Do fuel injector cleaners really work? I've never thought much about them, but after running a can through my wifes Windstar I'm beginning to wonder.

The check engine light on the Windstar came on and after checking the codes and doing some research on another internet site for Windstars, it was suggested I re-seat all vacuum hoses and run a can of fuel injector cleaner with a full tank of gas. I re-seated all the hoses, reset the computer, and filled it up along with a bottle of Gumout Fuel Injector cleaner. After a couple of drives the check engine light came back on, but now it's down to a quarter of a tank and the light has gone off. Do you think the Gumout fixed the problem?

The problem was Intake Manifold Runner Control stuck open (P1537,P1538). Apparently, the 3.8L have a secondary valve in the air intake that closes off one of two air ports to the cylinders at low rpms. Supposedly this helps fuel economy and emissions.

I'm wondering if I should start running a bottle through my Expy every now and then.

Philip

99, 5.4L, tow package

 

I doubt the cleaner had anything to do with the light going out in your windstar....Most of the time I end up replace the runner control acuators...I run a product made by BG products called 44k decarbonizer through all of my vehicles at 10k mile intervals...Check some of your local repair shops, someone may sell you a can.

 

An old time great mechanic told me to put a bottle of Chevron Techron cleaner in the tank at every oil change. Never had a fuel related problem in any of the cars I owned since.

BigMan69

 

I had the check engine light on my 96 Ranger. I went to Autozone to have the OBD code read. It was a misfire in cylinder 5. The Autozone guy said usually it is just dirty injectors. I ran a tank with the fuel injector cleaner and the light never came back.

Similar thing happened to a friend of mine. Same story. Different car.

 

I heard/read that Techron is as good as any.

 

I use Lucas Fuel treatments (Advance Auto or Pep Boys) in 96 Ford Taurus and 99 Expy with every Oil change (Mobil 1 Synthetic)! I used to have issues with my Taurus until I started adding these treatments with every Oil change. I notice the difference in both vehicles within the first 5 to 10 miles of driving.

Also, If you don't want to try Lucas try Techron! My grandfather swears by this and has used for years in all of his cars!

 

Buzzard,
I agree with you. Before I got my 98 EB 5.4L I had a 89 Full Size Bronco with the 302 which I bought new. The guys at Napa all said that the Best fuel treatment for fuel injectors was Chevron Techron. Well all I ever used was Chevron w/Techron on most of my fill up's and I put 235,000 miles on the same injectors and never had any fuel related problems. I'm doing the same with my 98 Expedition also.

hope this helps

P.S.
I always got about 15 to 20 miles more per tank full with Techron and thats 14 yrs and 235,000 miles of using it and other fuels on long trips when I couldn't find or make it to a Chevron gas station.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

I use a bottle of Techron at each oil change. Very good stuff. If your engine is really, really dirty Regane is great stuff also.

I've used Techron for years and have never had any fuel type problems with injectors, etc.

 

Hey guys,

I got a tip for ya. I'm new to the Expy scene but i've been into Turbo Buicks since '86'.
An excellent injector cleaner [which happens to have over 100 octane] is one of the two:
Xylene or Toulene. Yeah that's right-- paint thinner. BUT don't use any other type of paint thinner. Costs about $8/ gallon. Add one gallon to a tank as needed.
These two products are the main ingredients in most injector cleaners. For the cost of a tiny little bit you can have a whole gallon. CAREfull; they are carcogenic [cancer causing] handle with care.
I use these products on all my injected vehicless. Woooorks Greeaat.

Disclaimer: Use these products at your own discretion.

 

When my O2 sensors started going bad, the check engine light would come on and stay on for about 250 miles, then go off. After about 500 miles it would come on again for another 250.

Each time they went bad it was because I used a fuel system cleaner. I no longer think putting aftermarket chemicals in gas is a good idea unless the vehicle history is unknown or the previous owner was a cheapskate and bought bottom level gas. then, be prepared to pay for his mistakes.

 

bottom level gas? can anyone here say they honestly fill up with anymore than 87, when even that is $2.00/gallon, and that is what is recommended for our motors.... i dont even even know what super costs around me, i think like $2.39, that would cost $70 to fill!

 

Daaaayum, I thought $1.85 for 92/93 octane was bad around here. When possible I only use Sam's Club gas because it's (a) cheaper by $0.15 to $0.20 per gallon and (b) because they do such a huge volume, one always knows their gas is "fresh."

Back to the original topic. I used Seafoam a couple months ago and my truck runs and idles like a top.

 

BG Products 44K Injector Cleaner. Hands down the best cleaner on the market! NO after effects other than clean injectors and fuel system.

 

I have noticed the same thing with my F-150 and my wifes Expy. The question I have is that if I always use Chevron gas should I also use Techron additive every oil change?