How will I know when it's time to have my fuel injectors cleaned.?

Question

I recently bought a used (24,000 mi) 2005 Chrysler Sebring and took it to a car wash/oil change place to establish a baseline for future oil changes. The car wash tries to get you to have extra things done... radiator flush, fuel injector cleaning, windshield replacement etc. They said my fuel injectors need to be cleaned... how can tell if they know what they're doing or just trying to take my money?

Answer 1

Sounds like a shyster outfit. Just get the STP stuff at a parts store every few tank fulls. Follow the guidelines in the operator manual (if you have it or look on line) for maintenance. Replace windshield when needed, use your eyes to figure this out, my 1987 still has the original and it is good. Radiator should not ever need to be flushed if taken care of properly, change coolant at mfr spec interval (perhaps 100,000 miles), NEVER use tap water in it.

Answer 2

Usually it does not need cleaning. If all the oil change and maintenance is done.

Owner manual does prints required interval.

If you notice any loss of power for no reason and suspect injectors, You can keep it clean by adding manufacturer's approved products to the gas tank at regular interval. By the way gas is blended for local condition, most have additives that are suppose to keep injectors clean.

PS:

Chrysler dealer parts department will sale you a bottle of injector cleaner and it has instructions on it. You may want to use this regularly if you are in stop and go traffic or driving on gravel or dirt road or going thru construction that produces dust. It may be lot cheaper some where else, not exact same stuff but some thing equal or similar.

Answer 3

They are trying to take your money. You do not have enough miles on the car to warrant getting the injectors cleaned. If you are worried about keeping them clean I highly recommend Lucas.
If an injector really does have a problem the engine will be missing at the cylinder with the injector problem.
I owned a 1985 Volvo (recently traded for a new car) with fuel injection. I had the car for 6 years, never had the injectors cleaned and I don't think the previous owner did either. The car had 275,000 miles at trade time. My mom's 1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager never had an injector cleaning either...335,000 miles. The injector system in the Grand Voyager and the Volvo were the same system. Chances are your Sebring is using the same system...K-Jetronic by Bosch.

Answer 4

They're just trying to get your money. Injectors on an older car - like 75,000 miles old - might benefit from being cleaned correctly, by which I mean having the injectors pulled out and having cleaning fluid pumped backwards through them. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it unless the car is a race car and needs every last horsepower, the car has a missfire, or you have just bought an unknown set of used injectors. But 25,000 miles is not enough time for the injectors to get plugged.

Answer 5

Just based on age the injector cleaning is overdue. To wait for a problem to occur can result in expensive injector replacement. Changing the fuel filter every couplef years i also a good idea on fuel injected cars since the fuel keeps recycling through the filter as it's returned after the pressure regulator

Answer 6

I am a service writer in Georgia for this car company. Fuel injectors do become "gunked somewhat by carbon over time. Injector cleaners from autopart stores really cant clean as well as these do. As for the coolant flush..I have seen waterpumps blades actually rust away due to flushes not being performed as they should over the life of a vehicle. Sure they are trying to "upsell" services but some of the services will save you repairs on down the road. Here is a guideline for you. Injector and coolant flushes every 36k to 40k. Transmission service every 50K. This will save you big repir bills down the road! Some will argue this timetable but it is what I use here at my shop. Hope it helps!

Answer 7

Your fuel injectors in all probability should not need cleaning. Unless some how forein substance entered your gas line, more than likely it is not the case. Try some dry gas or high octane rated fuel. Stay away from the place. Go to an expert for advice and do as much of the work you can yourself. Yes of course they are trying to take your money thats what they do.

Answer 8

Tune up your car!
1) 1pint of fuel injector cleaner $ 2
2) platinum spark plugs $ 3 each
3) oil, air, fuel filter and PCV valve $ 5 - 9 each
4) check ignition wires $12 -20 a set
5) buy and read a manual on your model $20
6] change oil with a synthetic every 6000miles $ 5 a quart
7) check and replace low transmission, windshield washer, radiator, power steering and brake fluids.
8) look underneath for copious leaks.
9) note uneven tire wear.
0) read the manual.

Kick back for a year and quit worrying!

Answer 9

Generally the book provided by the manufacturer states when to do things, you could always call a service department at the dealer too. Do not trust the oil change places, they should stick to selling oil and not maintenance.

If your car is extremely sluggish, has poor acceleration, stalls, etc... then you need to get them cleaned. The best way to keep from having the problem is to prevent it with injector cleaners added every couple of tanks, and use good gas.

Answer 10

You'll know when the engine starts running ragged, and your gas mileage goes down. Normally there is no reason to take them out and clean them. Just toss a bottle of STP Fuel Injection Cleaner or an equivalent every couple of months or so. I had a truck that demanded that treatment once a month regardless. That one probably DID need a proper cleaning, though.