Fuel Injector Cleaner
 

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Does anyone actually use this stuff? My dad uses it whenever he feels like the car cranks for an inkling longer than usual. I've used it before in my older car, but never really noticed anything. Is this money down the drain? Or are there actual benefits? (I've heard some claiming this stuff can be hard on seals and whatnot).

Thoughts?

When ever I think about product like these, I tell myself: If it ain't broken, don't fix it

I have used that exact product, on this car, but not to clean the injectors. It helps with the crickets. Doesn't kill 'em completely...quiets them down a bit though.

I use them once in a while. Car doesn't suffer from any fuel issue, but I just use it anyways. It's only 5-6 bucks a bottle in every 5-6k miles.

For what it's worth in the owners manual it says not to use any fuel additives.

When I got my injectors bench flowed and balanced I asked the guy about the injector cleaners and he said that after 50-100k (depending on vehicle) it's a good idea to use an injector cleaner about once or twice a year but not more than that.

If said if you use them too much they can damage the seals and other various parts but they are effective. Nothing, however, is effective as removing them from the car and having them rebuilt and bench tested.

nothing like a good job security statement lol, "Nothing, however, is effective as removing them from the car and having them rebuilt and bench tested."

Lol, like a chiropractor of injector cleaning.. :lol:

I would show up at his shop with 25 injectors and have them all rebuilt, new filters, pins, gaskets and flow matching. Each one is compared, documented and the 4 best and most "equal" are used.

When you strip down an injector that's 100k old it's clear how some "cleaner" will help but not the extent of an out-of-the-car rebuild of the injector.

My Two Cents...
 

IMO, injector cleaning is one of the biggest scams going at dealerships today, right up there with VIN etching. There should be enough additives in any quality premium fuel we use. Doubt any injector cleaner would be needed in a new car for quite some time. And if needed down the line, Chevron's Techron would be my first choice.

Yeah I guess I was wondering if it was something I should do as part of regular vehicle maintenance. I suppose I've never owned a car taking premium fuel before though.

On any BRZ/FRS out there right now there should not be an issue with the injectors yet. As was posted above, any quality gas will have plenty of additives to keep the injectors clean and if you buy at a good station it will also be filtered well.

-Mike Paisan

AZP's First Private Track Event, June 19 at NJMP Thunderbolt $315 including Classroom and Mentor!
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This.

Where off-the-car injector cleaning is effective and "needed" is on old things and racing things. You can see the difference on the bench test, as clear at day. The before and after flow pattern, volume and equality between each one is significant.

I know my 100k mile Econoline Van would benefit as this is a vehicle that doesn't get regular usage. And NONE of the 25 used injectors I took the injector builder for the race car flowed at 100%, all needed rebuilding, all showed a significant improvement. I took the 12 that flowed the best and paired them in groups of four and every 2 seasons I plunk a new matched set in the fuel rail. The top racing teams, some of them, have their injectors serviced or replaced every other race weekend.

Yup racing is a completely different story like you said. Thats when you go over every inch of the car between races and everything is being pushed right to the bleeding edge. I've seen guys who have acid dipped their spec miata chassis to lighten them up and apply weight back to spec in a better spot...

-Mike Paisan

AZP's First Private Track Event, June 19 at NJMP Thunderbolt $315 including Classroom and Mentor!
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11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

Used the same fuel injector cleaner on two other cars but it was STP, hurt both fuel pumps on both the cars (Mercedes G class and Range Rover). Again I'd like to quote shu5892001. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

The only injector cleaning you're looking for is the actual machine that goes into the fuel rail and cleans out the whole rail for you or when you take out the injector and thoroughly clean it, otherwise, I just think you're wasting money. I'm not saying it's useless (it has its uses) but everyone would have different opinions based on experience and my experience was not good at all with these injector cleaners.