Are fuel additives safe for rotaries?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Safe yes in the sense that they won't damage the engine unless something really stupid is done, but useful...not so much. Injector cleaners can only remove the most very basic deposits and the truth is that quality fuels already have solvents designed to keep things clean.
Then there's all the other snake oil out there. Products like "Slick 50", power boosters, etc. that are all just useless at best and at worst, can do things which lower octane (bad idea in a turbo rotary).
Then there's all the other snake oil out there. Products like "Slick 50", power boosters, etc. that are all just useless at best and at worst, can do things which lower octane (bad idea in a turbo rotary).
Actually, we use two different slightly alkaline water based cleaning solutions, it takes longer to clean but isn't hazardous to the injector's internal seals or people either. We prefer to let the ultrasonic cleaning action do most of the work.
Most injectors have their coils exposed to the fuel, some solvents will break down the insulation of the winding and it can them to short out to each other.
The Rochester injectors used in GM cars from 87-92 are notorious for this.
WitchHunter Performance
Most injectors have their coils exposed to the fuel, some solvents will break down the insulation of the winding and it can them to short out to each other.
The Rochester injectors used in GM cars from 87-92 are notorious for this.
WitchHunter Performance
I found one TSB talking about injector cleaner, has anyone got feedback on that by any chance?
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10. FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER
Service bulletin #001/93, Category F
Applies to all fuel injected models
To improve fuel injection performance, Mazda has tested and
approved a highly effective fuel injector cleaner. The kit and
cleaner is recommended for all Mazda fuel injection systems.
Mazda's fuel injector cleaner uses a chemical reducing agent
rather than the common solvent used in typical aftermarket
cleaners. As a result, in tests against aftermarket competitors,
Mazda's cleaner outperformed all others and was the only one to
restore the fuel injector's flow rate to original factory specs.
Mazda recommends cleaning injectors every 15,000 miles.
DESCRIPTION PART# REMARKS
Fuel Injector Cleaner 0000 77 2019 case of 12 cans
Tool kit 0000 77 2026 w/ instructions
(req'd for use with the cleaner)
Service brochures 9999 95 043N 92 QTY: 1 package = 50
brochures
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
10. FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER
Service bulletin #001/93, Category F
Applies to all fuel injected models
To improve fuel injection performance, Mazda has tested and
approved a highly effective fuel injector cleaner. The kit and
cleaner is recommended for all Mazda fuel injection systems.
Mazda's fuel injector cleaner uses a chemical reducing agent
rather than the common solvent used in typical aftermarket
cleaners. As a result, in tests against aftermarket competitors,
Mazda's cleaner outperformed all others and was the only one to
restore the fuel injector's flow rate to original factory specs.
Mazda recommends cleaning injectors every 15,000 miles.
DESCRIPTION PART# REMARKS
Fuel Injector Cleaner 0000 77 2019 case of 12 cans
Tool kit 0000 77 2026 w/ instructions
(req'd for use with the cleaner)
Service brochures 9999 95 043N 92 QTY: 1 package = 50
brochures
----------------------------------------------------------
If you're having issues nothing is going to help short of pulling them and sending them out.
it really depends on general maintenance, if there's junk in the tank then you're pretty much boned and will need to have them periodically serviced.
out in the desert with very little humidity the tanks were the only parts that would rust, you could leave a car in the desert for 50 years with no paint and it would barely have any rust at all otherwise.
out in the desert with very little humidity the tanks were the only parts that would rust, you could leave a car in the desert for 50 years with no paint and it would barely have any rust at all otherwise.
Rotorhead
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Yes
Don't bother.
If you want them cleaned, then send them out for cleaning and flow testing.
If you just want to maintain clean injectors, then use Top Tier gas:
Licensed Brands | Top Tier Gas
Don't bother.
If you want them cleaned, then send them out for cleaning and flow testing.
If you just want to maintain clean injectors, then use Top Tier gas:
Licensed Brands | Top Tier Gas
I've used fuel stabilizer during several long trips overseas to great effect. The car started up like new everytime I returned until I blew the engine...
If you're looking for an octane booster I think you'd be better off finding a place to buy racing fuel.
-Colin
If you're looking for an octane booster I think you'd be better off finding a place to buy racing fuel.
-Colin
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Same goes for me, never notice a difference when used on any of the vehicles i tried them with.
If you really want your fuel system cleaned, then take it apart and clean properly, remove injectors and get them cleaned by a shop, same for the tank.
If you really want your fuel system cleaned, then take it apart and clean properly, remove injectors and get them cleaned by a shop, same for the tank.
I've been using a can of BG 44K at every oil change. Its an excellent product and I believe in the product. The way I look at it is that it can't really hurt anything and keeping the fuel system clean is huge for me because I have a lot of cars and a lot of those cars do sit for periods of time. The 44K helps to eliminate varnish buildup and does help with carbon buildup. Its not a cure all but I believe that it does help.
^ Agreed. It's maintenance, not repair. If your injectors are sticking it's not likely going to fix it anymore than a fresh oil change will cure worn bearings. And like any other such product, some are better than others.
