Off the shelf injector cleaners. Snake oil?

[sofadriver]

Just bought a new-to-me '99 Nissan Frontier (sweet little truck) and figured I'd dump in a bottle of injector cleaner just because.

Does any of this stuff actually do anything?

[brad black]

I use the wurth brand 'fuel system' cleaner and sometimes I have bikes come back after a service that I need to lean the idle mixture out on, so yes, I would say that in situations where it is needed it can make a difference.

if the system has no blockages, etc, then it has nothing to do.

[Ducatamount]

Sea Foam
http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-motor-treatment/

[Howie]

Also Techron  http://www.amazon.com/Chevron-65740-Techron-Concentrate-Cleaner/dp/B00092893E  do not over do it!

[Slide Panda]

It'll help some. Removes some varnish and such - but if there's particles or just a lot of crappy dirt in the injectors then having them out for a reverse flush and sonic clean will be needed

So may or may not do any good depending on a bunch.  But won't hurt anything either

[fastwin]

I've used both Sea Foam, Techron and Lucas fuel treatments. Depends on which one might be on sale at my Pep Boys. I usual treat the gas before long road trips and I take some with me to treat the gas during fill ups on the way.

Does it help? No technical proof that it does but it damn sure hasn't hurt. No FI problems in any of our vehicles ever and one is a '99, a '03 and a '08.

I just consider it a "multi-vitamin" for my car. Guess that buys some peace of mind. Maybe someone out there has seen a report that goes beyond just the usual advertising BS.  

[sofadriver]

i should have googled this first - my bad

semi-interesting.........
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t54232-fuel_injector_cleaners_tests.html

[Curmudgeon]

It'll help some. Removes some varnish and such - but if there's particles or just a lot of crappy dirt in the injectors then having them out for a reverse flush and sonic clean will be needed

So may or may not do any good depending on a bunch.  But won't hurt anything either

If you want to use the "real deal", use BG CF5 on this page. You'll note other stuff high-line European dealers use to avoid costly engine work to clear multiple misfire codes. You'll have to buy if from a dealership or independent repair shop though since BG doesn't sell in normal retail outlets. http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html Change the oil afterwards if you ever decide to use 44K though.

[ute]

sea foam ..all the way

TJ has 500k (km) on it with once a year seafoam treatment

PT has 300k on it

[MendoDave]

I have acetone in the shop that should clean stuff out pretty good.

[cokey]

Also for maintenance, Marvel's mystery oil. 

[LowThudd]

I use ATF in my MB diesel every so often. Seems to wake it up a bit. Got this from an old school Mercedes mechanic.

[ducatiz]

The reason that ethanol (E10) gas is bad in old cars is because it loosens varnish and sludge. 

IIRC many of the older carb/fi cleaners were just 20-30% ethanol and other solvents plus some oil to offset the low lubricity.