Question: fuel injector cleaner

[stratinik]

1991 L98, 21,000 miles,six speed manual. is it safe to use fuel injector cleaner in the gas for these autos, i have read that it may damage the fuel injectors?

 

[surfer93]

Do not use any that have ethanol in them, older FI cars are not made to stand up to it. Ethenol breaksdown o-rings and wears out the FI's internals faster.
Look on the internet, there was a guy who did a article about GM Multitec injectors and what ethanol does to them.

Other than that, I have used them for years w/no side effects.

 

[gmjunkie]

1991 L98, 21,000 miles,six speed manual. is it safe to use fuel injector cleaner in the gas for these autos, i have read that it may damage the fuel injectors?

It's best to use Chevron Techron Plus!! You'll have No Problems!!

Our Fuels: Fuel Additives: Techron Concentrate Plus

 

[Tulsa Corvette Guy]

I have been told that BK44, Is the best to use, 1987 C-4, What do you think??

 

[aklim]

I wouldn't bother. They are designed to separate a rube from his money.

Here is a good analogy. I shut you in a gym and turn out all the lights. Here is a broom. Go clean it. How clean do you think you can get it? How can you be sure what you have swept and what you haven't?

IMO, if you think your injectors are dirty, take them out and have them cleaned and tested. That way you will know they are working. Say you do them every 30K, you should be fine. Have them professionally done by FIC or Southbay and they will test them and if they are dirty, clean them and get them flowing at the prescribed rate.

 

[93Rubie]

It's best to use Chevron Techron Plus!! You'll have No Problems!!

Our Fuels: Fuel Additives: Techron Concentrate Plus

LISTEN TO JUNKIE, and I'll back him up on this GM RECOMMENDED this stuff for use in GM vehicles. Ford for a time also recommended this stuff, I personally use the Chevron, but b/c we sell it at my dealership and I have seen how good BG k44 is I am going to try it. I have not doubts about the quality of BG products, I have witnessed the excellent results first hand.

 

[Schrade]

What makes you think the injectors are dirty? What's goin' on?

 

[air1jpg]

Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions about the Lucas fuel injector cleaner?

 

[Tuna]

I have been told that BK44, Is the best to use, 1987 C-4, What do you think??

I believe this should be BG 44K. I use it annually in my cars to keep the system clean.

BG Company

 

[aklim]

Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions about the Lucas fuel injector cleaner?

Great for separating you from your money. How good a job it will do is unknown and how much you need is also unknown. How good your injectors are is also unknown. How consistent the flow is also unknown. What is known is your wallet will be lighter. All of which can be known by removing and testing them.

 

[aklim]

I believe this should be BG 44K. I use it annually in my cars to keep the system clean.

BG Company

I used diesel fuel to keep my injectors clean on my diesel car. Worked for 100K until the test discovered that one injector was dirty.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner, Chevron Techron and Lucas Fuel System Cleaner are all detergent-based, injector cleaners.

They are more effective than any of the less-expensive, solvent-based products on the market.

 

[aklim]

Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner, Chevron Techron and Lucas Fuel System Cleaner are all detergent-based, injector cleaners.

They are more effective than any of the less-expensive, solvent-based products on the market.

Has any double blind test proved that?

 

[sstearns2]

1991 L98, 21,000 miles,six speed manual. is it safe to use fuel injector cleaner in the gas for these autos, i have read that it may damage the fuel injectors?

Are the injectors original?

Scott

 

[tdr1919]

with 21k, you really have no mileage, sounds like this car doesnt get much use. I would put a tank of Mobil hi test and a dose of techtron. you may also want to buy a can of throttle body cleaner. Give a good liberal spraying. change the fuel filter if it hasnt been changed in a while. Mobil+ techtron get everything clean and dry any moisture. Some do not believe these products are helpful, but if you tear down a 20+ yr old topend you will be suprised of the buildup of crud, carbon and varnish, wipe a little techtron and see how it removes all that stuff. maybe you can go 100k without ever cleaning, but I sure feel better with it being cleaned up. JMHO

 

[aklim]

with 21k, you really have no mileage, sounds like this car doesnt get much use.

Some do not believe these products are helpful, but if you tear down a 20+ yr old topend you will be suprised of the buildup of crud, carbon and varnish, wipe a little techtron and see how it removes all that stuff. maybe you can go 100k without ever cleaning, but I sure feel better with it being cleaned up. JMHO

That could also mean that the fuel can sit in the injector body and varnish up the injector.

I havent seen any real proof other than anecdotal evidence like what you are saying. The only real test would be to have a bunch of clogged up injectors and have them run thru with that snake oil and see what they look like. What you have is like me saying I have never had an accident in my Ford, GM or Chrysler but have had accidents in the other cars. Therefore, the Ford, GM or Chrysler we are talking about is an accident free car.

 

[tdr1919]

That could also mean that the fuel can sit in the injector body and varnish up the injector.

I havent seen any real proof other than anecdotal evidence like what you are saying. The only real test would be to have a bunch of clogged up injectors and have them run thru with that snake oil and see what they look like. What you have is like me saying I have never had an accident in my Ford, GM or Chrysler but have had accidents in the other cars. Therefore, the Ford, GM or Chrysler we are talking about is an accident free car.

Maybe one day when you have your car apart and you have the opportunity to try a hands on test, maybe you will see how it works.
If you do not believe in the product, thats up to you. Maybe your injector would have lasted longer in your diesel if you had used a fuel additive!
-Tom

 

[db2]

I use BG44K in all my cars every 6mos.Does a good job where others don't,IMO.

\db2
Carolina

 

[aklim]

Maybe one day when you have your car apart and you have the opportunity to try a hands on test, maybe you will see how it works.
If you do not believe in the product, thats up to you. Maybe your injector would have lasted longer in your diesel if you had used a fuel additive!
-Tom

Maybe, just maybe, if those peddlers of snake oil will do a proper test instead of using inference and supposition, we might have a better idea. After all, if they are peddling it, why don't they do something in a controlled lab with proper certification to prove it? If I were selling something that I know was good, I'd be all over the labs to prove it.

I do not believe in any unproven product.

Maybe but we will never know since I dumped the nozzles at 200K for a more performance oriented set. At 100K having 1 dirty injector tells me very little other than that it got dirty when the other 5 didn't. A little cleaning and it was right as rain. So honestly, I think they would have gone to 300K, give or take. It seemed fine at 200K WITH NO ADDITIVES used. What I have seen on another site tells me that the difference in lubricity levels MIGHT lead to a loss of 10-15% max lifespan. For all the cost and bother of the lubricity additives, I think 10% is something I can live with. Testing the injectors at 100K told me that I can go for another 100K WITHOUT snake oils and have the injectors pretty clean. Seems that turned out ok when I had them tested just for the hell of it before I changed over to the new nozzles.