Getting a fuel system cleaning every once in a while, might save you a whole lot of headaches down the road. Many problems that seem to come from faulty sensors or components are actually the result of buildup on various parts. This contamination might also degrade some components prematurely. It’s a good preventative measure to bring your vehicle to a service center if you see any of the telltale signs of inefficient fuel delivery:
- Decreased power when towing or going uphill
- Rough starts and shuddering idles
- Sluggish accelerating or a spongy engine response from the gas pedal
Here’s what you can expect when technicians perform the 4-Step Fuel System Cleaning. Keep in mind that many of these steps require reaching some relatively inaccessible spots in your engine compartment. The process also takes special products and tools to accomplish without damaging the delicate fuel system components.
- Valve Carbon Cleanup
Even with refined fuel and filtered air, some impurities enter your engine. This carbonized gunk sticks around and builds up over time. Eventually, you get a layer of unwanted material disrupting your valve seals, among other things. The first step of a fuel injection service is to remove this residue and allow your engine valves to form the complete seals the designers intended.
- Injector Cleaning
Your fuel injectors are responsible for taking liquid fuel from your line and spraying it in a fine mist. The pintle, or needle, at the end of your injector is especially important in this process as it controls the density of the spray and the size of the fuel droplets. In the second step, technicians remove deposits of unused fuel that accumulate over time and clog up your injector pintles. This service is necessary to maintain the efficiency and performance of your engine, sometimes as often as every 15,000 miles depending on the configuration of your injectors. Ask your service professional for advice on a cleaning schedule.
- Throttle Carbon Removal
The same carbon buildup that causes problems with your engine valves has a similar effect on your throttle body. This part uses a valve to control air intake based on what you do with the gas pedal. It’s also integral to the way your engine idles. One of the most common problems is the main butterfly valve getting jammed open by carbon buildup, decreasing fuel economy. Throttle body service gets everything moving smoothly again. A cleaning also removes buildup from your sensors, extending their life and restoring their efficiency.
- Fuel Additive
The final step is the introduction of an additive into your vehicle’s fuel tank. This step not only burns out excessive moisture from all the nooks and crannies of your fuel system, but it also continues to clean your injectors as long as that tank of gas lasts.
A four-step fuel injection service has the potential to solve some seemingly serious fuel system problems without expensive repairs and parts replacements. A good cleaning schedule might even keep you from having the issues in the first place. Give your injectors a new lease on life. Ask your service professional to help you develop a maintenance plan, including the 4-Step Fuel System Cleaning, to help keep your vehicle running as good as new.
