fuel Injector Cleaning question
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Joined: Oct 2009
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fuel Injector Cleaning question
My 1990 L98 is idling rough. I'm thinking about using a 3M Fuel Injector Cleaning Kit on it. Has anyone had any experience with this kit? Any positive results, or is it a waste of time and money? I've already done plugs, wires, cap & rotor. Thanks...
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Cumming Ga
here is the Bulletin
http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pd...sb_05D-105.pdf
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks alot for this info. You probably saved me from making a BIG mistake. I ohm'd the injectors recently and got 16.9 - 17.2 readings on them. The engine was cold at the time. I can also feel them "pulsing" as the engine is running, so I assume they're injecting. I'm trying to figure out what I can do to make the engine idle more smoothly. I'm planning on checking all the vacuum hoses next to make sure I don't have any cracks, etc. I'm NOT going to start replacing good components. Thanks again.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
if you have gm mulecs that came stock they are not to be cleaned. You will ruin them. Here is a bulletin from AC Delco. Make sure you Ohm check them cold and hot to make sure they are in spec.. they should be 16ohms
here is the Bulletin
http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pd...sb_05D-105.pdf
here is the Bulletin
http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pd...sb_05D-105.pdf
Question, another member is having an issue with his plugs fouling I believe?
The PO put 24Lb injectors on what I believe to be a stock l98. What issues can the 24Lb injectors create, if any?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,060
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From: Tabernacle NJ
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
if you have gm mulecs that came stock they are not to be cleaned. You will ruin them. Here is a bulletin from AC Delco. Make sure you Ohm check them cold and hot to make sure they are in spec.. they should be 16ohms
here is the Bulletin
http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pd...sb_05D-105.pdf
here is the Bulletin
http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pd...sb_05D-105.pdf
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
I've used 3M cleaner through the rail on a couple of GM cars (including the Vette) - didn't do anything good - or bad for that matter. A cheapo set of Accels (injectors) did solve a hard cold start which was present from the Factory, but that's another story.
If you have a rough running '90, or a less than perfect idle; check #7 for a leaking head gasket. A known issue and a cylinder leak down test is the better way to check it out (though you can check compression). Otherwise, if you have the old plug, how did that electrode look compared to the others? Was there any rust on the plug threads? What's the coolant look like? If you have a scanner, check Block Learn - coolant will make it lean.
If you have a rough running '90, or a less than perfect idle; check #7 for a leaking head gasket. A known issue and a cylinder leak down test is the better way to check it out (though you can check compression). Otherwise, if you have the old plug, how did that electrode look compared to the others? Was there any rust on the plug threads? What's the coolant look like? If you have a scanner, check Block Learn - coolant will make it lean.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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Team, from my own experiance with both my cars and my outboards, it sounds to simple but before you spend serious cash, fill up with Chevron premium with Techron. Run two tanks. One the first tank or with whatever gas you have in the car now run a bottle of techron. You can buy it at parts stores or Wal-Mart. I know it sounds too simple and yes Shell, or Union 76 or any of the other quality fuels have cleaners. But I really it's isn't expensive use the Techron. If all you use is Chevron and your having injector problems I am going to bet there is another problem and not a dirty fuel system.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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I have done canister fuel inj. cleanings lots of times, it does work. But it won't bring back dead injectors. I've used BG 44, OTC cleaner, & Seafoam w/ the canister, the eng. is running on 100% cleaner, on V8s I like to do a double shot, use 2 cans b/c 1 it won't run to long. If you think you might have a plugged injector, try feeding alittle propane into a vacuum hose, if it smooths out you have a fuel problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
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From: Windermere FL
If you are after a smoother running engine, and increased gas milage, just replace the injectors with a set of flow matched Bosch Design-3 from Jon at FIC. My idle smoothed out, the engine sounded totally different (don't know why) and fuel milage when from 17 city to 24 and Hiway from 20 to 29!
I was shocked on how fuel injector technology has improved in 20 years.
I was shocked on how fuel injector technology has improved in 20 years.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
If you are after a smoother running engine, and increased gas milage, just replace the injectors with a set of flow matched Bosch Design-3 from Jon at FIC. My idle smoothed out, the engine sounded totally different (don't know why) and fuel milage when from 17 city to 24 and Hiway from 20 to 29!
I was shocked on how fuel injector technology has improved in 20 years.
I was shocked on how fuel injector technology has improved in 20 years.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,762
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From: Cumming Ga
There is no cure in a can. Period. These injectors get filled with small particles of carbon, this restricts the flow of injectors. Even if the coil is good, they just get mechanically sluggish. If you clean the injector (multec 1 only) you ruin the coil. It costs about 15 per injector to service. it cost 22 to get a new style injector that will not have any intolerance to the new fuels and best of all your car will run better. Kind of a no brainer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 830
Likes: 6
If you are after a smoother running engine, and increased gas milage, just replace the injectors with a set of flow matched Bosch Design-3 from Jon at FIC. My idle smoothed out, the engine sounded totally different (don't know why) and fuel milage when from 17 city to 24 and Hiway from 20 to 29!
I was shocked on how fuel injector technology has improved in 20 years.
I was shocked on how fuel injector technology has improved in 20 years.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
There is no cure in a can. Period. These injectors get filled with small particles of carbon, this restricts the flow of injectors. Even if the coil is good, they just get mechanically sluggish. If you clean the injector (multec 1 only) you ruin the coil. It costs about 15 per injector to service. it cost 22 to get a new style injector that will not have any intolerance to the new fuels and best of all your car will run better. Kind of a no brainer
And is it any good or bad to put in the fuel system treatment that removes water? I believe last time I used the STP stuff, but I usually use the Heat.
The STP stuff doesn't have alcohol. Where as the Heat stuff does.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 14
From: Cumming Ga
I wasn't really referring to cleaning the injectors. I see these things are supposed to clean other things in the fuel system other than fuel injectors. I just wondered if there were any benefit to have the rest of the system treated?
And is it any good or bad to put in the fuel system treatment that removes water? I believe last time I used the STP stuff, but I usually use the Heat.
The STP stuff doesn't have alcohol. Where as the Heat stuff does.
And is it any good or bad to put in the fuel system treatment that removes water? I believe last time I used the STP stuff, but I usually use the Heat.
The STP stuff doesn't have alcohol. Where as the Heat stuff does.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
So, is the alcohol water remover stuff bad to use then like the Heat? I've used that for years in my Firebird. I've also used the stuff in the yellow bottle that is by the Heat. Though, it may not even be needed, as I've never had any problems when I didn't use it. I just figured it wouldn't hurt to throw it in there every so often to help remove any possible moisture.
