Usefullness of injector cleaning

[Schurkey]

I understand that the 3.4 fuel injectors have a unique spray pattern; I'm wondering if they have any tendency to clog or otherwise foul.

My Luminas run ok; at 120K and 140K they're probably down on power from when they were new--but not a lot. They are getting harder to start when cold, though. While that may be battery related more than fuel related; I do begin to wonder if a proper fuel injection cleaning is in order.

1. Have any of you had a REAL injector cleaning service performed;
2. Did it "fix" a problem or just lighten your wallet; and
3. Do you know what procedure was followed?
4. Any of you do injection cleaning professionally? Tips or recommendations???

Specifically, I'm after more than just "dumping ten ounces of schlubba in the gas tank and driving around"--unless--doing that made some major difference in the way your vehicle ran.

I'm expecting that a proper cleaning will use professional-grade solvent applied to the fuel rail while the fuel pump is disconnected or bypassed. Do you know what brand of solvent was used; and who made the equipment to perform the service?

I'm looking primarily at the OTC equipment; I think I can buy the tools outright for about the same cost as having my three high-mileage vehicles cleaned at a shop if I'm able to fabricate a few adapters.

[GTP091]

-The mechanics I know that have talked about the bottles say the cleaner-in-a-can only works if you use it all the time and won't do very much to clean real dirty injectors. Ive never heard of anybody have good or bad results getting it done in a shop. I use injector cleaner on my truck often as the guy before me used it all the time and it's cheap anyway.

[HayesPerformance]

I have the real injector flush unit and if you do all your own work I would recommend it highly. If you have any questions about any of the steps, etc. feel free to ask.

With almost every vehicle I have done, you wouldn't believe how smooth the engine runs after. BUT you have to use a good quality commercial flush kit, otherwise you will have poor results.

I buy the cemicals in bulk if you decide to buy that flush machine and need them. There are three different ones you use in steps, when you perform the flush.

[Schurkey]

I have the real injector flush unit and if you do all your own work I would recommend it highly. If you have any questions about any of the steps, etc. feel free to ask.

Yup, I'm asking!

What brand of equipment do you use? It seems to me that there are several companies that make injector cleaning equipment; but many more that SELL the stuff. OTC is looking good to me, Star Products makes a comparable unit. 3M has an aerosol device that looks like it should sell for $60 instead of the $360 price I see advertised. ATD and Lisle and many others seem to sell re-packaged OTC or Star equipment; and the price isn't any better than the name brands. Standard Products sells a "Cleen" kit; again the price is high.

What brand of solvent(s) do you use? OTC sells their own injector cleaner, and their own decarbonizer fluid; so far as I know GM Top Engine Cleaner diluted in gasoline is what the GM dealerships use. At least they used to use Top Engine Cleaner years ago, and that's probably what I'd use unless I hear of a better way.

If you're talking multi-step process, I assume that the steps include injector cleaning, throttle body cleaning, and internal-intake-manifold-and-valves cleaning. Is that correct?

[Alxsmt]

i just send mine to these guys http://www.rceng.com/

[Rhedalert]

I sent mine to WitchHunter for their full service. They saved two injectors which weren't spraying correctly. I highly recommend them. All 6 injectors are still on the car, with about 50k miles since the cleaning.

Take a look at the flow sheet they included:

http://60degreev6.com/forum/f97/witchhunter-injector-cleaning-results-t34659

[HayesPerformance]

Schurkey

The fuel service flush machine I have is way better then the OTC one.

The one I use is KENVO Technology's FSE 130

Its the very best, and easiest to use of any I've seen...
There web site is www.kenvo.com

I am very close friends with the president & owner of the company Ken Fowler, if your interested in any of their products call them and ask for Ken and tell him David told you to talk to him.

He can also arrange for you to buy the commercial cemicals as well

[IsaacHayes]

I wouldn't know, mine have over 215k on them, car runs fine.... LOL. They get a good "work out" all the time though. The intake valves looked like new when I had the intake off FWIW.