Fuel Injector Cleaners, Anyone Use them?

[FinalImpact]

All,
Anyone ever seen anything saying NOT to use F/I cleaners? I've always used Chevron Techron in the cars and believe it helps keep the system clean. Always use it before winter and after winter to remove moisture too.

I bought some for the bike but haven't added it yet. . . . Unless someone can come up with a good reason not to, its going in!

Thanks and let me know!

 

[Sarz]

I've used a Full injector cleaner a couple of times on my fz6. Hasn't caused any problems and I always feel the bike benefits from it. Wouldn't bother in a low mileage bike but mines done just over 30,000 miles now.

 

[deeptekkie]

While I know the Chevron Techron is a great product I now shy away from any type of fuel injector cleaners. I used it in two cars recently and right afterwards, both needed new O2 sensors! (A mechanic buddy of mine says that they will fry your sensors) I dunno, this is just my biased, unprofessional opinion. If others here have used them in their bikes and say that was okay I would think it may be okay. Me personally though? I will continue to shy away from them.

 

[iSteve]

I've use it in my miata and cherokee both have over 150k miles on them now. Not sure if they help but doesn't seem to hurt. I have a bottle of PJ1 injector cleaner that I put some in my FZ at 3000 and 6000, again not sure if it helps any.

 

[stevesnj]

I use Gumout concentrated FI cleaner about every 10 tanks. I put about an ounce in. The fuel injectors are susceptible to the same problems as car injectors. The cleaner will do no harm. Been using it all of my 17k miles with no issues.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I also use Chevron techtron (and Seafoam) in both my bikes (previous bikes as well) and the SUV occasionally. The FJR also has an O2 sensor as well as the FZ.

I like the Techtron for cleaning the fuel system and the Seafoam for cleaning the top end of the engine (combustion chamber)..

My girlfriends car also gets a treatment more ofter (daily driver). No problems what so ever, she's also picked up approx 2 MPG with a V6, 40,000, Mercury Mariner.

 

[joe1971]

I use seafoam, once in the spring in the first full tank and in the fall when I park it for the winter. I used on an older carbed bike that I was about to pull the carbs off of, after about 5mi it ran like a completely different bike. After that one tank all it issues where gone.

 

[champion221elite]

+1 on Seafoam! I use Seafoam religiously in my Mercury 225 EFI outboard engine. Two stroke engines can easily fall victim to carbon deposits which can cause catastrophic failure if unchecked. It cleans the fuel injectors which not only spray the fuel, but also the oil at a variable ratio of 50-80:1. My piston crowns, ring grooves and prop hub are squeaky clean and free of carbon.

I use Seafoam in every gallon fuel burned through my 2 stroke engines, as well as occasionally throughout the year with my FZ6. It's a good product that does exactly what it says it will.

 

[04fizzer]

Add me to the Sea Foam boat.

 

[psnbye]

There's nothing wrong with a good fuel injector cleaner like sea-foam or Chevron, that ethynol crap the government forces us to use is worse on your sensors and seals in your engine than any cleaner ever was.

 

[FinalImpact]

Past experience says (another forum) you can get carried and away and people DID KILL the catalytic converter so I'd stick to the recommended manufactures dosage. Of course most people add this stuff when something is wrong already and the dead cats could be from age, contaminants, running rich, exhaust leaks, etc. . .

As pointed out, before and after winter is good for getting moisture out of the tank too. :thumbup:

Thanks for your input everyone!


Food for thought: every time you turn the engine off a certain amount of combustion gases, fuel vapor, and oil vapor remain trapped in the engine below the throttle plates. Over time these fumes and gases accumulate on everything including the injector spray nozzle. Its a good idea a treat this gradually based on use so it doesn't become a problem!

 

[PhotoAl]

I use Chevron gas which has the fuel injector cleaner in it - but very dilute. I think fuels are required to have some injector cleaning properties to keep all the emission control equipment working. Picked up a bottle of Yamalube Ring Free Plus fuel additive which is supposed to clean the top end of the engine - haven't tried it yet.