Diesel injector/carbon cleaner
Diesel injector/carbon cleaner
Author
Discussion

IceBoy

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

236 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Hi All,

There seem to be many of these on the market but what is considered the best.

Thinking of putting it in to the little colt di-d, which is returning poor economy.

Thanks
IceBoy

Superhoop

4,768 posts

208 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
You're a brave man - I would imagine that Mitsu will state that no additives should be used in the fuel system.

If you had a problem with the fuel system, and Mitsu suspected that additives had been used, then it's bye bye warranty.

IceBoy

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

236 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Oh jeeezzzz !

Can they check to see if I have used additive in the fuel?

The car does still have a warantee.

IceBoy

eltax91

10,343 posts

221 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
If it still has warranty and the economy is suffering, why not ask them to figure out what's up. Dodgy MAF or particulate filter? Have you given it an italian tune-up?

Superhoop

4,768 posts

208 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Of course they can if it's still there. If it causes a problem soon after adding it, and the fuel gets tested.......

How old is the car?

IceBoy

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

236 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Right, I'm off for an Italian tune up.

The car is a 57-plate with 17k on clock.

Back in 30 mins!

IceBoy

Superhoop

4,768 posts

208 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
So exactly how bad is teh fuel economy? And what are you expecting (you'll be lucky to get within 10% of the manufacturer's combined figures on the daily grind)

Is the problem a recent thing? i.e. did it start getting worse at about the same time as the weather started getting colder? (there have been a few threads on PH recently about fuel economy worsening in cold weather - It might be worth having a read, they make quite an interesting read)

Dougal

597 posts

299 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Having run diesels for a few hundred k, I would agree with the 'it does less when it's cold crowd', for me, around 10% less. Also, not long after using a fuel system cleaner the HP fuel pump started to leak and the injectors needed a refurb, may be coincidence, but I'm never using any again.

Edited by Dougal on Tuesday 19th January 20:37

halo34

2,890 posts

214 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
I will never put injector cleaner in any car again after a bad bad bad experience with some of that stuff and a bmw 330d.

To be fair I learnt my lesson

upljim

41 posts

189 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
halo34 said:
I will never put injector cleaner in any car again after a bad bad bad experience with some of that stuff and a bmw 330d.

To be fair I learnt my lesson
what problems did you get with using the stuff.

IceBoy

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

236 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Right...the 1st Italian tune up has been carried out...boy was that fun...will probably do it again this week.

The car has been owned by a little old lady since new. The combined figure should be 60mpg and we are getting 40mpg.....so a fair bit out....33%ish.!!!

Around town we get 30mpg
On the motorway 70mph we get 50mpg

I know it is not bad but nowhere near the amazing figure it sould be.

I'm struggling to think what it could be....has the old lady just chocked it all up with slow driving ?

IceBoy

Edited by IceBoy on Tuesday 19th January 21:06

IceBoy

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

236 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Right...the 1st Italian tune up has been carried out...boy was that fun...will probably do it again this week.

The car has been owned by a little old lady since new. The combined figure should be 60mpg and we are getting 40mpg.....so a fair bit out...33%!!! !

Around town we get 30mpg
On the motorway 70mph we get 50mpg

I know it is not bad but nowhere near the amazing figure it sould be.

I'm struggling to think what it could be....has the old lady just chocked it all up with slow driving ?

IceBoy

Edited by IceBoy on Tuesday 19th January 21:07

odyssey2200

18,650 posts

224 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
These additives will actuall etch into the needles in the injector.

Given the tollerances involved in these components they can fk your injectors up and Yes they can tell!


TooLateForAName

4,888 posts

199 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Not knowing anything about that engine, I'd start with changing the filters and checking for any induction system leaks.

halo34

2,890 posts

214 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Within a little while of adding additive to the bmw it started complaining, running rough and not pulling properly.

I ended up in BMW having to have the inlet manifold off to access a small pipe that had blown off in the process - and various bits and bobs that werent happy, it didnt feel right for ages.

Not saying it was a direct cause but the car was just not happy.

IMHO a good clean out w/o cleaner and a few good long runs do the job just as well.

Dr.Doofenshmirtz

16,195 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Most additives are nothing more than common-or-garden Paraffin (aka Kerosene).

Turkey

382 posts

199 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Millers Diesel additives have got a strong following. I've been using them in every tank for the last 5 years with no apparent ill effects, but the cars do smoke less and are smoother with it in the tank.

Some people will report bad experiences, sometimes based on fact, sometimes just a gut feeling of course or without concrete proof. My money is with the Millers, it won't etch injectors as far as I know, but it will clean the fuel system, lubricate, and prevent corrosion. My own experience with it is good, and the opinions of members on another forum I visit.

To be honest I've never heard anything bad about it, although of course some say it's unnecessary or will void warranty etc.


odyssey2200

18,650 posts

224 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Turkey said:
Millers Diesel additives have got a strong following. I've been using them in every tank for the last 5 years with no apparent ill effects, but the cars do smoke less and are smoother with it in the tank.
What car?
What type in system?

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

270 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
halo34 said:
I will never put injector cleaner in any car again after a bad bad bad experience with some of that stuff and a bmw 330d.

To be fair I learnt my lesson
LISTEN to this man....

Steve_W

1,548 posts

192 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Can't say for low mileage cars, but on our TD4 Freelander (BMW M47 engine), it started idling roughly at around 90,000 miles.

Regularly serviced etc. but it kept getting rougher. I was advised to swap the injectors - they're nigh on £200 each!! eek

One guy on a Land Rover forum suggested a £15 bottle of STP diesel injector cleaner; thought it couldn't hurt at that price so got one from Halfords.

Ran a full tank of fuel through it with the cleaner - no more rough running, so it certainly worked on our car.