What are your thoughts on fuel injector cleaning on a 09 4.6 3v with 32000. miles? Was at the dealer today getting oil changed and he recommended the cleaning, Kicker was, that they wanted $189.00 to do it

 

I'd ask him to describe the process, list the products they use, and show you where it's required by the Maintenance Guide/Schedule.

My bet is this is not a Ford maintenance procedure.

 

Don't do it. Every oil change pour a bottle of Chevron techron into your fuel tank; lots cheaper.

 

And don't forget to change your in-line fuel filter as recommended. The dealer flush will mostly flush dollars out of your wallet and into their cash register.

 

The fuel filter is not user replaceable.

 

I don' think you'll find anywhere in the maintenance guide where says to do FI cleaning or TB cleaning every XXX miles. My '99 Taurus has 114K miles on it, never cleaned the injectors or the throttle body and she's never dipped in MPG's or performance. But, the procedure has been suggested numerous times by the dealer and the tire shop.

 

Here is my thoughts. All those flush services the dealers offer is a way for them and the techs to make money plain and simple. Some of them have a real benefit while others are a waste of $$$. As a dealer tech if I relied on warranty work for my income I would be out on the street faster than you can say forclosure. Ford warranty labor times sucks. The injection service has a real benefit by keeping the throttle body clean and preventing idle problems and wrench lights down the road. Is it necessary at 30K? Prob not but I would get it done at 60k. They prob uses BG products and the 44K they put in the tank is good stuff. You may notice 1 or 2 mpgs better for a few tanks of fuel. Just my .02

 

yes the fuel filter isn't replaceable by the shadetree mechanic. it's in the fuel tank. i read sometime that people love the stuff called sea foam for injector cleaner. haven't tried it myself but soon will as the 30k barrier has been broken. i ignore what the dealer says since they are money grubbers. most of what they recommend i can do myself in my garage/driveway.

 

I have yet to receive my tech manual (on order) but I find it very surprising folks are stating the fuel filter is in the gas tank. Historically. all gas tanks come with a sludge filter. This is provided for keeping tree branches out of your fuel line but that's about it. I'm certain there must be a user accessible fuel filter in-line. If not, I guarantee I'll be installing one!
As for injector cleaning, I'd time it to the oil change (or every second one). I honestly don't think they get that dirty if using standard (87) or better yet mid-grade (89) fuel.
Also, in winter, I use iso-prop for gas anti-freeze. That stuff cleans like you wouldn't believe.

 

Use a bottle of Amsoil P. I.

 

But, but, that's because the fuel filter IS in the gas tank . . .

 

This is not a new thing, most Mopar products since the mid-90s have had unitized filter assembly you must drop the tank to service.

 

So evidently it's a given the fuel filter is inside the tank.
What an ingenious idea.
Anyone who wishes to replace their filter can now pay Ford huge bucks.

If you have changed fuel filters in the past, you know how dirty they become and why in fact they were accessible to the user.

If we're lucky, perhaps they can design an oil filter integral to the oil pan and we can depend on Ford to change that too!

I'm unhappy.

Well, I suspect the filtering agent is probably about 3000 micron so other than stopping beer bottle caps and stones it probably sucks. I think I'll be placing an in-line filter shortly.

 

The reason for the filter in the tank is not a Ford thing, it is basically mandated by the EPA because of the stringent Evaporative Emissions requirement. They consider any opening of the fuel lines a measurable emission and the standards have become so tight that they (auto mfg's) had to eliminate the inline filter. That is also the reason why filters have become smaller and smaller over the years and now we have hit the threshold of elimination. This is also the reason for the fuel pressure test port (schrader valve) on the fuel rail disappearing. It seems stupid, but that is the way the Govt works!

 

Thanks for the info.
Obviously I'm an illiterate when it comes to new truck specs, my new F150 is the first new truck I've purchased in many years (always kept my old beasts humming).
Anyway, It seems I have some catching up to do but it seems evident that not all "improvements" were beneficial.
Well, I'll still do what I can to learn what I can about my truck, hence the reason I've ordered the tech manual.
Don't want to high-jack the post, just sayin' ,,,,