Fuel Injection Cleaning Liquid

[Kocho]

Went to target the other day, saw two basic things:

1)Fuel Injectors Cleaner ($1.99 all brands)
You can put it in with every tank and its supposed to keep carbon buildup off the injectors

2)Complete Fuel System Cleaner (varying between $5.99-$9.99)
Supposed to use every 3000 miles with the oil change, cleans the cams and intake valves and the injectors, etc.

Also saw these products in three different brands:
1) STP
2) Gumout
3) Chevron (this was the one that was $9.99)

I've only used the STP Fuel Injector Cleaner once at 60k (now I am at 68k), but didn't notice any improvement. Lately, my gas mileage has been decreasing. I used to get about 420 out of a tank, now I get about 350 in the same driving conditions and highway/city ratio. I want to get my fuel system running clean and smooth and get my mileage back up. Which should I buy, and how often should I use it. Also, the professional service at a dealer, how much does that cost, and should I get that done? Thanks

Try a different FI treatment - I've used Berryman B-12 Chemtool FI Treatment a couple of times (once every 20-30K miles, though it says on the label to use very 5-th tank...). How about the air filter? Fuel filter is supposed to be a "life time" item according to the Toyota dealership - they did not want to sell me one and told me they do not replace them anymore... I'll still replace mine when I'm doing the timing belt at 90K.

My mileage has been consistent over the past 78K miles...

[onefiend]

yeah our OEM fuel filters are suppose to be good till 100k miles. I remember Flipside still had his original OEM fuel filer at 75k miles. But I'll probabaly change mine when I hit 60k miles.


So do you guys think going with a $5 dollar bottle of STP fuel & carb cleaner is as good as the fuel injection service at JiffyLube. I dont wanna spend $100 on a bs service.

[Kocho]

yeah our OEM fuel filters are suppose to be good till 100k miles. I remember Flipside still had his original OEM fuel filer at 75k miles. But I'll probabaly change mine when I hit 60k miles.


So do you guys think going with a $5 dollar bottle of STP fuel & carb cleaner is as good as the fuel injection service at JiffyLube. I dont wanna spend $100 on a bs service.

I've done one of these services at a local garage (for only $30) - they disconnected the PCV valve tube to the intake and plugged-in a hose through which they poured some poisonous-smelling liquid, all while the engine was running. The exhaust smelled pretty bad during this procedure. So, this is supposed to clean your injectors & your intake path (or most of it anyway).

So, no the $5 cleaners won't be as good as the $100 job, but I think the $100 job is not worth $100. Plus, I'm not convinced that STP is a good product, based on what I read on the internet about some of their engine oil treatments (but I have no personal proof or experience etiherway).

[Mudd]

No, you want it direct into the intake. The PCV valve makes a good spot to spray. Or the throttle body. When the engine starts to stumble a bit, back off the spray.

I mean spray some cleaner into each of the 6 cyl. It will take about a can for a 4 cyl, can and a half for the 6cyl. You'd have to suck up all the gunk and crap that was on your piston. Carbon and such. I use a shop vac and a BIG straw duct taped to the vacuum attachment.

Don't forget to change those plugs when you're done.

Hey Mudd, can you clearify those points please?
Like into the intake? or on the filter?
and what do you mean by dumping a can into all 6 cyl?
and then what would we suck up the next day?

[Mudd]

The ONLY fuel treatment I'd POSSIBLY consider would be the Redline. The local Pep Boys here stocks them. But I'm telling you, they're a waste of money. It's like platinum spark plugs and swirly intake systems and anything Bose - all marketing, no substance.