Do you regularly use fuel injector cleaners on your M3?

**Donovan** · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 03:55:24 AM

Hrmmms

emax13 · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 03:56:11 AM

Most name brand gas contains detergents.

I would not use unless you had to do a few fill ups at no name stations.

lorkar · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 03:59:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedM3/4

Re: self-cleaning injectors: Ovens have been self-cleaning since the 70s, tranny's have lifetime oil, and I've got some swampland in FL.
I use Techron from time to time. It is the product sold by VW, BMW, and others, and I've had *amazing* results from it in a couple of instances.
If you over use it, I know one very respected mechanic that claims his own over-use caused leaking injectors. I think a bottle every 10k is good, but check the bottle, AND, this is NOT a replacement for fuel filter changes or any other normal maint.
ADS

I've been working on Cars for a living since the early 80ies. The only failed injectors I've seen are ones that sat for a very long time. Those in use, U can count on one hand the amout of actual failed injectors I had to replace because it was clogged.

If you want to spend money on injector cleaner knock yourself out. I challenge that money is better spent on beer.

RedM3/4 · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 05:07:41 AM

Clogged versus spraying efficiently is two ends of the spectrum. I am trainalbe. Show me engineering drawings of how this supposed self-cleaning works (I'm an engineer, I can understand the drawings) and if it looks foolproof, I'll concede my error, which I've done in other threads when it occurs. I've got a few years on you working on autos, and have worked in the machine tool industry on all sorts of servos, motor controls, hydraulic units, on and on. Again, I'm trainable, not looking to have a major arguement.
As stated, I've seen remarkable real world results using techron in a couple of cases.
Buying perfect gasoline and doing perfect fuel filter changes is probably the most effective, but we live in an imperfect world, not that techron or any additive will reverse long-term neglect. But the cost to do this every 10k miles or so is a rounding error.
ADS

**Donovan** · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 05:43:14 AM

subscribed

pmskreta · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 04:07:11 PM

I used the Redline SI-1 at 45K. Drove to Huntington Beach, CA. from Las Vegas. I did it as maintenance as I didn't have any problems with the car. I got slightly better fuel economy on the trip. i plan on putting in a bottle at every oil change going forward. I only use Chevron Super Unleaded.

nwthunder · Fri, Jan-08-2010, 04:09:00 PM

I did at my service II

Kaveh · Wed, Jan-20-2010, 10:20:47 PM

From what I see and logically nothing can be less harmless than ultrasonically cleaning the fuel injectors. Assuming that the injectors after are the same as before and are not replaced with new ones. Look at the difference before and after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_zWDvCjbu0

jph28 · Thu, Jan-21-2010, 12:48:53 AM

I had a failed injector last week at 48k miles. I hadn't read of these failures before - uncommon for the E46 M3?

kaiv · Thu, Jan-21-2010, 12:59:13 AM

I've used BMW's fuel system cleaner once. The bottle looks just like the techron or whatever it is. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same product with a different label. I didn't feel a difference though, car runs good anyway but I guess it cannot hurt at my mileage (100k+).

Fri, Jan-08-2010, 03:56:11 AM	#12
emax13 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 655 Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	Most name brand gas contains detergents. I would not use unless you had to do a few fill ups at no name stations. __________________ '06 CB/IR w/SMG/NAV/HK/Eibach/19" BBS RGR/Hankooks

Fri, Jan-08-2010, 05:07:41 AM	#14
RedM3/4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,281 Reputation: 0	Clogged versus spraying efficiently is two ends of the spectrum. I am trainalbe. Show me engineering drawings of how this supposed self-cleaning works (I'm an engineer, I can understand the drawings) and if it looks foolproof, I'll concede my error, which I've done in other threads when it occurs. I've got a few years on you working on autos, and have worked in the machine tool industry on all sorts of servos, motor controls, hydraulic units, on and on. Again, I'm trainable, not looking to have a major arguement. As stated, I've seen remarkable real world results using techron in a couple of cases. Buying perfect gasoline and doing perfect fuel filter changes is probably the most effective, but we live in an imperfect world, not that techron or any additive will reverse long-term neglect. But the cost to do this every 10k miles or so is a rounding error. ADS __________________ 98 M3/4, Supersprint catback, UUC red tranny mounts, Rogue SS w/UUC dual selector rod, wired V1. Sold to my son, still in the family! 06 SMG/ZCP - April 09, Dinan over Konis, RAC RG63, homelink with off-delay (working), multifunction steering wheel buttons, RacingBrake Front kit.

Fri, Jan-08-2010, 04:07:11 PM	#16
pmskreta Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 94 Reputation: 0 Location: Las Vegas	I used the Redline SI-1 at 45K. Drove to Huntington Beach, CA. from Las Vegas. I did it as maintenance as I didn't have any problems with the car. I got slightly better fuel economy on the trip. i plan on putting in a bottle at every oil change going forward. I only use Chevron Super Unleaded. __________________ 2004 M3: Redline 10W40, P/S Fluid, D4 ATF, 75W140, Water Wetter, SI-1 1974 2002: Redline 10W40, MTL 70W80, 75W90 + friction modifier, Water Wetter, SI-1

Fri, Jan-08-2010, 04:09:00 PM	#17
nwthunder Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 180 Reputation: 0 Location: Seattle	I did at my service II __________________ TT 04.5 Cummins 03.5 E46 M

Wed, Jan-20-2010, 10:20:47 PM	#18
Kaveh Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 373 Reputation: 0 Location: Toronto / London (UK)	From what I see and logically nothing can be less harmless than ultrasonically cleaning the fuel injectors. Assuming that the injectors after are the same as before and are not replaced with new ones. Look at the difference before and after. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_zWDvCjbu0 __________________ '01 TiAg/Grey M3 Vert ::: 6MT ::: LEDs ::: CWP ::: 19" CSL (current) '01 LSB/Grey M3 Coupe ::: 6MT ::: CWP ::: 19" (Sold) '01 Imola/Black Vert ::: 6MT ::: CWP ::: 19" (Sold) '04 TiAg/Black M3 ::: SMG ::: NAV ::: Cold weather Package ::: PDC (Sold)

Fri, Jan-08-2010, 03:55:24 AM	#11
Donovan Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,731 Reputation: 0 Location: D.C. , Germany	Hrmmms

Fri, Jan-08-2010, 05:43:14 AM	#15
Donovan Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,731 Reputation: 0 Location: D.C. , Germany	subscribed

Thu, Jan-21-2010, 12:48:53 AM	#19
jph28 Chin 3/3 @ VIR Full Join Date: Mar 2008 Age: 29 Posts: 6,282 In the garage: '12 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Chapel Hill, NC	I had a failed injector last week at 48k miles. I hadn't read of these failures before - uncommon for the E46 M3? __________________ 2004 SilverGrey 6MT 2012 VW JSW TDI 6MT Past - '91 Saab 900TC / '98 M3 / '06 WRX / '98 ITR / '88 Saab 9000T

Thu, Jan-21-2010, 12:59:13 AM	#20
kaiv SoCal vanos/valve specialist :D Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5,312 Reputation: 0 Location: san diego	I've used BMW's fuel system cleaner once. The bottle looks just like the techron or whatever it is. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same product with a different label. I didn't feel a difference though, car runs good anyway but I guess it cannot hurt at my mileage (100k+). __________________ AW S65 E92 6MT past: AW S65 E90 6MT- LSB S54 E46 6MT- JB S52 E36 5MT Kaiv's SoCal Feedback! [M3Forum] [iTrader] [Bimmerforum]

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