Kia Injector Fluid?

[BBB]

So I have my second service tomorrow and the service department is wanting to add injector fluid as part of the service. I've never used this stuff in the past. I see this as an up-sell. Any need for this stuff?

 

[Soca Boy]

I use it my Honda and Ford Focus every six months. It helps to remove carbon deposits, it’s part of service 2 and 3.

 

[Helo58]

I would be interested to know as well. My last car had port and direct injection that cut down on carbon buildup. I'm not sure what to expect with a FI turbo motor with direct injection only.

 

[Rob M]

Kia has released TSB recommending adding 12 oz Techron Concentrate Plus fuel system cleaner at every 7500 mile oil change interval if Top Tier fuel is not available. I recently added a bottle to my tank since I'm currently not using top tier fuels that often. The biggest question here is how much does the dealer charge to pour a $5 bottle into your tank since the TSB indicates this as KIA's procedure for full fuel system cleaning,

 

[mldavis2]

I think @Rob M answered this correctly. The Techron is recommended IF you are not able to use "Top Tier" fuels which contain additives to prevent carbon deposits. I use only top tier fuel (see the list here toptiergas.com) but will also throw a bottle of Techron in every 15K or so.

If you do use Techron, it is a very powerful solvent so some precautions are best observed. I use it only on long trips where it will be circulated through the system on a full tank run so it does not sit in the system for days at a time where it can corrode seals or engine parts. You should also pour it into the tank just before filling the tank so the fuel is well mixed with the Techron, not afterwards on a full tank.

Buy it at any auto parts store and do it yourself. No need to pay double for the Techron and labor to pour it in.

 

[eflyguy]

Kia has released TSB recommending adding 12 oz Techron Concentrate Plus fuel system cleaner at every 7500 mile oil change interval if Top Tier fuel is not available.

It doesn't even need a TSB - it's in the owners manual to add every 6000 miles if Top Tier fuel is not available.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Anything that is put into your fuel tank and claims to reduce or clean carbon build up is snake oil, DI motors to not see fuel spray on the valves. The only thing a fuel treatment will clean is the actual injector nozzles.

As for Kia's recommendation, as echoed above, if you're not using top tier fuel with added detergents, I would use this since it is dictated in the owners manual and Kia could revoke warranty if they claim (or can prove) a lack of additives or their supplement (not used) causes issues with the engine.

 

[mldavis2]

Anything that is put into your fuel tank and claims to reduce or clean carbon build up is snake oil, DI motors to not see fuel spray on the valves. The only thing a fuel treatment will clean is the actual injector nozzles.

As for Kia's recommendation, as echoed above, if you're not using top tier fuel with added detergents, I would use this since it is dictated in the owners manual and Kia could revoke warranty if they claim (or can prove) a lack of additives or their supplement (not used) causes issues with the engine.

The biggest problem with DI engines is not injector nozzle clogging, it's valve stem deposits.

 

[Mike_TX]

How does it affect the valve stems, since it's injected directly into the combustion chamber? It therefore bypasses the valve stems, whereas port injection directs the fuel along the stems on their way into the combustion chamber.

 

[Revvdmedia]

How does it affect the valve stems, since it's injected directly into the combustion chamber? It therefore bypasses the valve stems, whereas port injection directs the fuel along the stems on their way into the combustion chamber.

The valves in theory never see a spray of fuel in direct injection. I saw a theory once that a spray of fuel (probably dependent on the injector location) that happens when the intake valve is open, with all the swirly vortex of air could theoretically cause spray to hit the valve while open, but I think that's a pipe dream.

Regardless of DI, injector fluid will only "clean" the injector spray nozzle, nothing more. Because Kia calls it out, if anyone is using non top-tier gas, they technically need to do this service due to the manufacturer requirement.

 

[eflyguy]

I also saw something where the injector was fired briefly while the intake valve was open in order to "splash" the intake side, but have never been able to find that again.

That said - the fuel/air mix is not dependent on flow over the intake valve if the fuel is being injected directly into the cylinder, and I would argue a boosted intake system is less prone to "interference" from valve deposits.

 

[SteveCo]

The 'Kia Pro-Series Fuel Injection System Treatment' fuel additive shown as part of Service 2 is just to clean the fuel system up through the injectors. The service sheet provided by the dealer lists a separate Additional Service (not part of Services 1-4) for 'Major Fuel Induction Service', recommended at 36 months/36,000 km. That's the one that is going to address GDI valve accretions.

 

[Helo58]

Has anyone noticed a difference on the Stinger (or a previous DI car) by using a catch-can to reduce the oily intake "air" and reduce valve deposits? Also, once deposits are there, has anyone used Seafoam or a like product to clean the intake side of the engine?

 

[mfenske]

I'm bumping this back from the dead-scheduled to have the injectors cleaned at next service. Anyone know if they actually clean them or just pour in a bottle of Techron?

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I'm bumping this back from the dead-scheduled to have the injectors cleaned at next service. Anyone know if they actually clean them or just pour in a bottle of Techron?

If you are using top tier gasoline you shouldn't need injector service. As far as intake valves go, the only way to properly clean them is to remove intake manifold and clean them manually. Cleaned mine at 40k miles when changing plugs and there were quite a lot of buildup on them.

 

[cjbigcog]

What was your cleaning process?

 

[mfenske]

If you are using top tier gasoline you shouldn't need injector service. As far as intake valves go, the only way to properly clean them is to remove intake manifold and clean them manually. Cleaned mine at 40k miles when changing plugs and there were quite a lot of buildup on them.

I did the Sea Foam at about 10k. I'm thinking you meant something else?

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I did the Sea Foam at about 10k. I'm thinking you meant something else?

No matter what you put into gas tank, it is not gonna clean the valves. Some people spray sea foam into air intake. I don't belive it is doing anything either. After i removed the manifold and let the valves soak for 2 hours, i still had to scrape all the crap off the valves. So i just dont see, how spraying, whatever cleaner you are using, while the engine is working and sucking all the cleaner right into combustion chamber, is doing anything, but burning it inside the cylinders.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

What was your cleaning process?

Remove upper and lower sections of intake manifold. Let the valves (closed ports) soak in the cleaner for 2 hours, and than use old tooth brush and metal picks to scrape the valves. Rotate the engine, to close the open ports,and repeat the process.

 

[ChaneRZ]

Catch can