Injector Cleaner

[sjmcc]

Should be called wallet cleaner not injector cleaner.

Too right. Cleaning injectors is wasteful, I really doubt it works. Only way to fix injectors is to replace them.

 

[Trevhead62]

I've been using FlashLube (the blue stuff not the yellow) Fuel injector cleaner in my V6 Calais since new every time I fill up. I buy the 1L bottle from any one of the big auto outlets (Repco, Autobarn etc) for around 15 bucks and then top up a small 50ml squirt bottle which I keep handy in the boot. You only use 1ml per liter so it lasts for ages and I don't notice the cost on top of the petrol which I only ever use the cheapest unleaded. It's done 105,000kms and never misses a beat. Starts easy all the time and I average 9.4 L/100kms (according to the computer). Other people who drive my car say it is very responsive and has heaps of power - I have to agree with them. I have noticed also that my engine oil stays cleaner between changes. That's a sign of more complete combustion thanks to nice clean injectors.
So I would recommend FlashLube - (the blue one). But you have to use it regularly to get the benefits.

 

[wassaby]

The main reason i used it was because i have bad fuel econmy. My fuel was reading 16l -17L/ 100km and avg 24L -28L. So far i have replace fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, 2 o2 sensors in the front and still the same. I just put some injector cleaner in and its runing 21L - 24L per 100km and avg is on 18L -21L , is it normal to use more fuel when injector cleaner is in the fuel tank. Apart from that is this does not work is it worth getting the injectors replaced to get the fuel back down to 13L/100km

 

[Trevhead62]

The injector cleaner mixed in with the fuel in the tank does not decrease your economy. It's supposed to improve it. That kind of economy is horrendous! I doubt whether dirty injectors alone is to blame. My VZ Calais gets those sort of figures only when towing or driving with a lead foot. Give it a double dose in the first couple of tanks of fuel and see what it does. It won't hurt anything (except for the sting in your wallet). Does the exhaust belch black smoke? Does it idle rough? Hard to start? Lack power? Or it might be something as simple as modifying your driving style!! If none of the above, I reckon there's something else wrong with it. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for the injectors to be ultrasonically cleaned, and how would you feel if that didn't improve it? But if you want to rule that out, take it to a reputable mechanic and ask them to go over it.

 

[wassaby]

Not the driving style as the revs do not get over 2500. It has evidence of black smoke out of the exhaust as the tip is all black in the corner, but when runing its not black at all. It does idle rough when first started and then not as bad at the lights, not hard to start all though a couple of weeks ago it would not start but seems to be fine now, i reckon its lacking power, have notice the power increase with the injector cleaner in the tank. With the black smoke what would be the cause of that?

 

[Trevhead62]

Any black smoke (soot) is the result of incomplete or poor combustion. The fuel to air ratio (fuel mixture) being to rich. Many things can cause that in modern engines. Dirty injectors will definitely be one. Rough idling when cold and poor starting is also a symptom. I'd stick to running a dose of injector cleaner in it for the next two or three tanks to see if it improves. Still, 20L/100kms is pretty bad fuel usage for normal driving. If it is the injectors they must be pretty bad. FlashLube should help a lot. (No I am not affiliated with flashlube in any way).

 

[wassaby]

lol . And if it is still the same after i run cleaner through, any other suggestions, replacing the injector or just take it to a mechanic

 

[Trevhead62]

If you've replaced the fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, 2 o2 sensors, then I'm out of suggestions other than have you checked for vacuum leaks? Small hoses or manifold leaks can interfere with the engine management system. That's about the extent of my knowledge. Sorry. Failing all that, a good mechanic should be able to diagnose the problem. A (change-over) full set of refurbished injectors will set you back a few hundred bucks plus labor. You can remove and replace the injectors yourself and save on labor costs. I've done it on a VT Ecotech before and it was fairly easy but not on the VZ alloytech 190 so I'm not much help.

 

[acarmody]

Checked you ignition leads? Also try some MAF cleaner.

But the first thing I would be doing is getting an error code check. That sort of economy and likely it will be chucking some codes up.

 

[WogBoyz]

best injector cleaner ive found is the Nulon Total fuel system cleaner its like 20 bucks or so but works wonders, every 3 - 4 months i put it in and always run 98ron everyfill up hope this helps