dirty injectors....

[doug hodder]

What's everyone's thoughts on the injector cleaners you can buy from Auto Zone and elsewhere? Is there any one that may be better than the other or are they all pretty much the same? Also...how many doctored tanks does one need to do to get some results. 4L V6 Ranger 15gal. tank...110K. Thanks. Doug

[halfdome, Danny]

Doug, at the first sign of problems I use this. I've been using it since the mid 70's. I usually do a tank a year for good measure. Danny

[emiller]

Doug I recommend Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner available at most Chevron or auto parts stores. Works great. Cost about $10.00 - $12.00

[Arne]

Click and Clack, the tappet brothers, recommend Chevron Techron..

google chevron techron review and you will see that most like it a lot.

http://www.amazon.com/Chevron-Techron-Fuel-System-Cleaner/product-reviews/B00092893E

[Creamcracker]

I also use Chevron Techron....its worked for me..
Philip

[chorizon]

I don't think they work that well.

I had an elusive ping on my old Chevy 1500. Under a slight load the engine would ping. After doing a tune-up with no results I used the injector cleaner several times over the course of a few years. It seemed to help but never stop the pinging problem.

When I went to sell the truck I took it to the dealer to fix a few of the problems it had, and mentioned the pinging problem. The truck came back running better than ever. I asked the service writer what they did. He said the throttle body injectors were dirty and the tech cleaned them with a wire brush; problem solved.

That being said I usually gas up with chevron with techron. I wouldn't doubt that it would help keep a fuel system clean, but I don't know about correcting a problem like I had...

[emiller]

I professionally clean injectors with a professional tool kit. I usually recommend the techron additive first before I charge $50.00 to clean them. One over looked procedure is taking throttle body cleaner and wipe the back plate of the throttle body. A dirty plate will cause irractic idle and poor fuel economy. Don't spray directly on the plate just spray the rag and wipe clean.

[rainjer]

I like Lucas Fuel Treatment. It seem to work the best in my Jeep Liberty.

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/displa ... 0Treatment

Jeremy

[asianflava]

My Ranger had 213K on it when I traded it in (more like gave it away). I never really had any injector problems. I'd run a bottle of Techron thru every so often.

[halfdome, Danny]

Click and Clack, the tappet brothers, recommend Chevron Techron..

google chevron techron review and you will see that most like it a lot.

http://www.amazon.com/Chevron-Techron-Fuel-System-Cleaner/product-reviews/B00092893E

Thanks Arne for those reviews.
My 350 CDI race engine has a ping sometimes when I lay on it. I'll give it a try.
Danny

[mk10108]

I professionally clean injectors with a professional tool kit. I usually recommend the techron additive first before I charge $50.00 to clean them. One over looked procedure is taking throttle body cleaner and wipe the back plate of the throttle body. A dirty plate will cause erratic idle and poor fuel economy. Don't spray directly on the plate just spray the rag and wipe clean.

Absolutely

My 4Runner had slight rpm drift, the neighbor (ford mechanic) removed the intake tube to the throttle body and cleaned a black ring of gunk between the valve and tube wall.

What happens is the gunk layer prevents the throttle position sensor from closing resulting in a signal drift back to the engine management computer.

[caseydog]

I don't think they work that well.

I had an elusive ping on my old Chevy 1500. Under a slight load the engine would ping. After doing a tune-up with no results I used the injector cleaner several times over the course of a few years. It seemed to help but never stop the pinging problem.

When I went to sell the truck I took it to the dealer to fix a few of the problems it had, and mentioned the pinging problem. The truck came back running better than ever. I asked the service writer what they did. He said the throttle body injectors were dirty and the tech cleaned them with a wire brush; problem solved.

That being said I usually gas up with chevron with techron. I wouldn't doubt that it would help keep a fuel system clean, but I don't know about correcting a problem like I had...

Both of my C1500's with TB injected 350s had a ping under light load. The dealers kept telling me it was okay. I never got it to stop, even with premium gas.

[PapaGene]

I personally use AMSOIL products. They have an injector cleaner that also cleans carbon from backside of intake valves and from combustion chamber. Also reduces emissions and improves mileage. Use one bottle $10.40 in a tank of gasoline, recommended every 4,000 miles. Noticed mileage was down on my MINI Cooper S (onboard computer) after running one treated tank of gasoline, mileage increased by 3MPG.

I was so impressed with the company and their products that I became a dealer some 7years ago.

Gene

[doug hodder]

Thanks all for your replies. I'll dump a bottle in on the next tank of fuel. Just trying to clean up a rough idle at start up. I've done the plugs on it. It runs out OK, but seems to have a rough patch at low R's. Doug

[teardrop_focus]

seems to have a rough patch at low R's.

Have a looksee atcher idle air control...




Of course, running a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner at every oil change won't hurt, but by the time that injectors might need a serious cleaning, fuel system cleaner is a bit too benign at that point to do much good. Check again w/ emiller regarding your engine's idle air motor; he seems to know what he's doing when it comes to maintaining modern, computer-controlled motorvation.