Injector cleaners?

[Crash712us]

I know there are a few threads that have touch on the subject but thats about it. Are off the shelf cleaners suitable for DI motors? What does ford recommend? I have done a little of looking into haven't found any definitive answers. I think most people do not know the differences between Direct injection and other injection systems. And how to maintain the intake tract. I seen a 3m do it yourself kit that takes care of the whole system, but will it harm DI system?

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Darreli & I have W/M spray systems that clean our engines while we race!!!!!!

Seriously, don't think there are any additives you can use, simply because fuel does not pass thru any part of the manifold, or over intake valves. Ford has designed in an "oil catch-can" to collect breather fumes and funnel oil back into engine, so our engines are not as big a problem as some. On my 2 G8 GT's, the oil catch cans collect as much as an ounce of oil per thousand miles, depending on my driving habits. All of that would have passed thru intake, over valves, and into engine. With EB system as long as vehicle isn't down on power, you shouldn't have to worry. Maybe have it professionally cleaned every couple years.

 

[N8rfastback]

you may be able to spray some cleaner into the intake and have the car ingest it that way, but honestly I have no clue what this would do for you, it would take a significant amount over time to do any real cleaning and it probably wouldnt be worth the effort involved....

 

[Crash712us]

whats your thoughts on this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX5J5kZLTw4

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

It costs $35. on Amazon - free ship...

Likely wouldn't hurt. When I had my intake pipe off my T.B. there was some carbon on it, which wiped off with a terrycloth towel.

May try it myself.

 

[Showgun]

Looks like a decent product, but what I think more about these days is what comes out of the engine and coats the 02 sensors which apparently are very sensitive to additives.

This 'sensitivity' and 'coating' could manifest in poor idling and performance and eventually replacement of the costly sensors.

Am I worried about too much here?

 

[esfoad]

What kind of cleaning are we talking about here? About every 10K miles I put in a bottle of Techron in the gas. I've done this with all my vehicles forever and have always had great service, never a major engine issue. Are you guys talking about that kind of cleaning or something else?

 

[Crash712us]

Mainly the intake tract esfoad. Seeing the sho is direct injected there no fuel that flows over the valves.
I will have to email 3m to see what they have to say, However I do believe would be entirely safe.

 

[Showgun]

Presumably these injectors will need cleaning themselves even tho they inject the fuel into the cylinder and not back of the valve into the intake tract.

They still need to spray/atomize properly, so to my mind there would be a need for cleaning.

Please comment.

 

[Crash712us]

Yes them are my thoughts too, but main concern is with intake tract. There was a thread on here with a link to bk44 I believe was call and they did some pretty extensive tests and the sho does a pretty job of keeping the intake from get sludged up. But I keep my car extremely well maintained and often drive for 10yrs or more. So if this 3m stuff is safe to use for 35 bucks every 15,000mi or so to keep my motor clean. Would be worth it to me. I am sure the dealer does preform the same sort of service for a lot more cash.

 

[mjhpadi]

I haven't used any additives in the SHO but I have used Lucas Fuel System cleaner in several other vehicles with no negative results. I never thought about contaminating the oxygen sensors, but that really is a concern. We did have the B&G fuel service done on our 99 Sable and it did a great job of cleaning the top end. I can't remember if it was 49 or 69 dollars, but was not an unreasonable price since it was done by the Ford dealer we use locally.

One last thought, I know that it doesn't have anything to do with the direct injection, but I am a big fan of having the fuel filter changed every 15K miles, simply because of the amount of stuff I've seen come out of the filters. I don't know if that helps keep the injectors clean, but I'm betting it can't hurt, and it is pretty inexpensive insurance to keep dirt from reaching the injectors.

 

[Showgun]

I haven't used any additives in the SHO but I have used Lucas Fuel System cleaner in several other vehicles with no negative results. I never thought about contaminating the oxygen sensors, but that really is a concern. We did have the B&G fuel service done on our 99 Sable and it did a great job of cleaning the top end. I can't remember if it was 49 or 69 dollars, but was not an unreasonable price since it was done by the Ford dealer we use locally.

One last thought, I know that it doesn't have anything to do with the direct injection, but I am a big fan of having the fuel filter changed every 15K miles, simply because of the amount of stuff I've seen come out of the filters. I don't know if that helps keep the injectors clean, but I'm betting it can't hurt, and it is pretty inexpensive insurance to keep dirt from reaching the injectors.

Very good point on the fuel filter(s) Mark.....Gas these days can be contaminated, especially if one unknowingly come across some stale stuff.

Not sure I'd want to go with the intake tract cleaner tho -- can I/T get gummed up badly enough to need a cleanout? Perhaps the EGR and the like can gradually get pollutants in the system.

-- lol, I guess if I kept my cars longer I'd notice some buildup here and there. I'll have to rely on you guys for those answers.

 

[mjhpadi]

I know that in the Sable, I was amazed at how much gunk was built up in the plentium (sic) when we bought it. Also, the throttle body was so bad gunked up, that I had to remove it and clean it. I'm not sure where all the stuff comes from, but it is amazing how much dirt and what appeared to be carbon was built up on the air intake side of the injectors.

 

[Showgun]

I know that in the Sable, I was amazed at how much gunk was built up in the plentium (sic) when we bought it. Also, the throttle body was so bad gunked up, that I had to remove it and clean it. I'm not sure where all the stuff comes from, but it is amazing how much dirt and what appeared to be carbon was built up on the air intake side of the injectors.

Wow. and that was over some years of driving?
Maybe there's recirculating systems to put pollution/vapours/ whatever into the intake tract like the old EGR systems
To my mind it would be better going straight into the cylinder like the gas is.

--- or even burned up in the exhaust gases instead of messing up the intake.

I've heard of 'catch cans' on engines but never used them. Maybe this is what they're for: to catch the crud instead of it building up on the intake system.

Changing oil more often has to help with that problem if that's some of the source. I believe you said you do yours every 5k -- I know mine about every 3k but I don't drive as much and like to keep it fairly fresh. Being that I don't drive more than 6-8k -- I still don't have to change it more than 2x per year.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Believe it was discussed recently on SHO forum that fuel filter is attached to fuel pump and is a lifetime filter.

 

[mjhpadi]

Believe it was discussed recently on SHO forum that fuel filter is attached to fuel pump and is a lifetime filter.

Boy, I sure hope not...if it is, that isn't one of Ford's better ideas....but should make for more repair problems down the road.

 

[yamahaSHO]

That's pretty common on cars these days. If Ford has caught up to the crowd, they'll have an access door to the fuel pump which makes it an easy swap.

 

[moobypets]

well me i use seafoam to clean the intake and combustion chamber and as a regular cleaner and maintance i use atf in the gas it does pretty good job and it cheap

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Boy, I sure hope not...if it is, that isn't one of Ford's better ideas....but should make for more repair problems down the road.

On my Flex, the fuel pump is easily accessed below the pass rear folding bucket seat. You pull up carpet, and there is an access panel. Would guess it is under the rear seat on the SHO. Didn't pull pump, but it looks to easily twist out.

 

[Showgun]

On my Flex, the fuel pump is easily accessed below the pass rear folding bucket seat. You pull up carpet, and there is an access panel. Would guess it is under the rear seat on the SHO. Didn't pull pump, but it looks to easily twist out.

That's typically where they are in cars that I've had (under passenger side rear seat) and yes it's just a matter of twisting a 1/4 turnj to release.

Not as easy as an inline underbody 'can' filter but not too bad just the same.