How effective is the BG Fuel Injection System Cleaner service?
I have a 2007 Jeep Compass, manual shift with 40k miles. I’m pretty much currently getting the max EPA estimated average MPG (which is 28 hwy/26 city). My mechanic tried to sell me the BG Fuel Injection System Cleaner. I told them, "Not right now" and went home to do some research, but I can’t find much info from unbiased parties.
Will it boost my average miles per gallon? Are there other benefits to this service? Is this just a fuel additive/waste of money?
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2 comments
lexusry on November 28, 2010 at 9:57 am
it just a waste of money. your vehicle is way too new. i have seen jeep vehicles that have more than 150,000 miles and the valves still look clean after we do a headgasket repair. thanks to new technology, engine design and better gasoline are much better than the old days to prevent carbon deposit. even if the mechanic try to sell you the fuel injection cleaner, there is no proof that it does it job because he or you cannot see the valves. next time someone try to sell you this injection cleaning, ask him or her to see the valves that have carbon deposit build up. i guarantee you they will not have any proof.
Reagan '08 on November 28, 2010 at 9:57 am
It would be a waste of money to have them do it when it is likely that nothing needs done to your fuel system. If you can do it yourself or have a friend who knows a little about cars, do the following and it will likely (but only slightly) improve your power, fuel effinciency, and mpg.
1. Change the PCV valve every 10k-20k miles.
The PCV valve itself should cost you no more than $10-$20. This is the one way valve that allows one-way continual evacuation of gases from inside a crankcase. If this is not replaced or goes bad, you will have oil leaks and loss of pressure.
2. Use BG 44K once every 5k-10k miles.
All you do is add this to a full tank of gas and it safely, rapidly and thoroughly removes engine deposits in combustion chambers, intake manifolds, ports and on valves. It restores flow in fuel injectors and cleans the entire fuel system.
3. Clean the throttle body once every 30k miles.
This may be the trickiest thing of them all but it’s a box like shape with a round opening and a what I like to call "butterfly valve" that opens and allows air to flow through to the intake manifold when you press the accelerator. Ultimately, the air mixes with the gasoline and goes to the cylinders. Usually you can just buy a can of brake fluid and use q-tips and an old toothbrush to remove the dust and gunk that the valve collects for cleaning. There is throttle body cleaner but many dealerships recommend using brake fluid instead.
4. Make sure to change your air filter every 10k-15k miles.
This is for obvious reasons, you want to make sure that it removes all dust, dirt, and debris before being sent through the throttle body with the spray of fuel when you press on the accelerator.
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Overall, these are good precautionary steps to take to make sure you have a clean and healthy fuel system and you won’t have to worry about getting major work done like the guy insisted. He may actually be right, but it costs too much when you can do the 4 things I mentioned and totally clean it up to a healthy working fuel system.