APS Racing Products

Is the fuel injection cleaner you buy at an auto store the same they use at the mechanics?

The one they try to charge you over 100 dollars to clean your fuel injection with? It only costs 2 or 3 bucks at auto zone

Public Comments

1. No, it's not the same at all. The stuff you buy at the store is just an additive that is supposed to clean the injectors as the fuel goes through. What they do at the shop is an actual service... Here is a good description in an article that is aimed at the auto repair shop. The service will vary depending on where you go. Some places just clean them, other places clean and inspect the fuel system. http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic30336.htm PS. I am not a big fan of fuel injection cleaning services or anything, I have never had it done. I have never used an additive either, so I can't tell you any differences. I do know that quicky lube shops add this service as a quick money maker. They don't do the best job of it and they really don't know what they are doing. I would only get the service done if it was proven that the injectors actually needed it. I don't see any manufactures recommending this service on a regular basis, like the shops do. Some manufactures even say that there is no need for it.
2. Great question that I can comment on, in that we shouldn't believe claims about what a product does without comparing the research data available across all the competing products. So if BG for example wants to charge $100 for a chemical treatment of one sort or another, we should demand that they tell us what chemicals are contained in their product and at what concentration levels. Then they should publish the laboratory test results taken over thousands of applications and vehicles for us to evaluate the effectiveness of the product. I'm not saying whether a chemical treatment is worth it or not. I'm just saying I'm not willing to take the manufacturer's word for it without full product disclosure and published laboratory test results for the world to see.
3. the stuff we chare you 100 dollars for is in my case three different things, one intake cleaner cleans carbon from air inlets and egr ports within intake manifold, 2nd is a fuel injector and fuel rail cleaner and does not claen manifolds does help intake cleaner clean valves though, 3rd is an additive put in tank to help neutralize rust and corosion in fuel system and act as a power enhancer( not octane booster that you get at auto zone) a nother way to clean fuel injectors is to run a high octane fuel for a whole tank, but the stuff from autozone doesnt clean intakes much at alljust injectors and valves
4. If you're using a quality fuel of the correct octane for your vehicle, and performing your recommended maintenance (oil changes, fuel and air filters etc.) then you most likely have no need whatsoever for a fuel injection cleaning. Also, the higher octane fuels do not contain any magical cleaners that lower octane fuel does not. All gasoline sold in the US has to meet detergent standards set by the federal government. Using a higher octane fuel in a vehicle that does not require it can have adverse results. Higher octane fuel is only needed when your owner's manual requires it.