Injector Cleaner?

Is it safe to use without damaging anything? And if it is, what kind and how much? I've heard it both ways. That it works great, but that it can eat rubber. Any advice on this would be helpful.

Hi Vixen,,, there are a couple of types of cleaners . First there is the type most folks are familiar with,,the tank additive. The important thing to understand is that continued use of this type of cleaner will cause intake valve deposits. This is common knowledge and the warnings can be found in most operators manuals supplied with newer cars. As with most things too much is not good ! Another point is that you get what you pay for, and a good cleaner such as techron cost as much as good booze . Thats what I,ve ben told anyway lol. The other method that works really well comes in a kit form with some fittings ,hose,and cleaner. It is attached to the fuel injection system and the engine runs on the cleaner solution alone. I would generally recommend taking it to a shop or dealer to have this done . The rubber part is not a real big problem as the fuel you run daily has cleaner in it .This is what cause the build up of deposits when an over zealous driver resorts to too much tank additive. The cleaner it self is the culprit ,,, too much cleaner too many deposits ! I hope this helps you a little .

Geo

4webers, it helped ALOT! Thanks for explaining it to me. I've heard so much, that I didn't know what was right for my baby.

|UPDATED|6/13/2002 8:43:17 PM|/UPDATED|

Your owners manual should state whether or not it's recommended to use. I know on my '87 GM does not recommend using injector cleaners. I've had it explained to me that inside the injector there are the electrical wires with coating on them. They have them routed through where the fuel goes for cooling. Supposedly the injector cleaner breaks down the coating on the wires causing the injectors to malfunction. I don't know what kind of injector design is on your '82 though. I've got the L98 engine (the one after the Cross-Fire) in my '87, and my '70 has a carb. Hope this helps. ~Juliet

I found Wynns injector cleaner (about $7 a can) works well. Don't bother with the $2 STP or Gumout. Joe

Now that I have some idea of what they do and don't do, I can make a good decision. I think the first thing would be is to have the injectors looked at, maybe cleaned. I'll have to ask around for a reputable shop that maybe someone in the club has dealt with. Other than the place in the valley that they all swear by. Not my gig.

|UPDATED|6/13/2002 8:42:50 PM|/UPDATED|

What is the general consensus? Use injector cleaner, or don't use it? Is Wynn's safe to use on carb engines?

Yea, now that we're confused really good on to use or not to use....hey, maybe someone can post a poll on this? Then maybe we can get a good reading on wheather to use it or not use it. I hate to use something that does any kind of damage. Say, the gasolines that claim to clean, do they work?