Fuel system cleaners?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
From: Grand Island - Nebraska
Fuel system cleaners?
My 1992 is probably due for some kind of fuel system cleansing. Does anyone have suggestions as to what kind of fuel system cleaners to use? Thanks Forum!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I'd send them off to be tested and cleaned. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. Actually, since they are original and Multecs, I'd just dump them for Bosch III. I don't throw good money after bad by trying to clean injectors with "cleaner in a can". IIRC, FIC does it for $15 per injector.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
There is NO point in spending $200 and a day of your time to repair/clean what is well known to be junk to start with, when you CAN buy new technology Bosch-III injectors, all the rail O-rings AND the runner/plenum gaskets for $250 or LESS !
Besides, nobody rebuilds/cleans Muletics....they use them as fishing weights.
Then, you don't need fuel system cleaner. With Corvettes there are FEW repairs in a bottle that will do anything... When you feel like you need the fuel system cleaned, that means you need fuel system repairs. Pumps, injectors, regulators all are wear parts.
To do some fuel system maintenance you can add a few oz of Marvel Mystery oil to the gas. This will loosen gum & varnish and lube the valves and injectors. The car will respond by running better for a few thousand miles. The cheap blended fuels of today will eventually leave their trademark deposits again and gum up the works. Regular use of MM or similar top end lubes will prevent damage to seals and O-rings.
I add a qt of MM 100 miles before oil changes and flush out all form of goo from the engine. It does make a difference in the gas as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
they use them as fishing weights.
Then, you don't need fuel system cleaner. With Corvettes there are FEW repairs in a bottle that will do anything... When you feel like you need the fuel system cleaned, that means you need fuel system repairs. Pumps, injectors, regulators all are wear parts.
Then, you don't need fuel system cleaner. With Corvettes there are FEW repairs in a bottle that will do anything... When you feel like you need the fuel system cleaned, that means you need fuel system repairs. Pumps, injectors, regulators all are wear parts.
Pumps tend to last quite a bit. I changed mine because I wanted more fuel and the pump was getting old. Regulator, when it breaks or the spring gets weak, time to send it off to the circular file. As to injectors, I send mine out for cleaning every 3 years. ATVs, Jetskis, Motorcycles and Cars. For my diesel truck and car, every 100K. This way I know how long they can last under normal conditions before they need to be cleaned.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
There is NO point in spending $200 and a day of your time to repair/clean what is well known to be junk to start with, when you CAN buy new technology Bosch-III injectors, all the rail O-rings AND the runner/plenum gaskets for $250 or LESS !
Besides, nobody rebuilds/cleans Muletics....they use them as fishing weights.
Then, you don't need fuel system cleaner. With Corvettes there are FEW repairs in a bottle that will do anything... When you feel like you need the fuel system cleaned, that means you need fuel system repairs. Pumps, injectors, regulators all are wear parts.
To do some fuel system maintenance you can add a few oz of Marvel Mystery oil to the gas. This will loosen gum & varnish and lube the valves and injectors. The car will respond by running better for a few thousand miles. The cheap blended fuels of today will eventually leave their trademark deposits again and gum up the works. Regular use of MM or similar top end lubes will prevent damage to seals and O-rings.
I add a qt of MM 100 miles before oil changes and flush out all form of goo from the engine. It does make a difference in the gas as well.
The old Multecs don't seem to like the cool new fuels we use these days. Mine went out pretty hard and it's fairly common. No real use trying to clean them.
I would just go ahead and do a nice big tune on it:
Spark plugs and wires
Injectors
Fuel filter
In-tank fuel filter (that stupid sock is generally plretty deteriorated. I would order a new one)
New injectors
Full oil flush
Full coolant flush
Trans fluid and filter
If you want to go a little further, I can suggest the following as well:
Fuel pump (it is probably fine)
Fuel pressure regulator (is usually okay, smell the vacuum tube. If there is gas replace it)
Distro cap/rotor (look for pitts and burns)
You can do the TPS and IACV too. But they are pretty stable.
Also, do a thorough check of the entire wireing harness. You never know what might come up.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I gave mine to a local tuner for cleaning. They flow tested them, cleaned them and flow tested again. They read exactly the same before and after cleaning.
I've heard that the gasoline suppliers put "magic stuff" in their gasoline to clean the injectors and anything you add is a waste of money. I've never seen any difference "before" vs. "after" with various cleaners I've used.
That said, I've seen several posts that reported that the fuel gauge started working better after adding Techron fuel injector cleaner to the tank. Apparently deposits build up on the fuel level sender. I solved my C5 "fuel level goes to empty" problem by NOT using Arco gas (the station is very close to me so it was convenient to go there).
I've heard that the gasoline suppliers put "magic stuff" in their gasoline to clean the injectors and anything you add is a waste of money. I've never seen any difference "before" vs. "after" with various cleaners I've used.
That said, I've seen several posts that reported that the fuel gauge started working better after adding Techron fuel injector cleaner to the tank. Apparently deposits build up on the fuel level sender. I solved my C5 "fuel level goes to empty" problem by NOT using Arco gas (the station is very close to me so it was convenient to go there).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I gave mine to a local tuner for cleaning. They flow tested them, cleaned them and flow tested again. They read exactly the same before and after cleaning.
I've heard that the gasoline suppliers put "magic stuff" in their gasoline to clean the injectors and anything you add is a waste of money. I've never seen any difference "before" vs. "after" with various cleaners I've used.
That said, I've seen several posts that reported that the fuel gauge started working better after adding Techron fuel injector cleaner to the tank. Apparently deposits build up on the fuel level sender. I solved my C5 "fuel level goes to empty" problem by NOT using Arco gas (the station is very close to me so it was convenient to go there).
I've heard that the gasoline suppliers put "magic stuff" in their gasoline to clean the injectors and anything you add is a waste of money. I've never seen any difference "before" vs. "after" with various cleaners I've used.
That said, I've seen several posts that reported that the fuel gauge started working better after adding Techron fuel injector cleaner to the tank. Apparently deposits build up on the fuel level sender. I solved my C5 "fuel level goes to empty" problem by NOT using Arco gas (the station is very close to me so it was convenient to go there).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
From: Grand Island - Nebraska
I have had this Corvette for a couple of years. From the sounds of the Forum, I should go with some new parts. The Bosch injectors seem to be the consensus. How many lbs would be appropriate? I wouldn't mind a little more performance of course!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
I'd get a stock reman set unless you are tuning the ECM, in which case, the tuner will tell you what to get.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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Old injectors are like old tennis shoes; you can buy new laces, and new insoles, but they still beat up.
Buy new injectors.
Buy new injectors.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
There is NO point in spending $200 and a day of your time to repair/clean what is well known to be junk to start with, when you CAN buy new technology Bosch-III injectors, all the rail O-rings AND the runner/plenum gaskets for $250 or LESS !
Besides, nobody rebuilds/cleans Muletics....they use them as fishing weights.
Then, you don't need fuel system cleaner. With Corvettes there are FEW repairs in a bottle that will do anything... When you feel like you need the fuel system cleaned, that means you need fuel system repairs. Pumps, injectors, regulators all are wear parts.
To do some fuel system maintenance you can add a few oz of Marvel Mystery oil to the gas. This will loosen gum & varnish and lube the valves and injectors. The car will respond by running better for a few thousand miles. The cheap blended fuels of today will eventually leave their trademark deposits again and gum up the works. Regular use of MM or similar top end lubes will prevent damage to seals and O-rings.
I add a qt of MM 100 miles before oil changes and flush out all form of goo from the engine. It does make a difference in the gas as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Dixie...
The forum rule of thumb regarding fuel injectors
is ..."call Jon"
You will see some questions and the only response will be to.....
....Call Jon.
FIC is the gold standard for parts and service. Jon is the expert and can talk you thru mods and upgrades concerning fuel injection. he's good people. Look for his youtube videos on injectors and servicing. Very informative.
The forum rule of thumb regarding fuel injectors
is ..."call Jon"
You will see some questions and the only response will be to.....
....Call Jon.
FIC is the gold standard for parts and service. Jon is the expert and can talk you thru mods and upgrades concerning fuel injection. he's good people. Look for his youtube videos on injectors and servicing. Very informative.