Hey guys,

This question is for a friend of mine who just purchased a 97' F150 w/ 60000mi in it. He wanted to know if he should go ahead and add F.I. cleaner in the system. He dosn't know if it had been used on it before. His concern is that could it cause any problems that the cleaner may remove? Basically, could it clog the injecters, fuel filter, etc.,?

I recommended Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner to him. I have been using it regularly after every 4000-5000mi, with no problems. Thoughts and/or suggetions?

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'98 EB Expy 4x4
5.4L 3.73 LS
Trail.Tow & Skidplate Pkg.

DA MODS....

** Custom Fab. 4" Cold Air Enclosure
** Pro-M 80mm MAF w/Filter & SC cal.(Enclosed)
** WMS Velocity Tube
** 75mm Edelbrock/BBK TB
** Hand Ported TB/Intake Elbow/Spacer
** Magnason/Eaton M90 Supercharger
** Autometer Boost Gauge w/ A-pillar mounted pod
** Cust. Prog. Superchip
** JBA Jet Black Ceramic Coated Headers
** Stage 8 Locking Header Bolts
** Gibson Sweptside Catback
** IPD Rear Anti-Swaybar
** Bilstein Shocks
** Manik Grill/Brush and Rear Taillight Guards
** PIAA 520 Foglights
** Clear Corner Lens
** Stull Billet Grill and Bumper Insert
** Ford Molded Mud Guards
** Ford Hood Guard
** "EXPEDITION" Receiver Cover

COMING UP NEXT, IN THE FUTURE....

** 4.10 gears
** Brembo Crossed Drilled Brake Kit
** 18" Wheels, due to Brembos
** F1 Cobra style hood

"Its Sooo Big...Its Gotta to be Blown!"

 

I would recommend that he run F.I. cleaner as a minimum. I would go futher and run complete system cleaner. I know the STP complete system works and I assume Valvoline and others would also. Your injectors would benefit greatly from the use of these products and it would probably benefit the valves and pistons, the entire fuel system really. As far as the fuel filter goes, that is what it is for, trapping contaminants. Every time I've bought a used vehicle I ALWAYS give it a tune up, run system cleaner thru it and THEN change the fuel filter. I put it in all my vehicles every 10-15k miles, I'm a firm believer in preventive maintenace and system cleaner has been part of it. What do you have to lose? $6-$7? You won't regret it, if the truck runs rough,misses,etc on the tank of gas with the cleaner you know it needed it and is working. If you notice no difference then you know your injectors are running at their optimum performance. Money in the bank as far as I'm concerned. Little long winded I know, sorry

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2000 XLT Sport,Black, 5.4L, 3.55 LS,Tow pkg, Rear 2in drop, Gibson Super truck, K&N.
86 5.0 Mustang LX w/off road h-pipe, Borla catback, FMS 65mm TB, K&N, Mac Racers choice shifter, MSD-6A,180 Degree thermostat,14 Degrees timing
93 Mustang Cobra #4946

 

If he wants the injectors cleaned, He should take it to the local delarship for a cleaning. He will feel the diffrence, but good things come at a price...$70+. and it only cleans the injectors.

 

I don't know of ANY product for $6 or $7 that will remove the carbon build-up from 60K of use! That stuff (Techron) is only good for frequent use. Once you've let the carbon build up, or if your not sure, you must use something that you KNOW works. B&G has a very good product called B&G 44K. This is by far the BEST additive. Its anywhere from $15 - $25. The best thing you could do is a Motor-Vac system. This uses a strong chemical(s) to completely decarbonize the entire engine and exhaust. A HUGE noticable difference afterwards! Costs about $120 on average and it take a service tech about 30 minutes. If you look up B&G you can locate a local dealer. B&G stands for Bearing & Gear.

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Rand

98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)

 

Has anybody had any problems with sediment in there tanks or rusty fuel injectors? I only have 18,000 miles on my truck and it was so bad that when the Ford Tech shook it on his hand I thought it was a pepper shaker. they were baffled and said it probably sat too long at the dealership or something. No way it was just bad gas. (a tank of fuel rarely lasts more than a week) well they are switching out everything and flushing everything. I'ts been a week already.

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Y2K F150 4x4 XL Med Torredor Red
4.2 5 speed,AIRAID, SuperCHIP,
3.55 LS, Leer camper shell, bedrug,
Ranchhand Rover Brushguard 2X Off road lights
Tint/alarm/ aftermarket keyless entry/locks
2m radio, CB, 3 Scanners
regulator@f150driver.com

 

Way2Big, use the Techron. I've been using Techron to clean injectors before there was all those other products out on the market. I've used Techron to clean diesel & gasoline engines injectors for years. I use it in my truck and the rest of my vehicles all the time. I found that if your having a problem with dirty injectors the Techron usually takes care of it within one tank full. Unless you actually have a bad injector. But nothing replaces a fuel filter. I replace mine at a minimum of 20K miles. Also filling up your tank at a gas station while they are getting a load is a no no. Even though there is a filter at the pump crud still gets into your tank. Certain brands of fuel contain more MTBE or alchol than others. Plus depending on your location/climate manufactures of fuels blend their gasoline differently. Hope this helps ya.

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F150IslandBoy
1997 F150 Lariat
SuperCab, Toreador Red w/ Gold, Styleside, 4.6L, A/T, A/C, 3.55 3800 Limited Slip, Class 3 Tow Package, Leather Captain Seats, Sliding Rear Window.
Modifications:
Airaid FIPK, Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Series, Bugflector II, Viper 500ESP Alarm, Pendaliner Bedliner, Cobra Trapshooter 3 Radar Detector, CARR Tubular Nerf Bars, NFA 1400 Compact 55W=>85W Halogen O.E. Lights, Durango 255/70R16, Chrome eyelet tie downs, Smoked front lic. plate cover.

 

REGULATOR!!! Welcome to the Club!!!

I too had the same problem that you are having right now. My Y2K which only has about 6400 miles on it has been in and out of the shop all summer over this. A couple months ago I took it in with a Check Engine lamp on, which they discovered high fuel pressure and replaced the pump and regulator.

About a month after that the same thing happened, causing them to replace the same parts again. Then a couple weeks after that, the truck started running like crap and the Check Engine lihgt came on again. When I took it in that time they blamed a crimped vacuum line. Less than a week later it started running real bad, suring and stalling, the works, after a few days the Check Engine light was back on, so back to the dealer it went.

The day after I took it in I received a rather nasty call from my dealer telling me that I had massive contamination in my fuel system that could only be caused by purchasing bad gas. I was told that the injectors were rusted so bad that could be the only reason. They said they would fix it this time, but would deny any warranty claims if it occured again. After arguing with the service guy, service manager, sales manager, and eventually owner owner, I ended up telling him my lawyer would be in touch with his. As part of the service work that they agreed to do was to replace the injectors, pump, regulator and flush the system.

When I called them the day they said they'd have it ready, I was told that "there was a little more to the bad gas theory they first proposed. I was told that they replaced the parts as agreed, flushed the system and filled the tank. But they said that the problem occured almost immediatly during the test drive, so bad gas couldn't be the problem. They contacted a Ford engineer who said that in some cases they've had materials problems with the tanks disintegrating, and that my symptions were indicative of that.

They told me that they were going to need to have the truck for another week to replace the fuel system. They ended up replacing the gas tank, fual pump, regulator, filter, all lines, fuel rail, injectors, etc.

It's been about 2 weeks and so far not a single problem. I hope that this solves the problem, otherwise I will pursue the lemon laws. Good luck with your problem.

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2000 F-150 XLT, Reg Cab/Long Box, Styleside, Oxford White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, Ford Bedliner.

Currently Forsale: K&N FIPK, Superchip Code: XJB1

2000 Polaris Sportsman 500, Camo Green, 4x4, 499cc 4-stroke, independent suspension, shaft drive, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc.



[This message has been edited by Y2K OffRoad (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

WHOA, Deja Vu, Same here ( see rusty fuel injector post on V-6 engine)

CE light went off, too high fuel pressure, started to just change fuel rail then looked at injectors and it just went nuts from there. they said they would flush everything but do I need to tell them to inspect the fuel tank???? if its the fuel tank ( plastic?) then possible they need to replace that or should I "request" (demand) they replace it?
Please advise they have had truck for 7 working days and still waiting on some part and I can still catch them before they put back together... any TSBs?

 

Amsoil makes the best system cleaner and maintainer I have ever used. One bottle in up to 30 gal fuel will clean anything that the fuel comes in contact with. 2 oz with each full tank fill up afterwards will maintain a clean system too. It's not cheap retail, but well worth the money over the aforementioned ones IMHO. I think it sells retail for something like $6 or $7 a 16 oz bottle.

 

My dealer told me that the fuel tanks are plastic. The ford engineer told them that the tanks can in certain circumstances have materials problems that cause the tank to contaminate the gas. He wouldn't specify as to what those circumstances were, but I was happy to know that they were going to replace everything to do with the fuel system.

I would certainly advise them to replace the tank, or at least contact Ford's engineers to confirm the problem. I would also insist that they replace the entire fuel system rather than try to flush out the contaminated parts. Hopefully your dealer will be a little more cooperative than mine was at first.

About the only good thing that came out of my problem was that they gave the truck a wash and wax, not to mention interior vacuuming and shampooing of the rugs and floormats. Probably their way of kissing my @ss for being so rude to me before!

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2000 F-150 XLT, Reg Cab/Long Box, Styleside, Oxford White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, Ford Bedliner.

Currently Forsale: K&N FIPK, Superchip Code: XJB1

2000 Polaris Sportsman 500, Camo Green, 4x4, 499cc 4-stroke, independent suspension, shaft drive, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc.

 

Regulator, just out of curiosity, what is the build date and location of your truck. I would like to know if there might be any correlation.

 

OK HERE IT IS 10/22/99 was build date Kansas was the Location ( I think) I don't know I recall throwing that sticker off the windshield away.
how can you tell from the VIN???? mine has a
KA as 11th and 12th character

I called them and told them about your problem/experience. So far the truck is still sitting there "waiting on parts" If you have any information I can use let me know.
I told them they should call ford again and that they changed your entire system out.

[This message has been edited by REGULATOR (edited 09-25-2000).]

[This message has been edited by REGULATOR (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

I have my oil done at Valvoline with 5w-30 syntec. At the time of oil change they put a bottle of syntec fuel injector cleaner. Seems ok in mine so far.

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1998 ext cab 4x4 4.6 auto
K&N Gen11, Superchip, fiberglass tonneau cover
Borla cat-back exhaust

 

Regulator, here's a bombardment of information that I hope you will find of use..

Dealer:
Dave Pirro Ford, Inc.
P.O. Box 146
E. Genesee St. Road
Skaneateles, NY 13152
315-638-9446

Service Manager:
Jim Lamanna

Technicians that worked on the problem last visit:
Benjamin L Hubert
Paul A Forbes
Kevin Finnie
Steven Pannetti

Description of problem (From Work Order):
Runs poorly since evap line fixed to correct check engine light. Check engine light still comes on and flashes. AC cuts out also.

Description of service work:
Test fuel system and eec system. R&I fuel tank, wash out tank and lines. Replace pump and injectors. Retest. Same condition occured. Retested. Replace fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel rail and fuel injectors.

If your dealer is giving you a hard time have their service manager speak with mine. Perhaps they can swap notes and you'll get your truck back sooner!

So much for my theory of the trucks being built close to one another. Mine came from the Ontario Truck Plant, but I don't yet have a build date I'll look that up tomorrow.

Good luck!


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2000 F-150 XLT, Reg Cab/Long Box, Styleside, Oxford White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, Ford Bedliner.

Currently Forsale: K&N FIPK, Superchip Code: XJB1

2000 Polaris Sportsman 500, Camo Green, 4x4, 499cc 4-stroke, independent suspension, shaft drive, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc.



[This message has been edited by Y2K OffRoad (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

The wash and wax thing is common, it is just a random thing to do. Now the shampooing of the carpets is special. I work at a dealership, I know.