Hi,

I've got my VRX booked in for its 36 month service tomorrow, it's well under in terms of km's though (around 33k from memory). Anyway, I receive some vague call from the dealership this morning saying they recommend that I also get the fuel injectors cleaned and air con checked or serviced as part of my service tomorrow. It's a couple of hundred bucks extra or something. So I asked was that a normal part of the 36 month service, and they ummmed and arrred for a bit and said it was something that should get done every 12 months. Well they didn't do it at my last service 12 months ago :confused:

Anyway, I wanted to ask what did you guys get done on your 36 month service, and how much did it set you back?

Cheers,
Zolt

Checked my log book when I got home, nothing in it mentions anything about cleaning the fuel injectors and servicing the air con. Do these dealerships just make sh ! t up?

I wouldn't put anything past some of these dealerships. I guess its your call then, but in my opinion if it's not in the book and you are not experiencing problems with the items (aircon, etc) then don't bother with it.

I've just clicked over 70 000km and haven't had the injectors cleaned and all is well.

I consistently use BP Ultimate/Shell Vmax which would help and it runs mostly on the highway.

Yep its just a scam to get more money from your wallet.

Sounds like they're trying to get more money out of you recommending work above and over the normal service. Remember its the extras you have done that makes these guys the biggest profits.

My AWD's done 103000km and where I've taken it hasn't yet recommended a injector clean.

Edit: I've also looked thru my Lotus Elise's recommended service, it doesn't say anywhere that an injector clean is required as a part of it's normal service.

The only time I'd heard of injector clean being done is for race conditions, where the injectos are ultrasonically cleaned and then flow tested in order to verify performance prior to its installation into a race car.

For the injector clean, they pour a bottle of injector cleaner in your tank. As for the air-con cleanout, they just put a anti-bac/deodoriser spray into your vent while the system is running full blast.

The injector clean is a rip off. The air-con one should only be done IF your air-con stinks when on.

I had my 380 serviced recently (2 yrs, 23k on clock) and they cleaned the induction / throttle body without even asking me and of course charged for it. After I pointed out that (a) nothing should need cleaning that soon (b) it wasn't in the service book and (c) they should have asked first, they refunded the $70.

Complete rip off - watch what you're signing for when you take your car in for a service.

Well I got to the service center today and dropped off my car. Starting talking to the guy there and told him how I had a phone call from a woman about the fuel injector and air con stuff. He rolled his eyes and said to ignore that. He said I didn't need it, and it wasn't part of the normal service. He said I could clean my fuel injectors by using premium fuel (which I do sometimes anyway).

So there ya go, very strange. I'm not sure if the woman who called works in the service center or sales or something.

So the injector clean is as simple as that? (ie pour some cleaner into tank). I thought after all that fuss, they'd be pulling all the injectors out, soak and clean thoroughly before dry and refit. If the tank option is all they're doing, you could get a bottle of Wynne's injector cleaner from K-Mart and do it yourself... or go with the premium (which I do anyway). Aircon procedure sounds dodgy too.

I had an injector issue with an early model Verada wagon some years ago. It was built some months before it shipped and was sitting in Adelaide or somewhere else for a while being run up every now and again (company car and I got it real cheap). The thing had no guts going up a hill. The dealer said they fixed the problem but the poor pulling power continued for some time. In frustration, I went to my local UltraTune shop and the guy said it sounded like the injectors were clogged. I dropped it off and left it for three days. I dropped in at the end of the second day and he had the engine in bits and the injectors in a sonic bath. The car flew afterwards and I didn't get charged the earth. He recommended either premium or a regular bottle of Wynns to keep them in top condition. I still follow that rule with the 380. Cheers...

Zarbs

just out of couriosity what are yous paying for a service on your 380s. ive got my 15k service cumming up in the next couple months.

Here we go again.....

There are a few ways to clean injectors

Bottle in tank, will remove water from tank but will not do jack to the injectors. Dont believe me, remove one, flow and pattern test it, run a tank with a bottle do the same again, no change

Onboard, very effective, the engine runs only on what is in the tin, this stuff is so volotile it will ignite when it hits air. This removes most of the carbon and gives them a good clean. Also great to decarbon your piston tops, exhaust and inlet valves etc

Ultrasonic, most effective, injectors are removed, cleaned in an ultrasonic bath while having the solution pumped through them. This is the best way only you do not get the benefit of the top end clean.

95000 kms and have done nothing to the injectors. Fuel card only allows 91 so on a few occassions i have dropped a tank of BP Ult or similar on a long trip. Good to see you are also getting the ks up Knotched:cry:

just out of couriosity what are yous paying for a service on your 380s. ive got my 15k service cumming up in the next couple months.

Would be hard to judge a s/c versus standard service cost

Would be hard to judge a s/c versus standard service cost

He's not got a S/C just some ralliart bits and pieces, my first 15k services was about $150 i think....though they did through in a tyre rotation and balance for free so maybe it would cost more i'm not sure.

Here we go again.....

There are a few ways to clean injectors

Bottle in tank, will remove water from tank but will not do jack to the injectors. Dont believe me, remove one, flow and pattern test it, run a tank with a bottle do the same again, no change

Onboard, very effective, the engine runs only on what is in the tin, this stuff is so volotile it will ignite when it hits air. This removes most of the carbon and gives them a good clean. Also great to decarbon your piston tops, exhaust and inlet valves etc

Ultrasonic, most effective, injectors are removed, cleaned in an ultrasonic bath while having the solution pumped through them. This is the best way only you do not get the benefit of the top end clean.

Thanks for the overview on the different methods for cleaning injectors.

Although I've owned several cars I've never been into DIY maintenance before, so it goes without saying that I'm an absolute newbie.

Also I've recently, about a month ago got a 95 TS auto 4 cyl, which has just ticked over 130,000 k.

I don't know the service history of the car in detail, as such I'm not sure when, (if ever), the injectors were last cleaned.

Some questions if I may.

1. How often do the injectors need cleaning? ie every X thousand k's

2. If I chose to try the 'onboard' method mentioned above, is there a good guide that describes the process? (I understand that a kit is required).

3. Or as the car is at 130,000 K would it be best to have them done 'professionally'.

3. Once cleaned, is there any benefit in using bottled 'cleaners' as a maintenance method.

Cheers.

Have never had injectors cleaned on any of my cars and some have gone to the 300thous k mark.
why are you asking the question
1- Car running rough
2- Some mechanic has informed you that it needs to be done.

Have known mechanics to waste customers money by saying they need cleaning and this has been done and car still has problem once done.

My 380 just clocked 100000 and main fuel used is 91 ron and never put a cleaner through the tank. No probs
98 Magna with 170000 same fuel as above never a drama.
Vx Commodore 280000 never a drama.
VP Commodore 345000 never a drama.

Have never had injectors cleaned on any of my cars and some have gone to the 300thous k mark.
why are you asking the question
1- Car running rough
2- Some mechanic has informed you that it needs to be done.

The car itself is running quite well now following a recent service, where the oil was changed, along with the oil, air and fuel filters, and spark plugs, (which were shot).

The timing was also adjusted as the last person who did the service had retarded it too much, (previous owner).

My thanks to magnabuff for help and advice on the service btw.

Prior to the service the car was going through petrol like you wouldn't believe. I only got 260 K out of the last full tank of fuel.

However, I'm not 100% sure as to the condition of the injectors, and have no way of comparing the cars 'optimal' to it's current performance.

So in answer to your question.

Firstly I'm trying to learn more about maintaining fuel injection systems, to determine whether or not it would be worth doing, (ie cleaning the injectors).

Secondly, as mentioned earlier, I'm an absolute newby when it comes to DIY car maintenance, so anything I can learn at all will be useful.

When i had my KE I had the injectors ultrasonically cleaned at service, i think it was about 160-170K mark because it was idling slightly roughly (unevenly) and nothing else seemed wrong. The car was 91RON all the time.
It did nothing and I don't think it improved fuel economy either.

Checked my log book when I got home, nothing in it mentions anything about cleaning the fuel injectors and servicing the air con. Do these dealerships just make sh ! t up?

yes! they want your money - as much as possible, as quick as possible

My aircon - last service 1997 - not quite as cold as it should be. lol
My (car's) injectors - untouched for 236,000 Km. Idle rough, but I would check/replace hydraulic lifters first.

Is it making **** up to make a profit? Yes.

At my work we are encouraged to make upsells - particularly by our service advisors. Service advisors get a cut of the profits from every a/c service and sanitize, P/S fluid flush and Injector clean and flush sold.

A/C sanitize is a bit of a crock since you can do the same thing with a can of Glenn 20 but the A/C service itself is a regas of the A/C system.

I can't stress enough that we (the mechanics) don't see a cent of the upsell profit.

Took my wife's 12 month old Lancer to the dealer with 4,000Km on the clock to keep up the new car warranty. Tried to "upsell" me to a valve adjust, underbody inspection and tyre rotation. "No thanks" was my reply - considering the manual states that valve adjust is only needed at head overhaul or on rough idle. Still charged me $85 for a basic oil change.
Next time this car sees the same dealer is for a free recall fix, if any, or when the clutch wears out at 180,00Km.


edit: Aircon regas sounds good, but the gas is drained from the system so that they can measure the amount going in - you are probably getting your gas back, plus a bit more. I prefer to wait until the aircon loses cooling efficiency, then get it regassed. Don't let it go too far though, because moisture may enter the system and then you will then need a new receiver/dryer.

Is it making **** up to make a profit? Yes.

At my work we are encouraged to make upsells - particularly by our service advisors. Service advisors get a cut of the profits from every a/c service and sanitize, P/S fluid flush and Injector clean and flush sold.

A/C sanitize is a bit of a crock since you can do the same thing with a can of Glenn 20 but the A/C service itself is a regas of the A/C system.

I can't stress enough that we (the mechanics) don't see a cent of the upsell profit.

Yep

Its like anywhere really same as buying premium lamb vs standard lamb etc etc, its all a marketing ploy.