Fuel injection cleaner went wrong...
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Fuel injection cleaner went wrong...
I bought a '89 C4 about a month ago and a week or so ago i bought some fuel injection cleaner for it. i put it in and ever since then (even on another tank of gas) the engine will randomly shut off, even while i'm driving. Before I put it in the car had been running great without any problems at all (except the bolts for the hard top keep coming loose). Does anyone know what the problem might be?
also, my car usually idles at around 500-600rpm, is that normal?
also, my car usually idles at around 500-600rpm, is that normal?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
What exact product did you use? Did you put it in the tank or directly into the rail?
Anybody know if 89 has the Multecs or Bosch injectors?
Anybody know if 89 has the Multecs or Bosch injectors?
'89 has Multecs I do believe. It sounds like your fuel pump may be going out, but I dont see how the injector cleaner could have caused it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
If this stuff is really good at removing varnish and crud, you might need to change your fuel filter.
the filter or one of the injectors could be clogged by debris. Replace the filter first though, its like $12.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 195
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From: Glen Carbon IL
89 has Multec's for the injectors, trash those things and get some new ones. Even if it is not the problem now, it will be the problem later. I do not speak from experience, I speak from already dropping the money so I would not end up standed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
Somewhat doubt the cleaner has anything to do with it. Intermittent stalls are a challenge and often lead to a lot of new and unnecessary parts, so you might start by getting something to capture some data with. A basic scan will at least show you if it's rich or lean, but I've got a feeling it's losing an important signal somewhere - either air (MAF) or fuel - reference from the distributor and without that, the injectors won't fire so it stalls just like you turned the key off. For 30 Bucks, I would try a new Module, but get some data first. With that, you can also know if the idle is within specs which are +/- 50 rpms from Targeted in Drive; +/- 100 rpms in Park/Neutral.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Never know, if it was really bad and the sludge got in the injectors or filter, then anything could happen... but i agree, filter first, then check the injectors, there are a bunch of posts and tech tips on how to test individual injectors. Go from there
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
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From: sw Ohio
There is a test I used on my '87 Lesabre to test the injectors. It was in the Helms manual. You take a screwdriver or similar tool and place the tip on the injector, you should feel it ticking or clicking while the engine is running. If not then it may be a bad injector. Its always good to hook it up to a computer and scan though to make sure.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 329
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From: Antioch California
Originally Posted by SunCr
Somewhat doubt the cleaner has anything to do with it. Intermittent stalls are a challenge and often lead to a lot of new and unnecessary parts, so you might start by getting something to capture some data with. A basic scan will at least show you if it's rich or lean, but I've got a feeling it's losing an important signal somewhere - either air (MAF) or fuel - reference from the distributor and without that, the injectors won't fire so it stalls just like you turned the key off. For 30 Bucks, I would try a new Module, but get some data first. With that, you can also know if the idle is within specs which are +/- 50 rpms from Targeted in Drive; +/- 100 rpms in Park/Neutral.
What he said. I would think your using the cleaner and the symptoms appearing are a bit of a co-wink-e-dink. I'm getting from your post that she starts back up after the stall at some point right? Good luck, Larry
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: CV ca
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by Harsh
89 has Multec's for the injectors, trash those things and get some new ones. Even if it is not the problem now, it will be the problem later. I do not speak from experience, I speak from already dropping the money so I would not end up standed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
probably a co-ink-e-dent 
but I'd do the filter like suggested.If that doesn't do it, you can have the ignition control module checked for FREE at Autozone, they need to run it through at least 10 cyles to get it hot, because they can test good until they get hot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by submariner87
I bought a '89 C4 about a month ago and a week or so ago i bought some fuel injection cleaner for it. i put it in and ever since then (even on another tank of gas) the engine will randomly shut off, even while i'm driving. Before I put it in the car had been running great without any problems at all (except the bolts for the hard top keep coming loose). Does anyone know what the problem might be?
also, my car usually idles at around 500-600rpm, is that normal?
also, my car usually idles at around 500-600rpm, is that normal?
Since you state you only had the car a month, you might have a bad connection/circuit somewhere that hasn't shown itself until now and the injector cleaner was just a coincidence.
As for the hard top...more than likely a targa top, unless it's a vert, the threads/bolts might have become worn over the years from frequent use. And your idle is fine.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1439131
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7
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thanks for all the replies, i'm went today to get the fuel filter changed but it was $75 and i only had like $85 to my name, so i'm going to wait until i get paid again.
i know that the injection cleaner might be a coincedence, but i mean it did it the very first time like 5 minutes after i put it in, thats why i figured it must have been the injection cleaner, it seems like it was just to close to be a coincedence.
the car runs fine when i keep the rpm's up over 1000, it's just when i'm going slow or at a light or something and it's idling that it shuts off.
i know that the injection cleaner might be a coincedence, but i mean it did it the very first time like 5 minutes after i put it in, thats why i figured it must have been the injection cleaner, it seems like it was just to close to be a coincedence.
the car runs fine when i keep the rpm's up over 1000, it's just when i'm going slow or at a light or something and it's idling that it shuts off.
Elite Torch Red Member
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I've always heard not to use fuel injection cleaner because of what happened to you. So I have to disagre on the coincidence. Same reason you don't ever flush your automatic tranny and if you wait too long to flush the cooling systems you can run into problems.
I would still do the filter as suggested, you can get a filter for like $10 and do it yourself. It's a pain, but can be done right in your driveway.
I would still do the filter as suggested, you can get a filter for like $10 and do it yourself. It's a pain, but can be done right in your driveway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
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From: Bergen County NJ
Charles Probst, in his book on Corvette fuel injection, states that the multecs expose the coils to the fuel for cooling and that certan types of fuel injector cleaners (the solvent variety) can degrade the insulation on the coil wires.
