Fuel system cleaners: It ain't broke, should I fix it?
 

I bought a bunch of bottles of various fuel system cleaners for a project that I abandoned. While preparing to return them to WalMart I thought maybe I should keep one or two for my truck, which has never had the fuel system cleaned in 183,000 miles and runs great.

Then I remembered "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I'd hate to have this stuff mess something up, and I'd hate to waste my money having it not do anything at all. I'm not concerned about power so I'm not worried that I might be missing some power I could have with a clean fuel system. I doubt a dirty fuel system could reduce FE, unless maybe a semi-clogged injector isn't spraying in a good pattern.

So, should I fix what's not broken?

If so, which cleaner should I use? I decided to search BITOG, the forum known for using chemical analysis to bust myths about automotive liquids. There I found some real "I swallowed the marketing" lack of skepticism that you sometimes forget that BITOG might have (but it certainly does). I also found a thread that seemed to discuss it well:
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1142046
Based on that, I figure that Gumout Regane or Redline Sl 1 are the best store-bought choices, and maybe Techron concentrate.

For store bought stuff, I think the Techron is your best bet. I like BG 44k, and not just because my brother in law works for a dealer and I can get it at cost. Stuff like STP is worthless unless you plan to add it to every tank, and then its just about the most expensive stuff on the market.

-Jay

Personally, if I was going to do an EFI cleaning I wouldn't use off the shelf cleaners, especially in a vehicle with 183k miles to cook deposits on. I think it was Midas that did my cleaning in the Tracker. They used a machine connected to the injector rail to clean the system. Worked awesome and I think it was only like $35. I could instantly tell that the injectors were spraying better.

If I was going to do my own cleaning I'd just put half a tank of gas and half a tank of E85!!!

Some of the Scion hypermilers were adding Techron in small amounts to each fillup sooooooo I would say keep that one...

Techron is one of the ones I have. I don't have the Redline or Regane but figured I'd pick one up when I go to return the other stuff. According to the BITOG thread I posed, Techron no longer has the ingredient that made it really good.

I think I'll just return them all. There's nothing wrong with the truck and I get good FE out of it. If I want the injectors cleaned I'll mail them away:
https://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=6648
Read posts by Snax and bobc455 in that thread...

bah just dump one in. sure its not broke but im betting its got some deposits of some sort.

on my s-10 i just ran the truck directly off some fuel injector cleaner. theres a thing where its a cylinder filled with the cleaner and you use air compressor to simulate the fuel PSI the pump can put out. open the lines after the filter and hook it up. turn on the air and start the truck and let it run till it stalls and dies.(out of cleaner) reconnect fuel lines and on your way!

thats what shops do to clean your injectors.

i've heard this is the best way(other than removing them) to clean injectors. it obviously cleans the rail as well.

My 494K Escort has never had a professional injector cleaning and runs fine on it's single injector. I do ocassionally pour a little injector cleaner in it. Probably once every 50-75K miles on average. What I use is CD-2 consentrated injector cleaner that I've had around for several years. I guess it is still available?? You add 1 oz per 10 gallons of gas.

I've used various cleaners on and off. Do they do anything? Never anything quantifiable in my experience. Junk is probably more psychological than anything.

Redline has the strongest concentration (per ounce) of PEA - PolyEtherAmine. This stuff works great, so does Chevron Techron.

I bought 20 bottles of Redline Injector Cleaner when Advance Auto Parts had it on clearance for $1.99