Fuel Injection Service

[conradps]

Just had my 60 K service done. Dealer advised me that I should spend an extra $129. to get my fuel injectors cleaned. I felt this could be unnecessary. When I asked him why this was not included in the 60K service, he said it was because of the "unique conditions" in Colorado --he claimed that Colorado gas contains 17% alcohol and that this alcohol does not burn thoroughly and can clog up the injectors. He also said that if I waited until the injectors clogged up, that would cost be $189 (times 2). Does anyone know if these statements are accurate?

[jay]

I put a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank the fill-up before an oil change.

I've driven a lot of miles over a lot of years, and only ever had a problem in an '85 Volvo, and had the injectors allegedly cleaned.

I'd be inclined to pass on the service, given all the "detergents" in today's fuels. colorider, a memder and Colorado resident, likely has an opinion based on his experience in Colorado, as well.

[john802]

Originally posted by conradps
...he claimed that Colorado gas contains 17% alcohol and that this alcohol does not burn thoroughly and can clog up the injectors. He also said that if I waited until the injectors clogged up, that would cost be $189 (times 2). Does anyone know if these statements are accurate?

Federal mandated alcohol contents on gasoline must be 10% or less. You are much better off using a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner w/ full tank of gas as jay suggested everytime you change your oil/filter.

[RFM]

Originally posted by john802
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by conradps
...he claimed that Colorado gas contains 17% alcohol...
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Federal mandated alcohol contents on gasoline must be 10% or less.

There is another thread where people were talking about trusting your dealership. THIS is the thing that will get me to stop ever coming back -- lying to my face in order to get me to buy something I don't need, or pay for something I shouldn't have to.

Originally posted by john802
You are much better off using a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner w/ full tank of gas as jay suggested everytime you change your oil/filter.

Is this because you only need to use the additive about as often as you change your oil, or is there some other reason this should be done at the same time as an oil change?

[humanoid]

I do it that way because it's just easier to remember when you last added your last bottle.

[xGS]

Just buy your gas from one of the brands that meets the Top Tier standards established by BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Conoco
Phillips
76
Shell
Entec Stations

[http://www.toptiergas.com/]
[http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html]

[kdh32164]

The real advantage to having a professional injector service is to clean the carbon deposits from the intake valves. As carbon builds on the valve and the injector spray hits the valve the fuel will tend to not atomize as well...

[tallgood]

I live in the Midwest. When My Pilot had only 13,000 miles on it and I took it in for the transmission recall the dealer was trying to sell a injector cleaning to my wife. I just asked this same question on a Honda Accord forum. Mine has 70,000. I got enough input to keep from doing it.

[PILOTinginCO]

If you're at 60k miles and want a good injector/intake cleaner, try the stuff called BG44K..... it's great.

The Honda shop where my wife's car goes for service has an awesome service director. He told me to use a can of this stuff in my wife's car about everyone 30k miles and I'd never need to have the injectors cleaned.

My wife's car has 196,000 miles on it and the injectors have never had to be cleaned. We did have to have them replaced at 185,000 miles, because the seals just got old and wore out.... what can you do.

I used to use Chevron Techron in my other vehicles at every 12k miles and never needed injectors cleaned.

[hobbes]

Originally posted by PILOTinginCO
I used to use Chevron Techron in my other vehicles at every 12k miles and never needed injectors cleaned.

Would using Chevron gasoline (with Techron) regularly have the same effect?

[CMasten]

I put a few hundred thousand miles on my E class Benz.. never had a problem with the injection system. My mechanic claimed that due to the fact that I used Chevron gas for the 10+ years I drove it, that the techron kept me from having to ever have it serviced. I have no idea if that is true or not, but he recomends it to all his clients and I use it in both of my Hondas.

Costco has the injection cleaner in 4 packs for like 9.00 if your a member.

[rockman19762001]

Originally posted by hobbes
Would using Chevron gasoline (with Techron) regularly have the same effect?

Yes, if you use Chevron gasoline regularly you will have the same effect.

If you're at 60k miles and want a good injector/intake cleaner, try the stuff called BG44K..... it's great.

Second the BG44K, have used this for years every 30,000 miles or so and never had injectors clogg.

[Larryl]

The Techron every oil change is a good idea, or if it's too much money to spend, then do it once a year, if you drive a lot. At least you're sure that your getting the stuff into your engine. Who knows if the gas station mixed the stuff exactly right every time. Giving your system a boost every now and then is just a way to be sure you're keeping the system clean. It's probably easyer to keep it clean than to catch up later. But the expensive service the dealer is going to do is actually pretty hard on the system and it depends on the skill of the mechanic to get a good, safe result. You might be opening your system up to more expensive repairs. It's kind of like clearing your garbage disposal with a stick of dynamite. Techron is a good product and periodic use is a better way to go.

[CarolinaPilot]

Is the product BG44K a dealer/distributor only product? I located the BG website BG Professional Products. How much does a can of this stuff usually go for? Thanks

[rockman19762001]

Originally posted by CarolinaPilot
Is the product BG44K a dealer/distributor only product? I located the BG website BG Professional Products. How much does a can of this stuff usually go for? Thanks

I usually pay about $10.00 a can for BG44K at the locate oil change location, and have them add it to the gasoline when they change the oil.