A clean fuel system can improve the longevity of your vehicle, increase power and performance, improve fuel economy and drive ability. Many of us tend to neglect cleaning our vehicle's fuel system, not realizing that this is actually a vital component to prolong the life of your car.
Though a fuel system cleaning is not needed nearly as frequently as an oil change or tire rotation, this type of service can be very advantageous for your vehicle. With usage over time, sediments can accumulate in the gas tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, and fuel injection system.
A fuel system that's dirty will affect vehicle power, performance, fuel economy and drivability. It can also have a direct impact on some of the other engine systems in your vehicle.
It is recommended to get fuel injector cleaning done after every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. If you've noticed a sharp decline in your fuel economy, a lack of power in your car, or have experienced a sluggish feeling when you accelerate, it could mean you need a fuel injection cleaning service.
Clean the gas pump, fuel lines and injectors by adding cleaner to the gas and running the engine. Add a second cleaner directly to the warm engine to remove gunk and carbon deposits from the combustion chambers.
Cleaning of the fuel system flushes out this build-up and cleans the fuel injectors. Your car engine will run smoother and become more fuel-efficient by removing the build-up of carbon deposits and flushing them out of the fuel system.
You can also clean the injectors yourself with a few simple tools. First, remove the fuel injectors from the engine and disassemble them. Then, soak the injectors in a cleaning solution for a few hours. After that, use compressed air to blow out any remaining deposits.
For the first dose, simply install when you have a full tank of gas. It's that simple. From there, many experts will probably tell you that you should add a fuel injector cleaner to your gasoline every time you fill your tank up.
Cost of a Fuel System Service
According to Angie's List, the average cost of a fuel injector cleaning ranges between $50 and $80. However, these figures could be a bit higher, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. In addition, you may be assessed a fee of around $50 if your fuel filter needs to be replaced.
With the proper fuel injector cleaning equipment and chemicals it takes the professionals about 45 – 60 minutes of actual cleaning time to clean a single or set of fuel injectors. During this time the injectors are opened and closed 20 000 to 30 000 time whilst they are inside an ultrasonic bath.
This fuel mixes with air, and then a spark is added and BOOM, combustion. An “injector service” is nothing more than running some cleaning fluid (called “fuel injector cleaner”) thru your injectors. The fluid that dealerships will use is the same stuff you can buy yourself and your local auto parts store.
Absolutely Yes. Fuel injector cleaners work in very diluted amounts, and twice the strength (same amount of cleaner in half as much gasoline) works just a little faster. After all, we're talking about 12 ounces of cleaner in 12–15 gallons of gas, so the ratio of cleaner to gas is 100:1.
Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Bad
What happens when you over-treat your diesel fuel? Overdosing can lead to a whole new list of fuel and engine issues from clogged filters to overall decreased engine performance and efficiency. If you're losing lubricity, don't over-treat.
Fuel injectors should be cleaned at least once every 36 months, or 45,000 miles. Replacing weak or worn-out engine parts without improving performance is not a good idea in general. However, cleaning out dirty injectors may gain a different perspective on engine health.
Age and condition – if the injectors are old or worn out, a clean may not be enough to restore performance and could do more damage. Severe clogging may mean they need to be replaced anyway. Costs – cleaning fuel injectors is cheaper than replacing them.
Although most fuel injector cleaners begin working immediately, it takes time before the improvements become noticeable. Before the cleaners start working effectively, the vehicle should travel several hundred miles and burn a good portion of a full fuel tank.
CARS.COM — Cleaning fuel injectors is a service frequently recommended by dealers and repair shops. But unless there are noticeable signs of clogged fuel injectors (such as a rough idle, stalling, poor acceleration or high emissions levels), it might not be necessary.
The longer it runs, the more continuous the contact time the chemical has with the deposits, and, therefore, the more thorough the level of cleaning. Highway driving is expected to afford slightly better cleaning than start-and-stop driving, which is better still than simply idling.
Can fuel additives damage your vehicle's engine? Yes, if you use them improperly or use them too much. You must follow your vehicle owner's manual and then the instructions on the fuel additive container for best results.