Fuel Injection Cleaners?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Fuel Injection Cleaners?
I have a '98 5.4 V8 f-150 and I was wondering if it's worth the price of 70 dollars to get my fuel injectors cleaned out by a mechanic or Jiffy Lube. Is it really needed? or should I just buy the fuel injection cleaners at pep boys/autozone for like 5 bucks?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
My feeling is that if it's running well then it probably doesn't need the injectors flushed. It won't hurt but probably isn't necessary.
I think that a bottle of in tank injector cleaner every once in a while is a good idea.
I think that a bottle of in tank injector cleaner every once in a while is a good idea.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
so what exactly do they do at the quickie lube joints to flush the fuel injectors? I forget what I saw them use at the local dealer, but it didn't look like anything special. I have a mark vii that I am doing the motor on while the injectors are out is there a good way of cleaning them?
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
You disconnect the fuel shutoff and run the engine till it dies (usually a few seconds). Connect the injection cleaner to the schrader valve on one of the rails. Turn on the engine and run til it quits. It works well when needed, but its a real moneymaker for the garage - I think you can buy a kit for $80 or so and the refill cleaners for $30-$40 or so. I'm with Dave, though - an occasional cleaner in the tank can work OK.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 0
From: TX
For one, Jiffy Lube doesnt actually do fuel injection cleaner like the way you think. I work there, its not as great as it sounds but it does work. We use a 3-step gum-out. We pour fuel injection cleaner into the gas tank. Then we hook up a bottle of stuff thats like industrial strength sea-foam to either your PCV valve or brake booster and let that run through. While thats running through we spray a cleaner into the throttle body and it cleans that out and cleans out the intake. I think it costs 49.99, I just did it to my truck a few days ago and it does improve MPG and it runns a little smoother, but its not like what your thinking.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
Go get a bottle of techron and don't look back. Just put it in 2 of my vehicles both run alot smoother and the injector are little quieter, not enough to count though. Seafoam for the crankcase and through the pcv but it doesn't work as well in the fuel system. I got the Progard brand with techron a little cheaper and the regular chevron techron. The regaine? from I believe stp is supposed to work just as well but no personal experience here. Eric
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern Pa.
I'm all for the chevron with techron. Used regularly with proper fuel filter changes and no fuel related issues in over 300,000 miles (several vehicles).
An interesting read on the subject for any interested.
http://www.mightyautoparts.com/pdf/articles/tt65.pdf
An interesting read on the subject for any interested.
http://www.mightyautoparts.com/pdf/articles/tt65.pdf
Trending Topics
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
From: NE PA
I run seafoam (about half of the can) directly into the vac line that I pull off the brake booster while the truck is running. I pour a little at a time so the engine doesn't stall, then drive the truck down the road at full pedal. You will see a big cloud of smoke out of the exhaust for a few seconds.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
If you live in one of the Metropolitan areas where "reformulated gas" is mandated, then you will never need to worry about such flushing, or even need a bottle of Techron.
Reformulated gas has LOTS of injector cleaner added to it. The theory is that if the fuel systems are kept clean, the engines will run more efficiently, thus keeping the air cleaner. The downside is that a gallon of gas is not a full gallon of gas, it is part injector cleaner. Injector cleaner does not serve as fuel to take the truck down the road, so you are getting less than a gallon of gas when you are paying for a gallon of gas.
The upside to this fuel is that it keeps your fuel system clean without the need for added expense for such cleanings.
I don't know where all this stuff is mandated, but I know that it is in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin Counties in Texas.
If you're not in a reformulated gas area, a bottle of Techron in the tank will usually fix it up. As said by an earlier poster, the biggest advantage for such a flushing is for the shop to make money.
Good luck,
Doc
Reformulated gas has LOTS of injector cleaner added to it. The theory is that if the fuel systems are kept clean, the engines will run more efficiently, thus keeping the air cleaner. The downside is that a gallon of gas is not a full gallon of gas, it is part injector cleaner. Injector cleaner does not serve as fuel to take the truck down the road, so you are getting less than a gallon of gas when you are paying for a gallon of gas.
The upside to this fuel is that it keeps your fuel system clean without the need for added expense for such cleanings.
I don't know where all this stuff is mandated, but I know that it is in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin Counties in Texas.
If you're not in a reformulated gas area, a bottle of Techron in the tank will usually fix it up. As said by an earlier poster, the biggest advantage for such a flushing is for the shop to make money.
Good luck,
Doc
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I have had three F150s and a Ranger over the years. One bottle of STP down the tank once a month, preferably before a highway trip, and floor it a few times in the passing lane....never had one of them expensive fuel system enemas, and never needed it.
Save your money.
Save your money.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
paradiddle
Fuel Injection, Carburetion & Fuel System
4
Dec 26, 2003 04:01 PM