Car Service - Asking if I Want a Fuel Injection Clean, Do I?

TheBean on 03/09/2019 - 13:19

So I'm getting my car serviced and they said that my car needs a fuel injection servicing.

I haven't really noticed anything, but they said that there's a slight feeling of unstable flow and these injectors get blocked and dirty over time. They said it's not a safety issue, only that it can lead to being less fuel efficient.

They want $200 for the servicing, but wondering if I really need this or can just buy fuel injector cleaner from repco or supercheap.

Am I missing anything and should get it checked out properly? Seems like a money grab.

Cheers

Automotive Car Service

Comments

  • dcep on 03/09/2019 - 13:25
    -1

    No. Save the $200 and pump e10 for couple of tanks.

    • weezlebub on 03/09/2019 - 14:31
      +8

      instead of e10, run a few tanks of premium

      • EightImmortals on 03/09/2019 - 15:40
        +1

        My car runs like crap on E10. But 98 (Caltex Vortex, or Shell) works fine and is supposed to have cleaning additives in it.

  • Dc80 on 03/09/2019 - 13:31
    +10

    No. Go and buy some injector cleaner from somewhere like Supercheap and add it when you fill up with fuel. You'd probably get change out of $10.

  • AdosHouse on 03/09/2019 - 13:54

    If you car is older and has some mileage on it, it can be beneficial to remove the injectors and put new seals and filter baskets on them, as well as cleaning the other parts. If that is what they are doing, that's a decent price, if they are just pouring some injector cleaner in, that's a friggin rip-off.

    • TheBean on 03/09/2019 - 14:14

      Yea, it's 3 years old and done under 50k kms. Which is why I'm kinda like "WTF is this, I don't even notice an issue"

      • pantsparty on 03/09/2019 - 14:29
        +1

        My local Toyota dealership offers this same extra service every single time I get it serviced. They use it as an easy way to earn some extra money, chances are you don’t need it.

      • npc on 03/09/2019 - 14:39

        You can postpone the decision about fuel injectors cleaning until you have at least 150kkm.

      • xuqi on 03/09/2019 - 14:54
        +2

        A 3 yrs old Toyota with <50K on the clock isn't going to need it's injectors cleaned.

      • brad1-8tsi on 03/09/2019 - 15:07
        +1

        Yea, it's 3 years old and done under 50k kms.

        Extra service not needed. It's just an extra profit spinner for the workshop.
        Run about 3-4 tanks of premium98 and if you feel really keen, some Liqui Moly Fuel Injection Cleaner or similar

        https://www.racq.com.au/cars-and-driving/cars/owning-and-mai…

  • mini2 on 03/09/2019 - 14:11
    +1

    Drop a can of Liqui-Moly Fuel System Cleaner/Conditioner in there.

    • TheBean on 03/09/2019 - 14:16

      might look into this, thanks! you just add it to a full tank of fuel?

  • wannagrababargain on 03/09/2019 - 14:34
    +2

    I don't get why people are suggesting forgoing one money grab (injector cleaning service) for, an albeit cheaper but nontheless still, money grab (fuel additive) ? As if being scammed out of slightly less money is preferable.

    The question is: Do your injectors need cleaning or not? If you have noticed a drop in fuel economy or performance the answer could be YES, otherwise the answer is NO. If the anwer is YES then skip the fuel additives and pay for a full service that removes them, physically cleans and bench tests them. If the answer is NO then don't do anything.

    PS. Would really like to know how they clairvoyanced this "slight feeling" of unstable flow LOL..Did they use their divining rod or did the ECU report 'unstable flow on injector X' ?

    TL;DR No

    • xuqi on 03/09/2019 - 14:52
      +1

      They used a 'driving rod' to detect the slight feel of the force, in an attempt to dislodge an additonal $200 from OP's pocket.

    • TheBean on 03/09/2019 - 15:46

      Was told that the mechanic drove around and said he could feel it. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

      I told them that i'm going to leave it for the next service…

      • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2019 - 15:53
        +3

        Tell them you were driving the mechanic's loan car and could smell the snake oil too.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2019 - 14:52

    Scammers for sure. Dont trust them. They will likely use recycled oil and cheap crappy filters. Run a mile or at least leave your dash cam running.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2019 - 15:54

      Run a mile or at least leave your dash cam running.

      Anything stopping them from unplugging it?

      • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2019 - 22:50

        only honesty

    • juzza87 on 03/09/2019 - 15:58

      Funnily enough the last few mechanics I've been to have unplugged my dashcam! How rude.

      • AdosHouse on 03/09/2019 - 16:27
        +3

        Time to find a new mechanic.

  • the Unforgiven on 04/09/2019 - 13:45

    I am a mechanic & I use injector cleaner, just put a little in the tank, or whatever it says on the bottle, everytime you fill up with diesel.
    Is it blowing black smoke? no, well just do what I said above. Give it a few tank fulls & you will see performance pick up as well. The last time I cleaned injectors was at trade school, just use the bottle of cleaner instead; unless it is blowing clouds of black smoke out of the exhaust

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