Fuel Injection Cleaning

red rocket · 03-17-2003, 05:38 AM

Saturday I got my GA serviced - new front brakes, tire rotation and oil change. Well, the mechanic called to say that at 60K miles I should have the fuel injectors cleaned. Unfortunately I wasn't home and my wife told them to go ahead and do the work.

Has anyone else got their injectors cleaned? Can't that be done by using an additive to the fuel? How do they clean the injectors? They can't possibly take the engine apart to actually work on the injectors, can they?

Greed4Speed · 03-17-2003, 08:41 AM

Sounds like a shaft to me. Mine has over 100k miles and I've never had the injectors mechanically cleaned, but I also use injector cleaner on a regular basis.

koolZ71 · 03-17-2003, 08:48 AM

its not a shaft.....cleaner can only do so much.... they physycally take things apart and clean them very very good...its worth doing

red rocket · 03-17-2003, 09:52 AM

Hmmm....two opposing opinions. Any one else care to comment?

Slim · 03-17-2003, 10:02 AM

Depends on how they're doing it. If it's the cleaner-in-a-can type of cleaning, skip it. If it's the kind of cleaning where they remove all the injectors and sonically clean them, then do it.

iceman · 03-17-2003, 10:30 AM

Yes, worth doing. So far I've had 1 clogged injector, and then it had to be replaced. Definitely restores performance back to what it was.

Don't use the crap fuel injector cleaner additive you get from the auto parts store, it's junk. I used to use it after every oil change (the STP cleaner), now no chance in hell it's ever going back in my tank, all it does is clog up the injectors.

The good stuff your mechanic is talking about, they hook the bottle up directly to the fuel rail and run the car off of it. I had that done twice.. Cleans em out good!!

jason · 03-17-2003, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greed4Speed
Sounds like a shaft to me. Mine has over 100k miles and I've never had the injectors mechanically cleaned, but I also use injector cleaner on a regular basis.

You have over 100k on a 2001 GT? Wow!

nd4spd · 03-17-2003, 12:44 PM

Well I have 90,000 on mine does that count? I was told somewhere that you should keep your tank always above the half mark because of our crappy injectors, he might have been pulling my chain though.

red rocket · 03-17-2003, 03:19 PM

I've been emptying my tank for 60K miles now with no problems. well, at least I usually go below 1/4 tank before filling up.

Greed4Speed · 03-17-2003, 03:45 PM

DO NOT go below 1/4 tank. I used to do this and am on my 3rd fuel pump because of it. The pumps use the fuel around them to keep cool, go below and they get hot and crap out on you in the middle of summer in the middle of nowhere.

I'll have the chek out this injector cleaning concept further.

Ya, I have around 103500 miles on the car. It comes from a commute of 78 miles (one way).

red rocket · 03-18-2003, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greed4Speed
Ya, I have around 103500 miles on the car. It comes from a commute of 78 miles (one way).

If you commute 160 miles a day, and never go below 1/4 tank, you must have to fill up your GT once a day or at best once every other day. That must really suck.

Panacea · 03-18-2003, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iceman
Yes, worth doing. So far I've had 1 clogged injector, and then it had to be replaced. Definitely restores performance back to what it was.

Don't use the crap fuel injector cleaner additive you get from the auto parts store, it's junk. I used to use it after every oil change (the STP cleaner), now no chance in hell it's ever going back in my tank, all it does is clog up the injectors.

wtf, exactly how do you know the fuel injector cleaner clogged up your fuel injector? Do you have hard evidence? I've been using STP in my car since day one and haven't had a problem yet, and my dad used it in his truck for 10 years, no problems...

Sounds like an issue of bad gas if anything. A cleaner is a cleaner! That's like saying that Using Liquid Draino caused your sink to clogg up wtf?!?!?!

Avsguy01 · 03-18-2003, 08:00 AM

Be sure to buy yourself a can of fuel injector cleaner after every oil change and fill it when you tank is low then re-fuel, and you should be good with no problems for a long time with your fuel injectors

iceman · 03-18-2003, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Panacea
wtf, exactly how do you know the fuel injector cleaner clogged up your fuel injector? Do you have hard evidence? I've been using STP in my car since day one and haven't had a problem yet, and my dad used it in his truck for 10 years, no problems...

Sounds like an issue of bad gas if anything. A cleaner is a cleaner! That's like saying that Using Liquid Draino caused your sink to clogg up wtf?!?!?!

I always use teh same gas.. since I stopped using that crap I haven't had any injector problems again. F it, waste of 6 bucks IMO. I'll run the stuff through the fuel rail every 6 months instead.

Greed4Speed · 03-18-2003, 08:42 AM

The GA got filled up every other day for the commute. We're closer now, so it isn't a prob...we just have a highmilage car that we owe more than resale would be. Such is life...

I use the Chevron stuff and have had no probs. I don't even do it at every oil change more like every 6 months. I think plugged injectors is mainly a case of poor fuel and filtration and low RPM's. Highway milage seems to keep an engine clean compared to in town miles.

I saw in another thread where you can buy the bottle sutff at a parts store and do the rail cleaning yourself. (about $30 for the kit then you can get refill bottles) It gave instructions and seemed simple enough. I may try that to see if it makes any diff. Then again I haven't had any power loss.

red rocket · 03-19-2003, 10:25 AM

Two thoughts:

Isn't today's gas supposed to be loaded with detergents that help keep fuel injectors clean? Or is it just certain brands like Mobil?

If higher RPMs helps keep the injectors clean, then wouldn't in-town driving be better than highway miles? On the interstate I barely break 2000 RPM, where is town driving I'm always shifting up in the 3-4000 RPM range.

bighead113 · 03-19-2003, 11:38 AM

Here's two questions....

I am getting bad gas mileage, and I do let it go beyone a 1/4 tank all the time, which Im def going to stop now...

But anyways, do you think it might be the fuel filter, fuel pump, or a fuel injector cleaning problem??

Ohh and I have 33K miles...

And how much about would each of these three jobs cost??

03-19-2003, 12:10 PM

I also have had the off the shelf fuel injector cleaner blow one of my injectors. Never again. What I do now that works is to go out on the highway, get up to 100 km/h, then go wide open throttle to 140 km/h. Do that a few times and you're good. This is because the gas comes out of the injectors at super high volume and pressure under those conditions and cleans them right out. Bagging your car every once and a while is good for it. Stops build up.

Greed4Speed · 03-19-2003, 01:54 PM

Around town driving has a lot of sitting still and slow moving also. Highway is usually a constant RPM. Average is out and it equals to a higher RPM. I've seen over 3 gran on the highway a few times...(insert evil laugh here).

If you do city driving you should change your oil more often also.

As for loss of milage, I'd try fuel and air filter first. Also do a tune up. Which is just new plugs and wires. Don't worry about fancy designer plugs.

I have yet to get an injector clogged or damaged from injector cleaner. I usually use Chevron or Valvoline, but I'm going to try some Lucas oil stuff this time.

People, if you have proof that the cleaner has cause injector probs I'd advise you to contact the company and get them to fork over some $ for the repair.

Panacea · 03-19-2003, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by iceman
I always use teh same gas.. since I stopped using that crap I haven't had any injector problems again. F it, waste of 6 bucks IMO. I'll run the stuff through the fuel rail every 6 months instead.

Well, companies do buy their gas from other places. I'm pretty sure they don't get the same gas from the same company year round. A lot of additives are added in the winter time and I'm sure some gas varies.

Now, $6 a bottle? You're getting ripped. You sure you're getting the STP Fuel Injector Cleaner in the black bottle that says "Super Concentrate" or something like that? I only pay $1.50 a bottle for the stuff I use (STP Fuel Injector Cleaner, black Bottle)... HOpe you weren't using the one for carburated engines.

03-17-2003, 05:38 AM	#1
red rocket GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westampton, NJ Posts: 423 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT sedan	Fuel Injection Cleaning Saturday I got my GA serviced - new front brakes, tire rotation and oil change. Well, the mechanic called to say that at 60K miles I should have the fuel injectors cleaned. Unfortunately I wasn't home and my wife told them to go ahead and do the work. Has anyone else got their injectors cleaned? Can't that be done by using an additive to the fuel? How do they clean the injectors? They can't possibly take the engine apart to actually work on the injectors, can they?

03-17-2003, 08:41 AM	#2
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	Sounds like a shaft to me. Mine has over 100k miles and I've never had the injectors mechanically cleaned, but I also use injector cleaner on a regular basis. __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

03-17-2003, 08:48 AM	#3
koolZ71 walkin' tall AKA: nathan Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: laura, Ohio Age: 41 Posts: 1,522 Vehicle: 04 colorado<>93 SHO	its not a shaft.....cleaner can only do so much.... they physycally take things apart and clean them very very good...its worth doing __________________ JACOB HECK 7-03-82---07-29-01 I will miss u baby brother formaly koolgt

03-17-2003, 10:02 AM	#5
Slim Captain Canuck AKA: Matt Join Date: Mar 1977 Location: Burlington, Ontario Age: 44 Posts: 3,593 Vehicle: 08 Acadia, 13 Mazda 6	Depends on how they're doing it. If it's the cleaner-in-a-can type of cleaning, skip it. If it's the kind of cleaning where they remove all the injectors and sonically clean them, then do it. __________________ Canadian to the core!

03-17-2003, 10:30 AM	#6
iceman woop woop AKA: Seth Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Age: 41 Posts: 10,528 Vehicle: 97 Blazer - 84 Fiero	Yes, worth doing. So far I've had 1 clogged injector, and then it had to be replaced. Definitely restores performance back to what it was. Don't use the crap fuel injector cleaner additive you get from the auto parts store, it's junk. I used to use it after every oil change (the STP cleaner), now no chance in hell it's ever going back in my tank, all it does is clog up the injectors. The good stuff your mechanic is talking about, they hook the bottle up directly to the fuel rail and run the car off of it. I had that done twice.. Cleans em out good!! __________________ --Seth Support GrandAmGT.com sponsors! My Picture Gallery \| GoneDragRacing.com Drag Racing Photos & Videos

03-17-2003, 09:52 AM	#4
red rocket GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westampton, NJ Posts: 423 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT sedan	Hmmm....two opposing opinions. Any one else care to comment?

03-17-2003, 12:44 PM	#8
nd4spd GAGT - Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Harrison, Michigan Age: 41 Posts: 161 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT Coupe	Well I have 90,000 on mine does that count? I was told somewhere that you should keep your tank always above the half mark because of our crappy injectors, he might have been pulling my chain though. __________________ Behold the pale horse, and who sat upon him was death, and hell followed with him.

03-17-2003, 03:19 PM	#9
red rocket GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westampton, NJ Posts: 423 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT sedan	I've been emptying my tank for 60K miles now with no problems. well, at least I usually go below 1/4 tank before filling up.

03-17-2003, 03:45 PM	#10
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	DO NOT go below 1/4 tank. I used to do this and am on my 3rd fuel pump because of it. The pumps use the fuel around them to keep cool, go below and they get hot and crap out on you in the middle of summer in the middle of nowhere. I'll have the chek out this injector cleaning concept further. Ya, I have around 103500 miles on the car. It comes from a commute of 78 miles (one way). __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

03-18-2003, 08:00 AM	#13
Avsguy01 Roll'n down the road Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Clayton, De Age: 39 Posts: 717 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am GT Coup	Be sure to buy yourself a can of fuel injector cleaner after every oil change and fill it when you tank is low then re-fuel, and you should be good with no problems for a long time with your fuel injectors

03-18-2003, 08:42 AM	#15
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	The GA got filled up every other day for the commute. We're closer now, so it isn't a prob...we just have a highmilage car that we owe more than resale would be. Such is life... I use the Chevron stuff and have had no probs. I don't even do it at every oil change more like every 6 months. I think plugged injectors is mainly a case of poor fuel and filtration and low RPM's. Highway milage seems to keep an engine clean compared to in town miles. I saw in another thread where you can buy the bottle sutff at a parts store and do the rail cleaning yourself. (about $30 for the kit then you can get refill bottles) It gave instructions and seemed simple enough. I may try that to see if it makes any diff. Then again I haven't had any power loss. __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

03-19-2003, 10:25 AM	#16
red rocket GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westampton, NJ Posts: 423 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT sedan	Two thoughts: Isn't today's gas supposed to be loaded with detergents that help keep fuel injectors clean? Or is it just certain brands like Mobil? If higher RPMs helps keep the injectors clean, then wouldn't in-town driving be better than highway miles? On the interstate I barely break 2000 RPM, where is town driving I'm always shifting up in the 3-4000 RPM range.

03-19-2003, 11:38 AM	#17
bighead113 Thanks everyone!!!!! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Syracuse, NY Age: 40 Posts: 99 Vehicle: 2000 Jeep Grand Cher.	Here's two questions.... I am getting bad gas mileage, and I do let it go beyone a 1/4 tank all the time, which Im def going to stop now... But anyways, do you think it might be the fuel filter, fuel pump, or a fuel injector cleaning problem?? Ohh and I have 33K miles... And how much about would each of these three jobs cost??

03-19-2003, 12:10 PM	#18
Filter Guest Posts: n/a	I also have had the off the shelf fuel injector cleaner blow one of my injectors. Never again. What I do now that works is to go out on the highway, get up to 100 km/h, then go wide open throttle to 140 km/h. Do that a few times and you're good. This is because the gas comes out of the injectors at super high volume and pressure under those conditions and cleans them right out. Bagging your car every once and a while is good for it. Stops build up.

03-19-2003, 01:54 PM	#19
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	Around town driving has a lot of sitting still and slow moving also. Highway is usually a constant RPM. Average is out and it equals to a higher RPM. I've seen over 3 gran on the highway a few times...(insert evil laugh here). If you do city driving you should change your oil more often also. As for loss of milage, I'd try fuel and air filter first. Also do a tune up. Which is just new plugs and wires. Don't worry about fancy designer plugs. I have yet to get an injector clogged or damaged from injector cleaner. I usually use Chevron or Valvoline, but I'm going to try some Lucas oil stuff this time. People, if you have proof that the cleaner has cause injector probs I'd advise you to contact the company and get them to fork over some $ for the repair. __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

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