On my '86 240DL sedan with 281K miles on it, it was suggested I have the injectors cleaned with a multi-stage chemical cleaning system. I bought the car at 180K miles and it had been dealer serviced until then. Since then, I have added a bottle of injector cleaner to the gas tank at each oil change. I don't feel that I have any problems, but living with this car so long, I might be able to get better service from my injectors if they were cleaned maybe I should just leave well enough alone. Any suggestions as a preventive measure would be very helpful....I have always kept up on everything that needs to be done with my ride........

Thanks, XrayBob.

My instructor in fuel injection and engine management course was certain that genuine Toyota injector cleaner is the best on the market. I mix 1 litre cleaner with 1 litre unleaded and run it in separate container before fuel pump until used up, then reconnect to tank. Also remove throttle body and clean with unleaded petrol only, this will give smooth idle and smoother running.

No additive that you add to your fuel tank will properly clean the injectors if they have developed deposits. Remember, there are plenty of detergents and additives in modern gas such that whatever deposits may be there interfering with the spray pattern are going to be highly resistant to the modest chemical action of these cleaners. If you do have a problem with your injectors (you can take them out and look at the spray pattern yourself), the best thing to do would be to take them to a shop to get them pressure flushed. If you have an air compressor you can do a search for instructions on how to do it at home. But it's not too expensive to do a pressure flush, I think maybe $50 for the whole set. If you are having problems it can really restore your brick to its old glory.

It's only something to be concerned with if you have specific problems with mileage or power that aren't helped by other measures. It's not a preventative maintenance item.

Unless you have drivability problems, probably don't need their service.
What injector cleaner have you been using?? Some are only marginally effective.

Best I know of are AMSOIL PI and BG 44K. Techron is also good-but there are several blends (or at least labels).

Unless the car is showing driveability or fuel economy problems which can't be cleared up with maintenance/tune-up items as mentioned by the others, I'd pass on the cleaning service. My experience with it (from a good quality shop) was negative - no improvement in how the engine felt, but fuel economy dropped a little. Of course YMMV.

Chevron's Techron has plenty of supporters on this and other BB's. I've tried it - didn't seem to make things better, but maybe it stopped them from going bad....

Under the heading of 'Stuff That Works But Costs Plenty' is the option of removing the injectors and having them cleaned by a specialist such as RC Engineering in LA. $25 per injector plus shipping. This will give you like-new units, with new seals and pintle caps
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

if it's a motorvac or a bg service, it might be worth your while. it not only does the injectors but the valves and pistons, too. it MIGHT include an induction service, which also would be worthwhile. that cleans the intake runners and, supposedly the throttle body. best way to tell is put a vacuum gauge on the car at idle and at 2500 rpm-note the readings. if things are good and there are NO OTHER PROBLEMS, it should be 18-21" on the gauge. lower, get the service and do the vacuum test again. if the service helped, the vacuum will be better and you might get a coupla mpg, too. i've done it on a few cars that had slight problems at idle that cleaned up about time the service stopped. and so it goes, chuck.

Being a big fan of Stuff That Works, I only use Techron FI cleaner. It's a fuel additive and it seems to actually make a difference.
There are about a million other fuel additives and I've certainly not tried them all... I hear a lot of reports of snake oil from independent sources and most of the stuff is expensive for it's supposed benefit. Yes Volvos can get deposits in their injectors as most any other car, but they don't seem particularly susceptible to it- many of the high mileage injected cars have NEVER had these things serviced. Certainly the injectors are good for many many miles of reliable service.
If you're having some kind of drivability problems, by all means, try it. A fuel additive won't hurt, in my opinion. But other factors are more important:
tuneup parts, vacuum and intake leaks, condition of the O2 sensor, a dirty air or fuel filter, a bad fuel pressure regulator, or a plugged or failed cat have much greater effects on performance and emissions.
At the shop I worked at, a 20-oz. bottle of Techron was standard equipment with each tuneup. Recommended every 25K-30K miles... YMMV.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

I noticed the parts department of my local Volvo dealer stocks Techron. I have had good results with it also.
--
Paul NW Indiana '89 740 Turbo 110,000

I ,too, use Techron and it seems fine. Have you folks used Sea Foam as a fuel additive? We also have a Ford Explorer and the tech for that said that it's great.

I am not affiliated with either of these products.

Just wondering,

steve