Fuel system flush?

Maintenance/Repairs
21

I remain unconvinced that today’s fuels can’t be relied upon to keep the fuel system clean for a great many miles. However, I recognize that many people routinely allow their fuel tanks to run almost to empty before putting more in. No fuel is perfectly free of contamination, and contaminants heavier than the fuel do fall to the bottom, where they can be stirred back up and move through the system in al most a concentrated form with the few gallons of fuel remaining. In those cases where injectors and/or fuel lines become gummed up I would suspect as a root cause the aforementioned habits.

I didn’t mention this in my previous post because in cases where no operating symptoms are present I truly believe that fuel system flushes are really wallet flushes.

22

throttle bodies get dirty . . . no matter what brand of fuel you use

throttle bodies get dirty . . . even if you’ve always got a full tank of fuel

The idea that dirty throttle bodies only happen to bad people is just a stupid urban myth

Just like the urban myth about warped rotors and out-of-round drums ONLY happening to guys that use an air impact wrench to run down the lug nuts

Just like the urban myth that failed fuel pumps only happen to people that perpetually drive their car with a low fuel level

Just like the urban myth that plugged injectors only happen to people that perpetually drive with low fuel levels

Everybody is free to believe what they want to

:grimace:

23

Db4690 has my vote on all points. :smiley:

24

Db, do not put words in my mouth. That’s a very bad habit of yours that you’ve done before and it says bad things about your attitude.

Never have I ever said or implied that any car problems of any kind only happen to bad people.

And I’ve never said or agreed that warped rotors and out-of-round drums ONLY happening to guys that use an air impact wrench to run down the lug nuts. I know better than that.

And I have never said that failed fuel pumps only happen to people that perpetually drive their car with a low fuel level, although I do recommend that they not do so, only people who perpetually let their cars run out of gas… which, if you look at the literature provided by fuel pump manufacturers will be confirmed. As a matter of fact, the most common cause of fuel pump failure in modern cars just might be ignoring the CEL while it’s trying to warn you that the tank won’t vent.

If you disagree with me about the ability of modern fuels to keep the system clean and operating properly, that’s fine. Just disagree. Explain why if you’d like. But don’t keep putting words in my mouth and otherwise insulting me with irrelevant comments used in an attempt to make me look like an idiot. They’re saying more about you than they are about me.

25

mountainbike

I’m not insulting anybody in particular, but I could understand if somebody chose to read it that way

Sorry if you read it that way

I never attributed those urban myths to you specifically, or anybody else, for that matter

There’s a colleague of mine who believes those urban myths, for example. Please don’t assume everything negative is aimed at you specifically. How do you know I wasn’t thinking of him

In fact, my last post wasn’t even addressed to anybody in particular

If you feel I have a bad attitude, well that’s fine. We’re all entitled to have our own opinions about other people. Even people we have never seen face to face.

“in an attempt to make me look like an idiot.”

What makes you think this revolves around you? What makes you think some strongly worded comments you don’t agree with and don’t like were meant specifically for you and nobody else?

Please don’t try to make this about you. There’s lots of people on this forum, and I’m not always talking to one specific individual

If you want to label me a bad boy, fine. I’ll go sit in the corner without my supper

But keep one thing in mind, please. If memory serves me correctly, I seem to recall when I’m talking to you specifically, I usually say “mountainbike” at the beginning of my post, like I did here

You’ll notice my post which you find so disturbing does not have “mountainbike” at the top

I know I often rub people the wrong way, and I don’t need you to tell me what I already know

I’m aware of many of my shortcomings, which is more than some people can say

Again, I’m not talking about you or anybody in particular

Please don’t try to make this about you, because it isn’t

26

Explanation accepted. If I incorrectly interpreted your post as a response to my post, I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Now, on to helping others.

27

mountainbike

I don’t think I could stay mad at you for very long, for what it’s worth

:smiley:

28

Thanks. The same back at ya’.
I have great respect for your clearly solid technical foundation, your experience, and your expertise. Sometimes I just take things personally when I shouldn’t.

And now, on to the people with car problems to solve.
{:slight_smile:

29

Hey, cool, we’re not only solving car problems here, but relationship issues as well!

30

^^^ Both of you are high on many regulars’ list.

31

@db4690 @ok4450 OK, but the problem still remains: How is a consumer to know whether they actually need the cleaning or the tech is trying to fleece money out of them?

This is a very common snake oil recommendation because it’s profitable and unlikely to cause damage.

32

IMHO if you’re not having operating problems, you don’t need the flush. Some may feel it’s good preventative maintenance. The problem with many things automotive is that they’re not “black and white”. There are a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge, and as a result many different conclusions result.

If you feel cleaning the fuel system occasionally is valid preventative maintenance, to me it makes more sense to add a name-brand fuel system cleaner to the gas tank once or twice a year. It’s only a few bucks and won’t harm anything. Well worth the cost if it helps you sleep better.

33

Fuel system cleaner won’t clean the gunk that gathers on the throttle from the PCV system
I think cleaning the throttle body and perhaps the MAF sensor is good preventive maintenance every 100k miles or so.

34

Well, for now, since I’m not having any noticeable problems, I’m going to try the $12 can of Sea Foam for preventative maintenance. I will probably spring for the brake system flush in August when I have to go in for inspection, because I know about that. As for the intake, throttle, etc, going to see if there’s a way I can visually check it. I do appreciate all the input.