View Poll Results: Fuel injector cleaner, does it work?
Yes
26
72.22%
No
8
22.22%
No, and it may cause damage.
2
5.56%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
Does fuel injector cleaner really work?
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does fuel injector cleaner really work?
I'm having some problems running lean on bank one. Should i use some fuel injector cleaner just for the heck of it?
EDIT: I guess i can't edit the poll. If you think i should just use seafoam instead of "injector cleaner" just post.
EDIT: I guess i can't edit the poll. If you think i should just use seafoam instead of "injector cleaner" just post.
Last edited by elwood2; 01-22-2011 at 02:34 AM.
#2
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,366
Likes: 0
Received 1,795 Likes
on
1,279 Posts
I voted "yes", because I've had great results with Red Line SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner. Specifically, I've managed to eliminate extended cranking times on cold starts and improve idle quality using this product, on more than one car.
As for whether or not it will fix your specific issue, that's impossibile to say, since several things can cause a lean condition. But it can't hurt to try.
As for whether or not it will fix your specific issue, that's impossibile to say, since several things can cause a lean condition. But it can't hurt to try.
#3
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
Yes Chevron Techron is supposed to be the same thing GM sells. There are two kinds but the new kind will help remove sulphur deposits from the fuel sending unit and keep it from sticking which is sometimes a problem on GM cars. I run a big bottle through mine at every oil change....
#6
On The Tree
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Coast
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I use Seafoam as well.
Using something like Seafoam at every oil change wouldn't yield much of a difference on your vehicle. However, using it on a used car you just bought with XXX,XXX miles, you will notice quite a bit. Seafoam will dry out seals is used often enough.
These "cleaners" are hit and miss. You occasionally will see something that says "Restores lost compression" or "Repairs blown rings"... It's all advertising propaganda. Specifically that stuff you see in cans called Engine Restorer or something like that. There is NO miracle product.
Using something like Seafoam at every oil change wouldn't yield much of a difference on your vehicle. However, using it on a used car you just bought with XXX,XXX miles, you will notice quite a bit. Seafoam will dry out seals is used often enough.
These "cleaners" are hit and miss. You occasionally will see something that says "Restores lost compression" or "Repairs blown rings"... It's all advertising propaganda. Specifically that stuff you see in cans called Engine Restorer or something like that. There is NO miracle product.
#7
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,366
Likes: 0
Received 1,795 Likes
on
1,279 Posts
Red Line SI-1 is designed for continual use in small doses. I've been putting a small amount at every fill-up (1/5 ounce per gallon) in my '98 Z28 for 7 years without a single problem. And I use a full bottle of the product with every oil change in my various daily drivers for several years/10s of thousands of miles as well. If it was going to cause a problem I would know about it, but it hasn't.
Trending Topics
#8
Specifically that stuff you see in cans called Engine Restorer
#10
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
I use Seafoam as well.
Using something like Seafoam at every oil change wouldn't yield much of a difference on your vehicle. However, using it on a used car you just bought with XXX,XXX miles, you will notice quite a bit. Seafoam will dry out seals is used often enough.
These "cleaners" are hit and miss. You occasionally will see something that says "Restores lost compression" or "Repairs blown rings"... It's all advertising propaganda. Specifically that stuff you see in cans called Engine Restorer or something like that. There is NO miracle product.
Using something like Seafoam at every oil change wouldn't yield much of a difference on your vehicle. However, using it on a used car you just bought with XXX,XXX miles, you will notice quite a bit. Seafoam will dry out seals is used often enough.
These "cleaners" are hit and miss. You occasionally will see something that says "Restores lost compression" or "Repairs blown rings"... It's all advertising propaganda. Specifically that stuff you see in cans called Engine Restorer or something like that. There is NO miracle product.
#12
I used to have a mazda B4000 with the 4 liter V6.
It would start running like crap in x,xxx miles. I'd put in some STP concentrated FI cleaner in the black bottle with a full tank of gas, it would feel like the truck had a full tune up by 1/2 tank.
I've never been able to duplicate the results with the same product in any other vehicle.
Thats my experience.
It would start running like crap in x,xxx miles. I'd put in some STP concentrated FI cleaner in the black bottle with a full tank of gas, it would feel like the truck had a full tune up by 1/2 tank.
I've never been able to duplicate the results with the same product in any other vehicle.
Thats my experience.
#14
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Id depends on the problem. Varnish / gum, OK. Sediment, like fine fuel
line rust, no. This latter I have had bother two vehicles, it accumulates
at the end-of-rail positions.
Now there's actual-lean, and there's indicated-lean. So be sure what
you're chasing.
line rust, no. This latter I have had bother two vehicles, it accumulates
at the end-of-rail positions.
Now there's actual-lean, and there's indicated-lean. So be sure what
you're chasing.
#15
Originally Posted by ULTIMATEORANGESS
doesnt todays fuel have cleaning additives already?
Some of them do but not all.
doesnt todays fuel have cleaning additives already?
Some of them do but not all.
#16
On The Tree
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Coast
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're confusing fuel injector cleaner with an engine additive, which are totally different products. Fuel injector cleaner does work to clean the fuel system, if used on a regular basis like every oil change, but it goes in the gas tank not in the motor. Most of the motor additives don't do what they claim, as you said there's nothing that can repair a mechanical problem. The only thing you should put in the motor is oil.
I'm just forewarning users that some of the stuff they may pick up off the shelves won't do as it claims while others will.
For example, you have two cleaners. One is in a plain white bottle, costs 2.99, and simply says "Helps to fix rough idle, misfiring, and poor fuel economy." The second product is in a purple and black bottle with fancy lettering and costs 7.99. They claim the same as the number one product however makes some outlandish claim about it being just as good as new injectors or something.
You'll most likely go for the number 2 product. Will it do what it claims? Probably, without the last part being absolutely correct.
So, when in doubt, check out the MSDS. They could be the exact same product, or it could contain a possibly dangerous component that'll screw something up.
#17
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
A little info about fuel additives .... Click on retailers to see who is selling Top Tier fuel....
Edit: Here>>>>> http://www.toptiergas.com/
Edit: Here>>>>> http://www.toptiergas.com/
Last edited by SOMbitch; 01-24-2011 at 09:45 AM.
#19
just my .02 on this subject, i would stay away from putting anything, especially seafoam into ur engine/oil, if somethings wrong internally it will just hide it and probably for only a little, seafoam breaks oil/carbon/engine ick down, ya u can change ur oil right away but u never ever get every drop of oil out so even with ur new oil in theres still oil with seafoam in ur engine (in bearings, little on the sides on it, etc) breakin it down : \ now im not bashing seafoam fully, adding it to ur gas or using it to clean ur engine up via heads/cylinders or intake, were gas goes, its great, used it to clean my top end on my 2000 silverado did great, used in on my dirt bikes and in the gas tank of my trucks, also like the lucas fuel injector condtioner/cleaner, had an 87 k5 350 TBI ran ok ish, put 1/3 of a bottle of that with 93 octane in it (usually run 93 in it also) at E and filled up, after that tank (some what half way through it) it ran a lot better/smoother and better throttle response, i like the lucas stuff imo but havnt tryed others so cant say really, imagine they all have the same basic stuff but
#20
I'm not confusing F.I Cleaner with an Engine Additive. I'm simply comparing the two for the sole reason that there are many companies out there, and the majority of them will over advertise their products making outlandish claims.
I'm just forewarning users that some of the stuff they may pick up off the shelves won't do as it claims while others will.
For example, you have two cleaners. One is in a plain white bottle, costs 2.99, and simply says "Helps to fix rough idle, misfiring, and poor fuel economy." The second product is in a purple and black bottle with fancy lettering and costs 7.99. They claim the same as the number one product however makes some outlandish claim about it being just as good as new injectors or something.
You'll most likely go for the number 2 product. Will it do what it claims? Probably, without the last part being absolutely correct.
So, when in doubt, check out the MSDS. They could be the exact same product, or it could contain a possibly dangerous component that'll screw something up.
I'm just forewarning users that some of the stuff they may pick up off the shelves won't do as it claims while others will.
For example, you have two cleaners. One is in a plain white bottle, costs 2.99, and simply says "Helps to fix rough idle, misfiring, and poor fuel economy." The second product is in a purple and black bottle with fancy lettering and costs 7.99. They claim the same as the number one product however makes some outlandish claim about it being just as good as new injectors or something.
You'll most likely go for the number 2 product. Will it do what it claims? Probably, without the last part being absolutely correct.
So, when in doubt, check out the MSDS. They could be the exact same product, or it could contain a possibly dangerous component that'll screw something up.
So obviously I believe in engine cleaner but not so much in fuel injector cleaners. Till last week. Frustrated by misfiring of a 2002 Jetta (not at start but only when it's at operating temperature and running lean) I was at the gas station and just took a random bottle of fuel line cleaner and poured it in with the gas. Few kilometers later and misfiring never happened again. Still over 1/2 tank full I am now wondering what helped the most.
1. Full tank makes for better fuel line pressure because the pump or the filter have performance issues.
2. Possible water accumulation in the tank caused by low fuel level for long time and car not driven very much just sitting in the sun and because it's black it heats up during the day and cooling during the night sucking humid air repeatedly. New fuel with ethanol dissolved the water and solved the problem.
3. Fuel cleaner cleaned injectors.
Somebody earlier mentioned potential problem that using the fuel cleaner will cause one not realize what the real problem is.
So I have my doubts and would like to here if someone experienced same.
I know it's an old thread.