lot against Walmart in general.

From what I see is at least at my local store, Walmart has a terrible employee "CULTURE" problem that flows from the top down.
Perhaps, not every employee but 90+% of the Walmart employees I have contact with as most are always in a bad mood, grumpy and LAZY! You Seldom see a smile!

I can only remember one nice employee in the last 20 years, its a Culture issue and I don't want someone in a bad mood doing anything to my car.

I