Everyone with a classic car understands the need for high zinc oils, but what about fuels? With the advent of modern E10 fuels and E15 fuels just around the corner, older vehicles made before 2007 have fuel systems not rated for use with E15 (15% ethanol) fuels. Vehicles manufactured in or after 2006 should be compatible with E10 fuels according to numerous sources, but what makes these fuel systems compatible with E10? Modern fuel systems have PTFE lined fuel hoses capable of resisting degradation caused by ethanol fuels, but older vehicles do not. So if your car is older than 2006, you may need to take additional steps to protect your engine and fuel system from the effects of ethanol fuels. Using quality fuel Top Tier or ethanol free premium fuels and selective use of fuel additives along with upgrading to fuel system and engine components that are compatible with modern ethanol blended fuels are steps that should be taken to prevent costly failures.
How does fuel choice affect oil life and performance?
As mentioned above, not using Top Tier fuels can negatively affect the performance of fuel system components. Dirty injectors will have poor fuel atomization and fuel that is not atomized will not combust. This ends up washing down your cylinder bores, breaking down the lubricant films required to protect pistons, rings, and cylinder bores. Ethanol enriched fuels further compound this issue with corrosion issues as well as moisture these fuels introduce into the engine as ethanol is hygroscopic. Using quality fuels and fuel additives like Driven's Carb and Injector Defender products keep fuel system components clean and protected.
WHAT IS E15?
With the introduction of E15 fuels containing up to 15% ethanol, owners of vehicles never designed for ethanol blend fuels must be ever aware of damage that can occur by not choosing the correct fuel for their classic or performance engine.
Thanks in part to lobbying groups like the National Marine Manufacturers Association, steps are being taken to protect consumers by limit the expansion of E15 sales which will eventually lead to what is coined as “misfueling” that will damage engines not compatible with these fuels.[1] Like with modern oils, it is up to the consumer to make informed decisions as to what fuel is correct for their vehicle and not rely on fuel suppliers to warn consumers as to possible engine damage if the wrong fuel is used.
ETHANOL IS HYGROSCOPIC, MEANING IT ABSORBS WATER.
We all know what water in the fuel system is not good and can lead to damage to paper filters, water contamination, and fuel phase separation. Ethanol is also very corrosive and will promote rusting where air meets metal once exposed to ethanol fuels. Ethanol is a solvent and will cause deterioration of rubber, plastics and fiberglass that are not rated for use with ethanol fuels. Lastly, ethanol enriched fuels have much shorter shelf lives than non-ethanol fuels. More on ethanol-enriched fuels later.
TOP TIER™ FUELS
Regardless of choice of E10 or ethanol-free fuels, choosing a Top Tier™ detergent gasoline is very important. This standard, developed in 2004, ensures the fuel you receive from brand to brand and station to station meets the stringent requirements to qualify as a Top Tier fuel. Lower detergent and additive levels found in non-Top Tier™ fuels can have adverse affects on injector, valve, and chamber deposits that can cause drivability issues leading to engine damage and costly repairs.
FUEL CONTAMINATION
Next time you go to put gas and see the station is accepting a fuel delivery, just keep driving by. It is a good practice not to pump when stations are receiving a fuel delivery, as contaminants can be stirred up and even though the fuel is filtered at the pump, why risk getting contaminated fuel? Avoid gas stations with slow filling fuel pumps as this can be a sign there are microorganisms living in the fuel storage tanks that thrive when ethanol and water are present.These bacteria, known as acetobacter, generate acetic acid, which is very corrosive and can cause damage to metal parts in your fuel system. These colonies can form in your fuel tank too, so untreated fuels should be used up within a few weeks to prevent damage.
ETHANOL-FREE FUELS
Although uncommon, some gas stations offer ethanol-free fuels such as REC90 and are often sold near marinas or where there are watersports. Engines operated near or on the water cannot use ethanol enriched fuels. Areas where it is not practical to blend ethanol into unleaded fuels will often have ethanol free fuels available. There are websites and apps for your phone that will help you find ethanol-free fuel suppliers -pure-gas.org is one of them. For lack of ethanol-free or race fuels, some hot rodders have taken to using aviation fuels, known more commonly as AV gas – please don’t. These fuels have a lower density than automotive fuels and will make your car run leaner. Additives in 100LL AV gas will also cause damage to O2 sensors and catalytic converters, so these fuels might cause more harm than good.
FUEL ADDITIVES
Once you have chosen the right fuel another consideration are fuel system treatments, cleaners, and additives. Normally we are not for additives, but in this case, additional steps are required to ensure that older fuel systems are protected and that newer fuel systems are kept at peak performance. Even modern fuel systems can suffer from poor fuel quality and aging components. Regular use of Top Tier™ fuels extended component life and cleanliness, but additional steps can be taken to further improve the situation. Fuel systems not compatible with ethanol enriched fuels must ideally use an ethanol fuel treatment like Driven Carb Defender or Injector Defender with every fill-up. Modern fuel systems should always use Top Tier fuels and use a fuel system cleaner like Driven Injector Defender, LM Jectron, Redline SI-1, or Chevron Techron every 3,000 miles. If the ethanol fuel is going to be sitting any longer than a month, a storage additive like Driven’s Storage Defender™ or Sta-Bil 360 Marine Fuel Treatement & Additive needs to be added to your tank.
GET TO KNOW YOUR FUEL- WHAT IS OCTANE?
In most places, premium fuels are minimum 91 octane (AKI or R+M/2 measurement method) and some locations in the United States and Canada have access to 92, 93, or even 94 octane pump premium fuels. Most race tracks have 100 octane unleaded and even higher octane leaded fuels. AKI ratings are on average 4-6 points lower than RON or MON measurement method used worldwide.
First and foremost, never use leaded fuel in a fuel injected engine with O˜ sensors. Lead will foul O˜ sensors in as little as one tank of fuel and can lead to engine damage. Leaded fuel also contaminates the engine oil, increasing wear, so stay away from leaded fuel unless required by the engine. Older engines without hardened valve seats requiring leaded fuels (pre 1970s) can use lead substitute additives to prevent seat damage. Redline’s Lead Substitute™ uses sodium as the dissimilar metal to protect unhardened valve seats.
Most modern engines with knock-sensing are designed to take advantage of modern, higher octane fuels, increasing performance and efficiency by allowing for advanced timing to make the most of the higher octane fuel, but what is octane? The octane rating is basically a number that relates to the fuels resistance to combustion or to fight pre-ignition and detonation. In a perfect world, to maximize performance, you want to use the lowest octane required to prevent pre-ignition and detonation. Likewise, a high-performance engine or one upgraded with higher compression pistons requires premium high-octane fuel to prevent knock. The side effect is the engine makes more power. So, unless you engine requires or has modern engine management to take advantage of higher octane fuel, use of higher octane fuels is a waste of money. It’s best to refer to your engine builder’s recommendations or if your car is stock, the octane requirements stated by the manufacturer, to ensure you use the right fuel.
If you need higher octane fuel but it is not available to you, beware of octane boosters claiming boosting levels by X points – for example, a 5 point increase would actually increase 91 octane to 91.5 octane unless the manufacturer provides a table to calculate actual octane, as is commonly done with race gas concentrates like that sold by Torco Race Fuels™ or additives like Driven’s Injector Defender™ with Octane Booster.
Lastly, when it comes to older vehicles and fuel systems not designed for E10 ethanol fuels, use of additives to prevent damage is a must. For cars driven regularly, as defined by a tank of fuel used in 30 days or less, adding Driven’s Carb or Injector Defender™ will protect against damage caused by ethanol enriched fuels, and is based on the additives used in South America where E85 and E100 fuels are the norm. For vehicles that are going to be stored, use of a product such as Driven’s Storage Defender™ provides added fuel system corrosion protection and should be added to a full tank of fuel to help minimize the accumulation of moisture in the fuel tank and corrosion. Be sure to run the car after adding these additives to ensure the entire fuel system is protected.
WHY IS ETHANOL USED IN MODERN FUELS?
Corn ethanol is used as an oxygenate and octane booster in the US to conform to ASTM D5798 ethanol fuel standards.[2] Looking beyond E10 or E15, testing has indicated that ethanol blended fuels, specifically E20, has shown a reduction of CO and HC emissions, even though a reduction of overall fuel economy of 6.5% was observed over non-ethanol blended gasoline.[3] It was further documented that even though gasoline has a higher specific heat energy, ethanol’s higher resistance to detonation does allow engines to run with higher spark advance which increases thermal efficiency and output, suggesting that older vehicles without modern ignition management and knock sensing may need adjustment to take advantage of ethanol blended fuels.[4]
Why is ethanol a bad thing? Aside from the argument that ethanol fuel production from typical sources such as corn is at best carbon neutral or a government subsidized industry, there are actual problems that can result from use of ethanol fuels both short and long term. Ethanol increases the water solubility of fuels, which can lead to corrosion of internal engine components. This oxidation occurs through the formation of aggressive chemicals like aldehydes and acids. As ethanol content increases, the corrosive properties of these fuels increases, having negative effects on steel, copper, aluminum, and brass, all materials common to older fuel systems.
Why is ethanol a bad thing? Aside from the argument that ethanol fuel production from typical sources such as corn is at best carbon neutral or a government subsidized industry, there are actual problems that can result from use of ethanol fuels both short and long term. Ethanol increases the water solubility of fuels, which can lead to corrosion of internal engine components. This oxidation occurs through the formation of aggressive chemicals like aldehydes and acids. As ethanol content increases, the corrosive properties of these fuels increases, having negative effects on steel, copper, aluminum, and brass, all materials common to older fuel systems.[5]
Although it has been sufficiently documented that modern vehicles can accept modern ethanol blend fuels with minimal negative issues when doped with corrosion inhibitors, it has been well known that older vehicles are susceptible to damage from these fuels. As early as in 1983, GM published a paper in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) titled “Corrosion of Metals and the Effectiveness of Inhibitors in Ethanol Fuels.” The primary takeaways were that chloride ions were the most aggressive source of contamination in ethanol blended fuels and when combined with acetic acid and ethyl acetate, corrosion was significant. Water content in blended ethanol fuels is the largest concern when evaluating the negative effects of ethanol to fuel system and engine components because water is the carrier for the corrosive chlorides, sales, and other ions that lead to corrosion.[6] When choosing an ethanol blended fuel, using a Top Tier fuel supplier will ensure fuel dispensed meets or exceeds ASTM standards, including limits for moisture content.
On a positive note, they did document that available inhibitors could be added to reduce or eliminate corrosion of components in fuel systems and engines susceptible to ethanol blend fuels. Specifically, GM found corrosion of the carburetor, fuel pump, fuel line, fuel filter, and fuel tank becoming critical for example when small orifices in carburetors get blocked that can cause rough running or lean engine operation result-ing in engine failure. Even in 1983, there were inhibitors available that could provide corrosion protection in the fuel system as well as in storage and transport of ethanol blended fuels, many developed for the Brazilian market where E100 fuels were sold.[7]
Doping with corrosion inhibitors (CI) can also lead to fuel filter, catalyst, and injector plugging as well as intake valve deposits or fuel pump failure, so excessive corrosion prevention can have unintended side effects.[8] Although there is no recommended specification in the ASTM D4806 for CI content, choosing a Top Tier fuel mitigates these problems with increased detergency to prevent these deposits and carbon buildup is recommended.[9] Where Top Tier or ethanol-free fuels are not available, products like Driven’s Carb Defender can be added to any fuel to overcome the negative effects of ethanol blended fuels without any negative side effects.[10]
Outside of corrosion issues, the material compatibility of plastics and rubbers with ethanol blended fuels is another area of concern. Specifically, dry-out sample testing of Polychloroprene rubber hoses common in older fuel systems immersed in E10 found a 70% reduction in strength versus 10% in gasoline. In layman’s terms, cars driven infrequently where lines might drain back to the tank are susceptible to failure with ethanol blended fuels. Replacing these fuel hoses with modern, fuel injection hoses that are flex fuel compatible are recommended for all vehicles that will be exposed to an ethanol blended fuel.[11]
Lastly, ethanol blended fuels also have reduced lubricity over non-ethanol fuels, directly effecting fuel system and engine component life for both vintage and modern engines, especially those with gasoline direct injection (GDI) or gasoline compression ignition (GCI). Elimination of sulfur from domestic fuels for emissions reasons has had an adverse, negative effect on the lubricity of fuels, increasing wear to high pressure injection pumps. Specifically, sulfur’s interaction with metal surfaces to reduce friction on metal sliding surfaces lowers abrasive wear, requiring the addition of lubrication enhancers (LE) to overcome poor lubricity of ethanol blended fuels. Driven’s Injector Defender can be used to provide added lubricity while providing protection from corrosion caused by ethanol. Even with proper dosing, acid based LE outperforms ester based LE, but with sufficient dosing, either LE additive can provide protection to all fuel system and engine components. Without knowing which LE is used and in what concentration, testing carried out by Total ACS found that premium fuels resulted in lower wear, so again, use of a Top Tier fuel in a premium grade where non-ethanol fuels are not available is highly recommended. [12]
Can Driven's Defender Fuel and Oil Additives remove reduce water build-up in the fuel system and engine?
Driven's Carb Defender, Injector Defender, or Storage Defender products will not reduce or remove the actual amount of water that will find its way into an engine and will coalesce inside the engine during storage. Water/Moisture contamination comes from many sources of ingress (air humidity, combustion, breathers, etc.,) as I am sure you are aware. Water in engine oil and the fuel systems is going to be ever present in all honesty. Changing the oil or run the engine to operating temperature to flash the moisture from the oil.
The unique benefit of Driven Storage Defender is the products ability to mitigate the damage that water will cause as a stand-alone product designed specifically for storage. This product is formulated to impart a high level of additive technology commonly known as Rust and Corrosion Inhibitors. This is above and beyond the levels in common engine oil which makes the use of this product a better solution than engine oil alone for storage protection.
Rust is formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water/air. Water & Moisture in our case is known for rusting steel engine parts. Rust inhibitors provide a protective film separating metal parts from moisture. Remember, rust is extremely abrasive and particles will make their way through the engine after storage so rust prevention is very important.
Corrosion is more of chemical attack. Acids found in engine oils are formed during combustion and as the oil oxidizes at engine operating temperatures. Oil also oxidizes while in storage. Water actually accelerates oxidation in storage and helps to create more acidic by products. Corrosion inhibitors work to neutralize these acidic and corrosive by products. If you see pitting damage on engine components— it’s probably corrosion from acidic by products that were not effectively neutralized.
Do I need to use a storage oil additive in my engine?
Many times we get the question about the need for an additional additive for engine oil during storage. While it’s true that a good engine oil will provide rust and corrosion protection during the intended service interval , storage is generally not part of the additive calculation when formulating engine oils. It should also be noted that some of the corrosion protection in common engine oils come as an added benefit of the detergent package. Storage Defender and Driven HR Series oils are different because they have a stand-alone specific rust and corrosion additive intended to address the negative reactions that can occur during storage.
In our opinion successful vehicle storage is about the product and the procedure. The worst case scenario is storing a vehicle is with used engine oil from the diving/racing season in the engine. The oxidation process is well underway from driving. The additive levels are starting to deplete as they neutralize acids. When the car is parked this depleted additive level has much less of a chance to do its job as the moisture trapped in the engine cools and begins to form free water rusting parts and accelerating acid formation. This is a created environment for the rust and corrosion to do its thing. Adding storage defender to the oil will raise the depleted additive levels and provide the needed additional protection.
The best case scenario for storing an engine is to do a (hot) oil change, add new oil and storage defender then running the engine at operating temperature mixing the storage defender and getting it all through the system. The oil change will remove most of the oxidized oil and contaminates including moisture, however as you know an oil change will not get all the oil out of the engine. There will always be some residual oxidized oil, acids and combustion by-products left behind to begin the break down process, but the Storage Defender is there to do its job until the driving season returns.
WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO PROTECT YOUR FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE FROM MODERN FUELS WITH ETHANOL?
- Update fuel lines and filters to mutli-fuel compatible type. Lines and filters rated for E85 fuels will perform very well and provide excellent life with E10 fuels.
- Replace seals and gaskets with modern materials that are compatible with ethanol fuels.
- Add a water separator to the fuel system.
- Have older fuel tanks professionally cleaned and sealed to prevent corrosion.
- Replace mechanical fuel pumps with modern electric fuel pumps compatible with ethanol fuels.
- Use ethanol-free fuels.
- Always use premium high octane fuels if your vehicle can benefit from them.
- Use ethanol fuel additives to protect older fuel systems or those vehicles in storage with every fill up.
- For cars made after 2000 and if using Top Tier fuels at every fill up, add a concentrated fuel system cleaner like Driven Injector Defender at every oil change or every 3,000 miles.
- For cars made before 2000, especially older cars with carburetors or fuel system components not compatible with ethanol fuels, regular use of Driven Carb Defender or Injector Defender is recommend at bare minimum every other fill up if access to ethanol free fuels is not available.
FAQs
Can I put fuel injector cleaner in a full tank? ›
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.
How much fuel additive do I add? ›Using a diesel fuel additive is as simple as pouring it into your tank (1 ounce of additive per every 10 gallons of diesel), and prices range from $8 to $25 for a 1-quart bottle.
Do engine oil additives really work? ›Oil additives can effectively reduce wear and stress on your engine to boost its long-term performance. Lubricants like antifoamants and anti-wear oil additives coat engine parts to prevent stiffness and seizure.
How long does it take for injector cleaner to work? ›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.
Do fuel additives go in empty or full tank? ›Using Gumout fuel additives when your tank is nearly empty facilitates better mixing with the fuel and allows you to get the most from the product chemistry due to longer use at the recommended concentration.
Do you add fuel additives before or after filling up? ›On a simple level, gas treatments work when they are present in the fuel before combustion. The recommendation would be to add any gas treatment you want to use during your fill-up, before you add more gas. Administer the recommended amount of gas treatment into your partially-filled tank, then fill up as normal.
What happens if you put too much fuel additive? ›You can easily add too much of a high-quality diesel fuel additive. 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.
What happens if you add too much additive? ›Additives are designed to work with specific quantities of fuel. For example, 16 ounces of additive may treat 30 gallons of diesel fuel. Over-treating a fuel system with too much additive can damage expensive fuel injectors and the injection pump.
Can you use multiple fuel additives at once? ›Additives can be mixed without harm, but you should take into consideration what each product is meant to do as to not overdose on certain items.
Are oil and fuel additives worth it? ›Most automotive experts agree that properly maintained newer cars won't benefit much from aftermarket fuel additives (the kind you add to your gas tank). These vehicles may show small benefits in longevity and efficiency from pump gasoline with additives such as detergents.
How much oil additive should I use? ›
The dosage of Oil Additive should be 3-5% of the oil filling quantity. Oil Additive can be used at any time, even between oil changes. However, care should be taken that the maximum oil filling quantity including additive is not exceeded.
Will fuel injector cleaner unclog it? ›The only guaranteed way to unclog a clogged injector properly is by removing the injectors from the engine. Once removed, the injectors can be dropped off or mailed to a professional injector cleaning service such as Injector RX.
How many times should I put fuel injector cleaner in my car? ›Generally, we recommend that you clean your injectors every 15,000 miles. However, you could undoubtedly do it less frequently: about every 30,00 miles or once a year. You may also want to be careful about the gas you put into the vehicle and always check its quality beforehand.
Can I add fuel additive to half a tank? ›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.
What must you do after filling your fuel tank? ›Explanation: Make certain that your filler caps are properly closed, so that you don't spill fuel as you drive along the road.
How long do fuel additives work? ›Sometimes Time and Patience is Required...
Think 3000-5000 miles for a good cleanup. This is true whether it's a gasoline engine or a diesel engine.
Add a full bottle of IC5 Fuel Injector Cleaner to your fuel tank. One bottle treats up to 25 gallons. For best results, add when the tank is low to maximize cleaning concentration. Safe for all types of gasoline fuel injection engines.
How long will gas last with additive? ›Fuel stabilized gasoline can last between one and three years under optimal conditions. Gas stored in a car tank begins to degrade in just about a month.
Do fuel additives clean engines? ›On older cars, fuel additives will likely improve your engine's performance because older vehicles tend to have more gunk that builds up in the fuel injectors. Additives can help clean out those deposits and prevent expensive car maintenance down the road.
Can fuel additives damage your car? ›While most fuel additives are, at worst, harmless, Trotta warns against using engine cooling system additives that claim to plug leaks. These, she says, will only work temporarily on small leaks, will have no effect on larger leaks and could cause damage to your car's mechanics.
Can I use Lucas every fill up? ›
Use every fill up for maximum power and fuel economy. The recommended dosage is 2-3 ounces of Fuel Treatment for every 10 gallons of gasoline or diesel fuel. Pour Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant Fuel Treatment directly into fuel tank. Exceeding the recommended dosage is not harmful to your vehicle.
What are the negatives of additives? ›It is often the additives that are used to give a food a marketable quality, such as colour, that most commonly cause allergic reactions. Some of these hypersensitive reactions include: Digestive disorders – diarrhoea and colicky pains. Nervous disorders – hyperactivity, insomnia and irritability.
Can I use 2 bottles of fuel injector cleaner? ›Yes, I do this back to back 1 or 2x a year. My fuel tank is 20 gallons and the fuel system cleaner that I use suggests 2 bottles for 20 gallons, so I run 1 bottle now and then when I run down to 1/2 or lower I add the second bottle. Been doing this for many years and find that it is like a tune up in a bottle.
How much injector cleaner should I use? ›For best results, make sure your gas tank is nearly empty. Pour in the desired amount of fuel injector cleaner, and then fill your tank with gas. That's it. Many injector cleaners call for an ounce of product per gallon of gas.
Which is best fuel additive? ›- Best Overall: Lucas LUC10013 Fuel Treatment.
- Best Value: Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner.
- Honorable Mention: Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Concentrate.
- Best for Diesel Engines: Opti-Lube XPD Formula Diesel Fuel Additive.
- Most Versatile: Helix Racing Products 5-in-1 Ultimate Fuel Additive.
NIST determined that Tufoil has a surface friction so low that it makes Tufoil the most slippery substance known to man.
How long do oil additives last? ›Most conventional oil brands will have a shelf life of about 5 years. Synthetic oil and synthetic blend oil will last about 7-8 years, and maybe even longer. If you cannot find the expiry date, make sure you use up any half-opened or unopened motor oil bottles within 2-5 years of the manufacturing date.
Are high mileage oil additives worth it? ›It may seem like overkill to use an oil that is specifically formulated for older engines, but it's worth it in the long run. The additives in high mileage oils offer a myriad of benefits that will keep your engines working efficiently and reliably for longer.
Is Lucas Oil Additive good for your engine? ›According to Lucas, the oil stabilizer will not only prolong the life of an engine, but it will also provide you with approximately 50% more time between oil changes.
What is top 1 motor oil additives for? ›TOP 1 ENGINE OIL TREATMENT is a fast-action, multi-power oil additive engineered for high performance engines. It is engineered to improve the oil by helping retain its normal viscosity during constant changes in temperature.
Do oil additives break down over time? ›
Petroleum-based oils generally require replacement every 3,500 to 7,500 miles, depending on service use. Synthetic oils can easily offer double the service life as their chemical composition does not break down over time.
Can you add additives to synthetic oil? ›Whether you use mineral-based or synthetic oil, most additives (if not all) are compatible with either type of oil. This is true when you use an aftermarket additive. However, you need to consult an expert mechanic first when you want to add an additive to your vehicle's system.
Will a clogged fuel injector throw a code? ›The fault codes usually associated with a clogged fuel injector can range from misfire codes to lean codes. Fault codes associated with a clogged fuel injector are the P0300 thru P0308 series, which indicates the engine controller is seeing an engine misfire.
How do I clean my fuel injectors myself? ›With your fuel injectors safely removed, you can now clean them individually. Using a soft-bristled brush, you can apply your carburetor cleaner to the outside. Use a fuel injector jumper in order to open up the fuel injector, then spray your cleaner through each side of the fuel injector.
Is it better to clean or replace fuel injectors? ›Injector Replacement or Injector Cleaning? 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.
How do you know if your fuel system needs cleaning? ›- Stress Power Decrease. Towing, overloading, or even driving up a steep hill places stress on your vehicle's engine. ...
- Starting and Idling Trouble. Another indication of fuel system trouble is starting problems and/or rough idling. ...
- Acceleration Lag. ...
- Rotten Gas Mileage.
If your driving includes a lot of highway driving, one bottle every 5,000 miles is adequate (and is our recommended installation interval). However, if at any time you find your vehicle suffering from any of these problems, consider adding a bottle of our fuel treatment: Loss of engine performance or throttle response.
How do I know if my car needs injector cleaner? ›- The Engine Misfires. Dirty fuel injectors may cause your vehicle's engine to misfire. ...
- Idling Gets Rough. Does your vehicle sputter and shake when you're at a stop sign or sitting in traffic? ...
- Your Gas Mileage Tanks. ...
- The RPM Needle Starts to Dance. ...
- Your Car Won't Start.
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. There is no harm in injecting a fuel injector cleaner in a half tank only the thing to be be kept in mind is the right amount being used.
Do you use fuel injector cleaner on empty tank? ›Fuel injector cleaners should be added to your vehicle's gas tank when the tank is nearly empty. While you won't harm the engine or fuel line if you add the cleaner to a full tank, the effectiveness of the additive might not be at its maximum.
What happens if I put too much fuel injector cleaner in my gas tank? ›
What happens if you put too much fuel injector cleaner? You can overdo it when it comes to fuel injector cleaner and give your car too much of a good thing. In such a case, the fuel tank's lining may be damaged. Additionally, you may notice that engine performance and fuel efficiency have been reduced.
Can you put fuel injector cleaner and dry gas together? ›There's no harm in adding fuel injector cleaner and fuel stabilizer to the same gas tank. "Most fuel injector [or] system cleaners actually double up as fuel stabilizers: They preserve and clean the fuel so that it doesn't go bad after some time without using it," says Rosato.
How do I know if I need fuel injector cleaner? ›If your injectors are dirty and/or clogged, your vehicle's engine might misfire. This will feel as if your engine is sputtering, which will make your vehicle lurch or vibrate. Your engine is misfiring and sputtering because the fuel injectors are not providing enough fuel for the air/fuel mixture.
Can fuel injectors spray too much fuel? ›3) Engine surge – If the fuel injector is spraying too much fuel into the engine cylinder, this will create a surge in the engine causing your acceleration to be much slower. When you drive, you'll notice that the engine RPM will change noticeable under constant load rather than remaining at a constant RPM.
At what mileage should you start using fuel injector cleaner? ›Generally, most mechanics recommend cleaning the fuel injectors every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. If you've noticed any of the following, it's time for a fuel system cleaning: Significant decline in your miles per gallon. Loss of performance and power.
How much fuel injector cleaner should I use? ›For best results, make sure your gas tank is nearly empty. Pour in the desired amount of fuel injector cleaner, and then fill your tank with gas. That's it. Many injector cleaners call for an ounce of product per gallon of gas.