Is injector cleaner necessary part of maintenance?
- Thread starter Euler
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I use it regularly in all my cars the past 10 yrs or so. I use B12 every 2 months and Techron every 6. Piece of mind.
I also don't stray from the gas stations I use.
I also don't stray from the gas stations I use.
Originally Posted By: Euler
I have never used injector cleaner before in my EFI cars and was wondering if it was a gimmick or a proven way to keep your car running properly. I haven't really heard of blocked injectors being a common problem with EFI cars.
If you use top quality fuel you don't get injectors gum up before they wear out, BUT if you use cheap fuel and don't use a good approved fuel additive it can happen, then you might need to use a direct feed injection cleaner.
If you are doing an annual UOA then the fuel contamination figure will give a hint if you might need to run some cleaner.
I have never used injector cleaner before in my EFI cars and was wondering if it was a gimmick or a proven way to keep your car running properly. I haven't really heard of blocked injectors being a common problem with EFI cars.
If you use top quality fuel you don't get injectors gum up before they wear out, BUT if you use cheap fuel and don't use a good approved fuel additive it can happen, then you might need to use a direct feed injection cleaner.
If you are doing an annual UOA then the fuel contamination figure will give a hint if you might need to run some cleaner.
Tons of detailed info on here regarding the subject if you search. I say yes, unleaded/E10 gas and its sulfur warrants a PEA fuel system cleaner every 20k.
The better ones contain UCL, and will help clean the entire system as opposed to just an injector.
I use an Amsoil PI cleaner every oil change, piece of mind. I'm pretty sure I'll never have injector problems.
I might have other problems, but not my injectors.....
I might have other problems, but not my injectors.....
grab some on sale and use as you please.
IMO, it's a waste of money.
Obviously to really answer this question you'd need to do a carefully controlled study with many vehicles and different types of fuel and driving style. That would be expensive, so nobody's done it. All we have is anecdotes.
So, IMHO, try an injector cleaner that contains PEA if and only if you're experiencing decreased fuel economy, a poor idle, or some such, and see if it helps. Or you could use it religiously to prevent a problem that may never happen for "piece of mind", as PZR2874 so eloquently put it.
So, IMHO, try an injector cleaner that contains PEA if and only if you're experiencing decreased fuel economy, a poor idle, or some such, and see if it helps. Or you could use it religiously to prevent a problem that may never happen for "piece of mind", as PZR2874 so eloquently put it.
Originally Posted By: Euler
I have never used injector cleaner before in my EFI cars and was wondering if it was a gimmick or a proven way to keep your car running properly. I haven't really heard of blocked injectors being a common problem with EFI cars.
As a fleet owner who spends thousands and thousands of dollars every month on fuel I can tell you we have never had an injector issue since our trucks became port fuel injected! No wear outs or replacements ever.
It's a greatly over-exaggerated problem, at least on GMC V8 trucks.
I have never used injector cleaner before in my EFI cars and was wondering if it was a gimmick or a proven way to keep your car running properly. I haven't really heard of blocked injectors being a common problem with EFI cars.
As a fleet owner who spends thousands and thousands of dollars every month on fuel I can tell you we have never had an injector issue since our trucks became port fuel injected! No wear outs or replacements ever.
It's a greatly over-exaggerated problem, at least on GMC V8 trucks.
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Originally Posted By: gman2304
I use Techron a couple times a year. Never had a problem. YMMV
I've never used a fuel additive in 60 years of driving, and I've never had a fuel problem, carburetor or fuel injection.
I use Techron a couple times a year. Never had a problem. YMMV
I've never used a fuel additive in 60 years of driving, and I've never had a fuel problem, carburetor or fuel injection.
Originally Posted By: gman2304
I use Techron a couple times a year. Never had a problem. YMMV
Specious reasoning.
I use Techron a couple times a year. Never had a problem. YMMV
Specious reasoning.
When the term 'necessary' is used,arguments can ensue.
But a good fuel system/injector cleaner/ valve deposit remover once or twice a year is a great maintenance procedure.
No doubt.
But a good fuel system/injector cleaner/ valve deposit remover once or twice a year is a great maintenance procedure.
No doubt.
My experience: About 8-10 years ago my LS400 barely passed the bi-annual smog check, a month or 2 before the next smog check I added 2 bottles of Redline SI-1 in 2 consecutive fill ups (1 per fill up), the test result was outstanding at less than 10-15% of allowed numbers.
Since then I added either Redline SI-1 or Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner every other year before smog check.
Did the engine performs any different before, during and after Redline or Techron added ? None that I can felt.
Since then I added either Redline SI-1 or Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner every other year before smog check.
Did the engine performs any different before, during and after Redline or Techron added ? None that I can felt.
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Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: Euler
I have never used injector cleaner before in my EFI cars and was wondering if it was a gimmick or a proven way to keep your car running properly. I haven't really heard of blocked injectors being a common problem with EFI cars.
As a fleet owner who spends thousands and thousands of dollars every month on fuel I can tell you we have never had an injector issue since our trucks became port fuel injected! No wear outs or replacements ever.
It's a greatly over-exaggerated problem, at least on GMC V8 trucks.
Ok..What about the fuel system as a whole? What are your thoughts on the following..
The EVAP system and the different valves. Having worked on a few all I can ever find wrong are stuck valves. Smashing them open they look discolored and are stuck from a what looks like corrosion or deposits. What exactly I'm not sure.
Oil consumption. Burning a quart of oil every 3k for 120k no doubt the combustion chamber is less than efficient. Dirty plugs, dirty piston tops, heavily deposited valves that don't seat properly or could burn up, intake and exhaust ports heavily sooted.
In tank fuel pump, the sock, fuel sending units and other fuel pressure related items along the fuel line being exposed to E10 unleaded sulfur.
So putting the injectors aside, is the above enough reason to use a PEA/UCL/protectant fuel system cleaner at the end of a 10k OCI in hopes they can help in these areas?
Originally Posted By: Euler
I have never used injector cleaner before in my EFI cars and was wondering if it was a gimmick or a proven way to keep your car running properly. I haven't really heard of blocked injectors being a common problem with EFI cars.
As a fleet owner who spends thousands and thousands of dollars every month on fuel I can tell you we have never had an injector issue since our trucks became port fuel injected! No wear outs or replacements ever.
It's a greatly over-exaggerated problem, at least on GMC V8 trucks.
Ok..What about the fuel system as a whole? What are your thoughts on the following..
The EVAP system and the different valves. Having worked on a few all I can ever find wrong are stuck valves. Smashing them open they look discolored and are stuck from a what looks like corrosion or deposits. What exactly I'm not sure.
Oil consumption. Burning a quart of oil every 3k for 120k no doubt the combustion chamber is less than efficient. Dirty plugs, dirty piston tops, heavily deposited valves that don't seat properly or could burn up, intake and exhaust ports heavily sooted.
In tank fuel pump, the sock, fuel sending units and other fuel pressure related items along the fuel line being exposed to E10 unleaded sulfur.
So putting the injectors aside, is the above enough reason to use a PEA/UCL/protectant fuel system cleaner at the end of a 10k OCI in hopes they can help in these areas?
Originally Posted By: NateDN10
Obviously to really answer this question you'd need to do a carefully controlled study with many vehicles and different types of fuel and driving style. That would be expensive, so nobody's done it. All we have is anecdotes.
Chevron did it as part of their Techron development.
Hence the dosing and usage guidance.
But it was a while ago and modern engines would probably warrant a follow up field study.
Obviously to really answer this question you'd need to do a carefully controlled study with many vehicles and different types of fuel and driving style. That would be expensive, so nobody's done it. All we have is anecdotes.
Chevron did it as part of their Techron development.
Hence the dosing and usage guidance.
But it was a while ago and modern engines would probably warrant a follow up field study.
I do injector cleaning every morning as I merge on the highway at full blast with my right foot burning the gas pedal into the carpet. It really opens up the injectors and does a sort of "pressure wash". Helps to keep things functioning properly.
As far as the rest of the fuel system... I use Redline or Amsoil every 5-10k depending on the OCI of the particular engine.
As far as the rest of the fuel system... I use Redline or Amsoil every 5-10k depending on the OCI of the particular engine.
MMO
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