Fuel injector cleaner

[1995E]

I'm wondering if using fuel injector cleaner for the Explorer every 10,000 miles would be good for it, the naturally aspirated multi-port fuel injection 3.5L V6.

I'm also wondering should I do it for a direct injection V6. If so, any tips on which fuel injector cleaners are good?

 

[CajunFordEx]

Almost all gasoline sold in the US today has detergents in it to help keep injectors clean. I know people that swear by the use of injector/carburetor cleaners and know some who would never use the stuff.

I would not say it would be good for it, but it wouldn't hurt it either.

I personally use Berryman's B12 Chemtool in all my vehicles about every 40,000 miles and keep some in the gas at all times in my generators to keep the gas from gumming up. Our vehicles do not really keep the gasoline in them long enough to gum up & cause problems, but the things like generators, lawn mowers, etc do.

 

[SWEET ST]

I would never ever use those injector cleaning chemicals they will hurt your injector and void warranty...!

 

[Ryan327]

I'm in the don't bother with it camp. Save the money and use it to clean the top end (intake valves) that will get really nasty over 80 to 100k

 

[GWA1]

I have used Chevron Techron in my vehicles for more years than I can remember. About every30 thousand miles. Put it in when tank is about one quarter full and then filler up to mix well. A mechanic told me about this after having my Bronco two run like **** over and over again.
As for detergents in gasoline. A neighbor took to dealer her RAV4 for oil change. 30 thousand miles. Dealer recommended cleaning injectors and throttle body. When she got car back she couldn't believe how much better it ran. She only uses Shell gas.
And now asks me to put Techron in her car!
http://www.chevronwithtechron.com/products/fuel-additives.aspx

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

I use the Chevron Fuel System Cleaner with Techron in all my Porsches. Haven't used it in the Explorer on any regular basis. Good product. The key with any fuel system cleaner is to use it prior to your oil change. Add to a full tank of fuel, run it very low, re-fuel, and then schedule your oil change.

 

[1995E]

I use the Chevron Fuel System Cleaner with Techron in all my Porsches. Haven't used it in the Explorer on any regular basis. Good product. The key with any fuel system cleaner is to use it prior to your oil change. Add to a full tank of fuel, run it very low, re-fuel, and then schedule your oil change.

Thanks for the recommendation. That's what I used. I got it on a discount at Costco. I think I noticed an increase in performance for the Explorer because acceleration was a lot quicker. The engine revved a lot higher a lot faster. Throttle response was almost immediate. I poured the bottle in when I only had 50 mile range left on the tank and didn't refill. I hope that's not bad for it. I felt like a higher concentration of the stuff would do more cleaning.

 

[Ryan327]

If you think it helped then great, but there is a placebo effect with most things like this to me. I don't see it helping or hurting personally, but carbon build up on the valves of direct injection engines is pretty well proven so that's where I'd put this money towards.

 

[1995E]

If you think it helped then great, but there is a placebo effect with most things like this to me. I don't see it helping or hurting personally, but carbon build up on the valves of direct injection engines is pretty well proven so that's where I'd put this money towards.

Well, I also got my oil changed after I put it in yesterday. On my way back, I averaged 24.4 MPG! I checked after filling up the tank, resetting the meter. I couldn't believe it so I drove to the gas station to fill up again and surely enough, the little estimate thing was accurate. I even checked the data on my GPS. I do not know if it was the fuel injectors but the vehicle was able to hold up very low RPMs, less than 2,000 RPMs and I was cruising at 35 - 40 MPH and I was also going up hill! What a difference. Maybe it is the placebo effect but it is working. Also, so I should use fuel injector cleaner in my direct injection engine?

 

[peterk9]

Well, I also got my oil changed after I put it in yesterday. On my way back, I averaged 24.4 MPG! I checked after filling up the tank, resetting the meter. I couldn't believe it so I drove to the gas station to fill up again and surely enough, the little estimate thing was accurate. I even checked the data on my GPS. I do not know if it was the fuel injectors but the vehicle was able to hold up very low RPMs, less than 2,000 RPMs and I was cruising at 35 - 40 MPH and I was also going up hill! What a difference. Maybe it is the placebo effect but it is working. Also, so I should use fuel injector cleaner in my direct injection engine?

I checked mine today since it isn't something I normally pay much attention to as far as RPMs go. Driving along at 40mph the tach needle is around 1200 RPM, at 50mph it shows 1300 RPM and at 60mph it shows 1800 RPM.
Keep in mind that I have the 20" wheels so the RPMs should be a bit lower than with 18" wheels.

Peter

 

[Joe Dirt]

Honestly, I'd be careful. I do know that some of the Japanese built outboards and consumer power products (like generators) don't like them. My Dad had to have 2 outboards rebuilt and a generator replaced due to the cleaners eating up the rubber innards of the hoses, fittings, etc- and gumming up the engines. They said do not use them in those applications. I don't know how or why they react to the materials, but without knowing what is inside the Ex engine, as was said- gas has detergents in it- I wouldn't do it. I've used Techron on my older vehicles though.