Injector Cleaning

[willie]

I find it interesting that NASCAR is now advertising that they use an alcohol blend. Also interesting that more motors have blown up recently than I remember seeing previously, but haven't heard one word or complaint from any team owner or driver. It's like they are being paid to shut up about it.

Alcohol is a good race fuel if the fuel management is programmed for it. If the engine is carbureted, the main jets have to be drilled way out. The more alcohol you use, the worse the mpg. I'm surprised about NASCAR since pit stops, or lack of, is so important.

 

[Gilligan]

Alcohol is a good race fuel if the fuel management is programmed for it. If the engine is carbureted, the main jets have to be drilled way out. The more alcohol you use, the worse the mpg. I'm surprised about NASCAR since pit stops, or lack of, is so important.

Because of a couple factors, the biggest simply being what you mentioned regarding the fuel volumetric flow rate increasing so much, alcohol results in cooler combustion chamber temps for the same HP as gasoline. So alcohol fuel inhibits piston meltdowns.

That and alcohol has intrinsically a higher effective 'octane' rating too.

 

[bcp]

Advance Auto. $97 each. I just could not see spending over $800 for injectors that *might* improve the performance.

Part # 67166

Cheapest I found mine were from 350 to 400 each.

 

[bcp]

I've seen a couple different tech articles that analyzed and discussed the (detrimental) effects of ethanol and other additives on engine efficiency or fuel consumption. I'd have to google search to find them again..but they are out there.

mostly the seals and rings that are eaten up by it right?

 

[GWguy]

Because of a couple factors, the biggest simply being what you mentioned regarding the fuel volumetric flow rate increasing so much, alcohol results in cooler combustion chamber temps for the same HP as gasoline. So alcohol fuel inhibits piston meltdowns.

That and alcohol has intrinsically a higher effective 'octane' rating too.

I was always led to believe that the more alcohol you put in the fuel, the more damage you can do to the motor, meltdown aside. And I'm not referring to the plastic carb parts and such, thinking more of increased piston and valve blow-by and wash down.

I'll have to do some more research on that.

 

[GWguy]

Cheapest I found mine were from 350 to 400 each.

Diesel vs gas? :shrug:

 

[Gilligan]

I was always led to believe that the more alcohol you put in the fuel, the more damage you can do to the motor, meltdown aside. And I'm not referring to the plastic carb parts and such, thinking more of increased piston and valve blow-by and wash down.

I'll have to do some more research on that.

Not that I've ever noticed..and I've run alcohol-fueled 'race' engines (BB Fords) for years in mud boggers and the odd boat. Of course, lets face it..we are not talking about 'long lived' engines in that case either.

 

[bcp]

Diesel vs gas? :shrug:

I guess, other than the rail pressure I dont see that much difference in them

 

[Merlin99]

Advance Auto. $97 each. I just could not see spending over $800 for injectors that *might* improve the performance.

Part # 67166

You can also have your stock injectors serviced and tested considerably cheaper.
Fuel Injector Cleaning and Testing

 

[GWguy]

You can also have your stock injectors serviced and tested considerably cheaper.
Fuel Injector Cleaning and Testing

Also a good option. However, it had better be same-day turnaround or I'd have to buy new ones anyway! Don't think I could be without my primary vehicle waiting on a mail-order process.

I'm sure there are some places local that could do that.

 

[dave1959]

My mpg has dropped off. When brand new, car got 32-33 commuting. Then it went to 30. Now I am getting 25-27. If I set the cruise at 56 I can eek out 29. Car has 153K miles on it. New plugs. I usually run WaWa gas. Do any of the over the counter "dump it in the tank" cleaners actually work? How about the auto shop cleaners? Any other ideas on what I can do to up my mpg (other than slowing down)?

BG 44K...Run it down to about a 1/4 tank, add 1 can and run it till almost empty, fill-up
with "real" gas and add another can. If its an injector problem you will see a difference before your next fill-up.

 

[Merlin99]

BG 44K...Run it down to about a 1/4 tank, add 1 can and run it till almost empty, fill-up
with "real" gas and add another can. If its an injector problem you will see a difference before your next fill-up.

I'm guessing that this is the banged up vehicle and probably no longer an issue.

 

[smilin]

I'm guessing that this is the banged up vehicle and probably no longer an issue.

Try "Lucas" brand injector cleaner at Auto Zone. I usually put some in every 5000 miles or so. Keeps my mileage up there.
I have also noticed the drop in mileage between the Ethanol mix and gas.

 

[willie]

This warm weather has put my mpg back up where it should be.

 

[huntr1]

I'm guessing that this is the banged up vehicle and probably no longer an issue.

True, original question was in regards to my dear departed Focus. However, with 2 other vehicles with 100K plus miles, they can proabably stand a cleaning too.