Dealer Fuel injector cleaning service

imom · 01-27-2011, 11:36 AM

I know this is discussed before, but I didn't find anything relevant other than the fact that the we should use techron fuel additive in the search I did.

Took my car in for service and they recommend the Fuel Injector Cleaning service for $190. I asked them do they remove the injectors, they said no, they run an alternate fuel line into the injectors to soften up the build up and put then put the additives in the tank.

has anyone done this at the dealer and notice any difference? Trying to see if it's worth the $190...I've been using chevron for a while and running the fuel cleaner from Costco chevron cleaner.

Please chime in. Thanks.

nutzkicker617 · 01-27-2011, 11:42 AM

They can recommend a million other things as well....but the main question is whether or not you need it.

Have you been noticing rough idle conditions? lower MPG? Loss of power?

If your car is running fine then the service is not needed and just continue to run the Techron every 3-5,000 miles.

Swashplate · 01-27-2011, 11:55 AM

And I have been told not to use it more than that as it will begin to break down your motor oil.

imom · 01-27-2011, 11:57 AM

No rough idle that I'm aware of...not sure about hesitation... but if there's carbon build up... you never know until it's really bad. My MPG is about the same...I get about 2 to 3 more MPG when I have the bottle of Techron in...other than that...I get about 190 miles per tank in the city.

But I wanted to know if the dealer injector service is any good or it's the same thing as them throwing in a bottle of techron for $190. Thanks for the input though.

esqu1re · 01-27-2011, 12:25 PM

I think it's snake oil, man. Just try and use good fuel and run techron once in a while. Unless you have over 100,000 miles on your car, I wouldn't even worry about fuel injectors.

jmillet · 01-27-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imom

I know this is discussed before, but I didn't find anything relevant other than the fact that the we should use techron fuel additive in the search I did.

Took my car in for service and they recommend the Fuel Injector Cleaning service for $190. I asked them do they remove the injectors, they said no, they run an alternate fuel line into the injectors to soften up the build up and put then put the additives in the tank.

has anyone done this at the dealer and notice any difference? Trying to see if it's worth the $190...I've been using chevron for a while and running the fuel cleaner from Costco chevron cleaner.

Please chime in. Thanks.

Ask your Service Advisor to pull up and read SIB 13 02 06 and SIB 13 05 06
http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/5-ser...tml#post170288

http://www.toptiergas.com/deposit_control.html

If a fuel system cleaning to necessary here is how it's to be done:
Fuel System Cleaning SIB 13 01 07.pdf

tekmoe · 01-27-2011, 02:47 PM

Out of curiosity, would the Techron fuel additive show high lead content in an oil analysis? Reason I ask is because I sent an oil sample to Blackstone labs and they came back and told me the lead content was 57 PPI compared to the universal average of 3 PPI.

mousitch · 01-27-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekmoe

Out of curiosity, would the Techron fuel additive show high lead content in an oil analysis? Reason I ask is because I sent an oil sample to Blackstone labs and they came back and told me the lead content was 57 PPI compared to the universal average of 3 PPI.

My last Blackstone I did(and first on coupe) had a 53 on lead. Im pretty sure this was caused by racing fuel from previous owner or contamination in the oil from the BMW tech who sampled the oil. Not too worried as it could be many things. Will sample again in March but curious as well about Techron as I put some in before the sample was taken.

3002 tii · 01-27-2011, 10:26 PM

I use Redline in my daily but not the Z4

pokeybritches · 01-28-2011, 03:27 AM

I'm about to send in a sample, so I'll report the results.

OP: how did they determine that you need this fuel injector cleaner service?

imom · 01-28-2011, 03:59 AM

I was curious about the cold weather cranking...takes about 1s longer...he said it was normal... but Cali gas is cheap and they say that the SIB is to recommend cleaning the fuel injectors for customers to queries about any hesitation or gas related. He wasn't pushing too hard. He's a good service adviser... I"m sure he has to sell some, but pretty up front and great service...so I'm not going to say anything bad.

I was just curious if what the dealer did really worth the money.

santov · 01-29-2011, 01:31 AM

Unless you're experiencing hesitation, check engine ligts, bad throttle, etc I'd suggest you run a cleaner in your tank. Just make sure you do it AFTER you get a sample for Blackstone and BEFORE you change the oil (like the last tank of gas before you change the oil). No sense in changing the oil then running the caustic stuff through your fuel system and letting the stuff get into the oil.

I am a believer in the Chevron fuel system cleaner as good maintenance.

If you really want to clean the injectors you can take them out and send them here: http://www.lindertech.com/inj_faqs.htm

BTW: If you're getting a rough idle the sparkplugs would be a cheaper way to swap. A worn plug can really make a rough idle. And the BMW "lifetime" plugs are a joke, yes they're good plugs, just not 100k miles good.

santov · 01-29-2011, 01:38 AM

Oh, I forgot to add... $190 for a bottle of cleaner and a "special" line is snake oil.

Finnegan · 01-29-2011, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santov

Oh, I forgot to add... $190 for a bottle of cleaner and a "special" line is snake oil.

And pure profit for the dealer. Along with "oil flushes" and other "special" services.

pokeybritches · 01-29-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santov

Unless you're experiencing hesitation, check engine ligts, bad throttle, etc I'd suggest you run a cleaner in your tank. Just make sure you do it AFTER you get a sample for Blackstone and BEFORE you change the oil (like the last tank of gas before you change the oil). No sense in changing the oil then running the caustic stuff through your fuel system and letting the stuff get into the oil.

I am a believer in the Chevron fuel system cleaner as good maintenance.

If you really want to clean the injectors you can take them out and send them here: http://www.lindertech.com/inj_faqs.htm

BTW: If you're getting a rough idle the sparkplugs would be a cheaper way to swap. A worn plug can really make a rough idle. And the BMW "lifetime" plugs are a joke, yes they're good plugs, just not 100k miles good.

Truer words have never been spoken.

imom · 01-30-2011, 07:46 PM

I've been running chevron gas for quite some time now and I also put the costco chevron gas cleaner as directed. But I wanted to see if anyone actually had the dealer injector cleaning service performed and saw any difference...that was my original questions.

I just want to make sure my cars are always in prime condition that's all. I thought about new spark plugs...but my car only has 25.5K miles on it.

santov · 01-30-2011, 10:35 PM

FYI: I changed my sparkplugs at 24k since I bought my car used. The old ones looked fine, but after I put new ones in the idle was much smoother. From Tisher or BavAuto they were big bucks, but only $6 from Kragen's. So for under $40 you can only improve throttle and idle. Don't forget a little anti-sieze on the threads.

KevinC · 01-30-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

And pure profit for the dealer. Along with "oil flushes" and other "special" services.

My idiot dealer just tried to sell me a $189 alignment, because it's supposedly on the "maintenance schedule" to be done every 15k miles. Really? BULLPUCKY. Alignments are done when needed, not by mileage. And my local frame & alignment guy, who does the job RIGHT (I've had horrible experience over the years with stealership alignments), charges LESS THAN HALF of what these knucklers want to charge me. I REALLY resent that kind of up-sell - pure out-and-out lying with the "schedule" claim. These are the same retards who admit to putting 40 psi in "all" tires of "all" cars that they service, despite the fact that it has no relation to the individual pressures called for in the individual cars. This visit the idiot SA told me that they do this because so many cars come in underinflated and many people don't bother to check, so this is like some kind of favor they're doing them or something. Really? I wonder if their lawyer knows they're doing this?? Idiots.

thekurgan · 01-31-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santov

FYI: I changed my sparkplugs at 24k since I bought my car used. The old ones looked fine, but after I put new ones in the idle was much smoother. From Tisher or BavAuto they were big bucks, but only $6 from Kragen's. So for under $40 you can only improve throttle and idle. Don't forget a little anti-sieze on the threads.

BMW recommends "naked" threads though.

imom · 01-31-2011, 07:30 PM

Hi, My idles are not rough... I was more curious than anything. In non Sport mode, it seems a little slow...but it could be just the computer...I need to do the reset trick I believe... In non sport mode...which I don't drive in that much it seems fine. So I'm not sure if the spark plugs are needed. If I was keeping the car, I would get it chipped...but I wanted it stock and under warranty...so I never did anything with the car, other than put OEM strut bars.

Far as alignments go, I've had several dealers say the same thing, that these cars needs to be preloaded before the alignment is done. I guess they fill up the car with sand bags or something and then do the alignment.

I had a little vibration in the steering wheel above 70...I wasn't sure what the problem was...They told me $120 for balancing all 4 tires. I knew was getting robbed...but for me to go to my alignment guy and do it...it cost that much in my time...so I just paid the dealer to do it...seems fine now.

There's a lot of upselling done everywhere...even my dentist does it...offer me a $35 fluoride rinse...did nothing for me...said it could be covered under insurance and billed me afterwards....needless to say I no longer go to that dentist. Far as the Service Advisers are concerned. The one I have in SoCAL is the best so far of the 3 places I've been. I don't recommended Bob Smith nor Valencia...in Los Angeles. Valencia fixed my car and I had to fix it myself afterwards.

01-27-2011, 11:36 AM	#1
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	Dealer Fuel injector cleaning service I know this is discussed before, but I didn't find anything relevant other than the fact that the we should use techron fuel additive in the search I did. Took my car in for service and they recommend the Fuel Injector Cleaning service for $190. I asked them do they remove the injectors, they said no, they run an alternate fuel line into the injectors to soften up the build up and put then put the additives in the tank. has anyone done this at the dealer and notice any difference? Trying to see if it's worth the $190...I've been using chevron for a while and running the fuel cleaner from Costco chevron cleaner. Please chime in. Thanks.
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01-27-2011, 11:42 AM	#2
nutzkicker617 Private 28 Rep 99 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	They can recommend a million other things as well....but the main question is whether or not you need it. Have you been noticing rough idle conditions? lower MPG? Loss of power? If your car is running fine then the service is not needed and just continue to run the Techron every 3-5,000 miles.
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01-27-2011, 11:55 AM	#3
Swashplate Major 111 Rep 1,351 Posts Drives: in Anger. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Newcastle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe' [0.00]	And I have been told not to use it more than that as it will begin to break down your motor oil. __________________ Gone (2006 STI, 2008 EVO MR, 1968 Mustang) AFE Intake/Euro Cats/CSL Headers/Sportline CSL/H&R Springs 1217/1815 !!! BOILER UP !!!
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01-27-2011, 11:57 AM	#4
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	No rough idle that I'm aware of...not sure about hesitation... but if there's carbon build up... you never know until it's really bad. My MPG is about the same...I get about 2 to 3 more MPG when I have the bottle of Techron in...other than that...I get about 190 miles per tank in the city. But I wanted to know if the dealer injector service is any good or it's the same thing as them throwing in a bottle of techron for $190. Thanks for the input though.
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01-27-2011, 12:25 PM	#5
esqu1re Lieutenant Colonel 41 Rep 1,855 Posts Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I think it's snake oil, man. Just try and use good fuel and run techron once in a while. Unless you have over 100,000 miles on your car, I wouldn't even worry about fuel injectors. __________________ ///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust
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01-27-2011, 02:47 PM	#7
tekmoe Captain 55 Rep 844 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Out of curiosity, would the Techron fuel additive show high lead content in an oil analysis? Reason I ask is because I sent an oil sample to Blackstone labs and they came back and told me the lead content was 57 PPI compared to the universal average of 3 PPI.
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01-27-2011, 10:26 PM	#9
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	I use Redline in my daily but not the Z4 __________________ Follow for latest mods
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01-28-2011, 03:27 AM	#10
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	I'm about to send in a sample, so I'll report the results. OP: how did they determine that you need this fuel injector cleaner service?
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01-28-2011, 03:59 AM	#11
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	I was curious about the cold weather cranking...takes about 1s longer...he said it was normal... but Cali gas is cheap and they say that the SIB is to recommend cleaning the fuel injectors for customers to queries about any hesitation or gas related. He wasn't pushing too hard. He's a good service adviser... I"m sure he has to sell some, but pretty up front and great service...so I'm not going to say anything bad. I was just curious if what the dealer did really worth the money.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-29-2011, 01:31 AM	#12
santov Lieutenant 64 Rep 483 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0si White over Beige Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area, Calif iTrader: (8)	Unless you're experiencing hesitation, check engine ligts, bad throttle, etc I'd suggest you run a cleaner in your tank. Just make sure you do it AFTER you get a sample for Blackstone and BEFORE you change the oil (like the last tank of gas before you change the oil). No sense in changing the oil then running the caustic stuff through your fuel system and letting the stuff get into the oil. I am a believer in the Chevron fuel system cleaner as good maintenance. If you really want to clean the injectors you can take them out and send them here: http://www.lindertech.com/inj_faqs.htm BTW: If you're getting a rough idle the sparkplugs would be a cheaper way to swap. A worn plug can really make a rough idle. And the BMW "lifetime" plugs are a joke, yes they're good plugs, just not 100k miles good.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-29-2011, 01:38 AM	#13
santov Lieutenant 64 Rep 483 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0si White over Beige Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area, Calif iTrader: (8)	Oh, I forgot to add... $190 for a bottle of cleaner and a "special" line is snake oil.
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01-30-2011, 07:46 PM	#16
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	I've been running chevron gas for quite some time now and I also put the costco chevron gas cleaner as directed. But I wanted to see if anyone actually had the dealer injector cleaning service performed and saw any difference...that was my original questions. I just want to make sure my cars are always in prime condition that's all. I thought about new spark plugs...but my car only has 25.5K miles on it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2011, 10:35 PM	#17
santov Lieutenant 64 Rep 483 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0si White over Beige Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area, Calif iTrader: (8)	FYI: I changed my sparkplugs at 24k since I bought my car used. The old ones looked fine, but after I put new ones in the idle was much smoother. From Tisher or BavAuto they were big bucks, but only $6 from Kragen's. So for under $40 you can only improve throttle and idle. Don't forget a little anti-sieze on the threads.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2011, 07:30 PM	#20
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	Hi, My idles are not rough... I was more curious than anything. In non Sport mode, it seems a little slow...but it could be just the computer...I need to do the reset trick I believe... In non sport mode...which I don't drive in that much it seems fine. So I'm not sure if the spark plugs are needed. If I was keeping the car, I would get it chipped...but I wanted it stock and under warranty...so I never did anything with the car, other than put OEM strut bars. Far as alignments go, I've had several dealers say the same thing, that these cars needs to be preloaded before the alignment is done. I guess they fill up the car with sand bags or something and then do the alignment. I had a little vibration in the steering wheel above 70...I wasn't sure what the problem was...They told me $120 for balancing all 4 tires. I knew was getting robbed...but for me to go to my alignment guy and do it...it cost that much in my time...so I just paid the dealer to do it...seems fine now. There's a lot of upselling done everywhere...even my dentist does it...offer me a $35 fluoride rinse...did nothing for me...said it could be covered under insurance and billed me afterwards....needless to say I no longer go to that dentist. Far as the Service Advisers are concerned. The one I have in SoCAL is the best so far of the 3 places I've been. I don't recommended Bob Smith nor Valencia...in Los Angeles. Valencia fixed my car and I had to fix it myself afterwards.
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