Fuel Injector Service...

[Joe_GT]

Hi Everyone,
I was curious about when I should get my fuel injectors cleaned. My feeling is that when the acceleration performance is noticably diminished, then I should have the injectors serviced. Is this the correct approach? The dealer schedules service at 15,000 miles for fuel injector cleaning and at that time I didn't notice any decrease in performance. My 2004 SR5 now has about 30,000 miles on it and the performance still seems pretty good. Cleaning the fuel injectors isn't cheap either!! It would be great to hear some feedback about this from some of you.
Thanks... Joe

 

[Mashimaru]

I would stick to the 15k cleaning just to make sure everything is running nice and clean.

How much are they charging you on the injector cleaning at your dealer? My dealer only charged me $30 at my 15k service a while back ago.

 

[greasefingers]

They must be dumping something in your gas tank for only $ 30.

 

[Joe_GT]

The dealer is saying it will cost $350 to clean the fuel injectors. So this is not cheap at all. This is not the cheaper fuel additive option. So I am wonering if they are trying to scam me, or if it is worthwhile. Has anone had full fuel injector service at 30K miles or sooner?? I am just trying to feel this out.

Thanks for the replys so far. I appreciate your feedback.

 

[alotawatts]

Even the $350 service -

Even the $350 service -
is an onboard cleaning process which really is not that great.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Waste of Money!!!!

There is absolutely no mention of a requirement for "Fuel Injector Service" in the scheduled maintenance guide that came with your 4Runner. All Fuels contain detergent additives to help keep fuel systems clean. I hate all the BS services the Stealerships try to force on customers. If there was a requirement for it the Toyota engineers would have put it in the Guide. As long as you follow the Guide (Even if you do all the maintenance yourself) and keep records they can not void any warranty and your 4Runner will last just as long as the guy spending $300-$600 for the BS "Dealership recommended" services every 15k miles. If you are worried about it buy a $6-$9 bottle of Fuel System Cleaner not just Fuel Injector Cleaner and dump it in the tank every time you change the oil. The money you save on the BS services could be spent on Synthetic Oils for your Runner, and you would still be thousands ahead.:soapbox:

My 04 has almost 43000 miles and I have noticed NO Reduction in performance and it has NEVER seen the inside of a stealership service department for scheduled maintenance. And I hope it never will. I do everything myself.

 

[greasefingers]

IMO fuel injectors are one of the best components on any vehicle. I never add anything to my gas tank or motor oil

 

[Larry]

If you don't accept the dealer's fuel injector service you could be hurting their sales for that day. If you dealer has a lot of these kind of service deals.....run.

Here is what I use in the gas Fuel Power. Call Jeff, the owner of the company and he can answer your questions. There are a lot of products out there but this one is reasonably cheap and with a lot of fleet expereince has proven it to be cost effective. Gentle lubrication and cleaning as you drive is the answer to protecting the fuel system. Shock treatments are risky. Your dealer has to get you in and out, quickly or he does not make any money. So his opinion is a little skewed.

 

[coldbivy]

That is a waste of money. If it isn't in you're manual, then the dealer is screwing you. (Note to all of the guillible types out there: this is true for every dealer "recommended" service. As in -- we recommend you give us 300 bucks -- we may even actually do the cleaning.)

Now the service isn't totally useless, just unnecessary for a vehicle with low mileage. If you're using crappy gasoline, you might look into getting them cleaned somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Better gasoline blends have enough detergents in them to keep your injectors clean indefinitely.

 

[NCSCOTT]

That is a waste of money. If it isn't in you're manual, then the dealer is screwing you. (Note to all of the guillible types out there: this is true for every dealer "recommended" service. As in -- we recommend you give us 300 bucks -- we may even actually do the cleaning.)

Now the service isn't totally useless, just unnecessary for a vehicle with low mileage. If you're using crappy gasoline, you might look into getting them cleaned somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Better gasoline blends have enough detergents in them to keep your injectors clean indefinitely.

:iagree: :dammit:

 

[kimboy]

I had the fuel injector service done at 35K and I like what it's done to my engine. I usually pour a can of fuel injector cleaner in the tank after each oil change (I used to use regular grade gas), but, I don't think that did anything.

Even though I'm a skeptic when it comes to the dealer, I highly recommend the BG products/equipment they use.

If you've ever owned a Maxima 00-03? you'd know that the service is a life saver.

FYI, the fuel injector service should be performed before changing out the plugs.

Also, look for BG products on ebay and online.

http://www.bgprod.com