Injector Cleaners ???

[alanbmwgs]

Hi just wondering what your thoughts are on using an Injector Cleaner...
2003 1150 gs. Thought I'd read somewhere that you shouldn't use a cleaner in the GS. ????

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Since I've run on a crappy fuel for a lot of miles in third world I've run through many bottles of injector cleaner as a precautionary measure without any issues (used mainly for the piston head carbon buildup, but the signs said it's for the injector cleaning as well). It's on a 1100 though, maybe not identical but I reckon should be similar injectors to 1150.

 

[Big Al Litch]

Used Redex injector cleaner on my 2003 twinspark for many years without any issues.
Bought in bulk from Costco (about £10 for 4 x 500ml bottles) and added to every tank of fuel the cost is almost insignificant, I worked on the assumption that it won't do any harm and should actually keep things cleaner in there.

 

[Steptoe]

Used Redex injector cleaner on my 2003 twinspark for many years without any issues.
Bought in bulk from Costco (about £10 for 4 x 500ml bottles) and added to every tank of fuel the cost is almost insignificant, I worked on the assumption that it won't do any harm and should actually keep things cleaner in there.

ATF fluid does the same thing and works out cheaper as it's not so diluted so you don't need add so much.each time.

 

[Fanum]

A fuel injector service will be around £35 delivered door to door, and in that you get new 'O' rings all through, proper electrical testing and a spray pattern adjustment and report as well.

I did try cleaner but it made NO difference when I was having fuel problems......sending them away to have them done professionally made a large difference.

I also kept my eyes open on Ebay and blagged a spare pair for under 30 quid delivered...I fitted them and ran them for a few miles to make sure they were all ok then packaged them up and put them aside for spares.....if/when I need to get mine cleaned again, I can just swap them out and stay on the road.

So no, I'd say it wasn't worth using injector cleaning, but YMMV.

 

[ahebron]

ATF fluid does the same thing and works out cheaper as it's not so diluted so you don't need add so much.each time.

Is that any old ATF or a specific type?
I have heard of people using a splosh of diesel mixed with petrol to keep the engine clean.

Adrian

 

[Steptoe]

Is that any old ATF or a specific type?

I've a container of "any old ATF" just for the purpose of adding to fuel and engines. The K series bikes engines benefit from 500cc of atf added to their engine oil before doing an oil change. Cleans out the starter clutch and acts as an engine flusher. I add some to all my car/bikes engines a day or two before an oil change.

It also frees off stuck "K" starter clutches (which is a fairly big job to replace on a K series), add a litre of atf to the oil, push start the bike, leave it running for 20 minutes and Bobs yer uncle. Just saved yourself £600 +.

 

[cookie]

i think ATF also contains additives that soften oil seals to help prevent leaks.

 

[Ogmios]

This ATF info is really useful.
Ta Steptoe!

 

[nick.ct]

i think ATF also contains additives that soften oil seals to help prevent leaks.

Certainly does. Had a power steering leak, kept topping it up with ATF, less than a litre later, no more leak

 

[Dragon Master]

i think ATF also contains additives that soften oil seals to help prevent leaks.

Hmmm... so if you stuck some in the fuel, would it help soften valve stem seals?

 

[DrFarkoff]

If you have fuel getting up as far as your valve stem seals You have a problem
Better with a cupful in your oil ( as long as not a wet clutch bike)

 

[alanbmwgs]

Injector Cleaner

Some very interesting and useful comments guys, thank you very much. . .

 

[ahebron]

i think ATF also contains additives that soften oil seals to help prevent leaks.

Brake fluid does the same.

Adrian

 

[Fanum]

Brake fluid does the same.

Adrian

Brake fluid is pretty evil stuff........You sure you wanna be adding it to your engine oil?

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Some April fools found their way in me reckons That being said I'd mix brake fluid with cyanide if possible - much better results and I bet the engine pulls like a train afterwards

 

[alanbmwgs]

Brake fluid does the same.

Adrian

Thanks Adrian, that sounds very drastic, I'll be passing on that one !!!

 

[Tone 1]

try using sea foam you can get it on ebay clean air intake and fuel system they even use it in the oil before an oil change for cars and bikes works a treat, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjXViwb97qc

 

[Dragon Master]

If you have fuel getting up as far as your valve stem seals You have a problem
Better with a cupful in your oil ( as long as not a wet clutch bike)

Cheers for that, I was just curious. It's not for the GS, it's for the FJ. It's 25 yrs old in June, and I'm toying with the idea of replacing the valve stem seals, they may be a bit hard by now, and it is using a bit more oil than I like.

I'm hoping to re-paint the engine, so while it is stripped down for that I could get such things done.

Or while it's stripped down for such things, I could re-paint it.