I was thinking about using some of that Prestone Fuel Injector Cleaner
on my L-300 but I was wondering if it might harm my engine? I was also
wondering how well a $5 product could clean Fuel Injectors on a car? So
what do you think is it worth it, or is it a waste of money to use it?
And would it do any damage to my engine? Thanks, for any, and all help
on this.

Chevron with Techron additive is the most recommended, it's the black
bottle. If you cannot find that, use STP Fuel Injection Cleaner, also in a
black bottle. Both can be bought at any auto parts store. Chevron additive
has worked the beat on our older Saturns, costs about $8. Tried Prestone,
did nothing for us.

--
marx404

_________________
<WGRG3 (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

I use a bottle of the STP injector cleaner every few months on my '01 lw300.
At the cost of fuel these days, every mpg gained by having a clean fuel
system is worth the cost of the cleaner.

The first time I used the cleaner, a week later I got a failure of the evap
canister vent solenoid. I replaced the solenoid twice - interestingly, it
always failed in August when it is hot. The third solenoid has been in
service for two years now and no problems. I think that the original parts
were of marginal actuation force and did not close always when actuated.
Bottom line is that there is no credible relationship between solenoid
failure and injector cleaner.

<WGRG3 (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

OK, So now I am not to sure if I should use it or not. I do not want to
damage any solenoids, or anything like that. I guess I better ask this
again will this product do any damage to my engine? I do not want to try
it if there is any chance that it will do "any" damage to my L-300
engine. Thanks!

read my post again. What I told you is proven safe. STP FI cleaner or
Chevron w/Techron additive, both in black bottles.

--
marx404

_________________
<WGRG3 (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

Seriously, go use a brand name fuel system cleaner.
I also try to put an engine flush in the oil before an oil change. I used to
use a '5 minute motor flush' but haven't seen that on the shelves for a
while. Now I use a quart of kerosene added to the oil prior to changing.
Warm up the engine, stop it to add the cleaner and then run at idle for 5
minutes. Stop engine and drain promptly.

<WGRG3 (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

WGRG3 (AT) webtv (DOT) net wrote:
It won't harm it, but there's no benefit from it either, unless you've
been using some very low grade, non-detergent gasoline (in California
this isn't even possible as the state mandates a very high minimum
standard for gasoline). As the old commercial used to say "it's in there."

Read "http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1994/June/14.html"

The same goes for oil additives. Back in the days of non-detergent motor
oils there was a benefit to the oil additives, but no more.

If you've been using low quality gasoline, or have a vehicle that is
very rarely used so the gasoline has been sitting in the tank for many,
many months, then use a can of BG 44K. It's better than the Chevron
Techron cleaner, but the Chevron product is okay as well. See
"http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html".

The BG and Chevron products have a low enough level of solvents to not
damage seals, hoses, and gaskets. The cleaners used for off-car cleaning
of injectors are the ones that can damage the engine if used improperly.

Oppie wrote:
You do this on modern engines? I used it to deal with stuck lifters in the 60s but figured it was a bad idea on most cars built since the end of the 70s.

David

DLR wrote:
With single weight, non-detergent motor oil, the kerosene routine was a
good idea. It's totally unnecessary with modern detergent motor oils.
Old habits die hard I guess. There are still some people doing 3000 mile
oil changes too.

OK, Thanks for all the replys! I guess I will try the Chevron with
Techron, since that seems to be the popular one here. Thanks again for
the help!