chicksmom

I really need help here. I just took my 1998 venture to the shop because of the Service engine soon light was on. and kind of idleing (sp?) rough. first they changed the spark plugs, then the wires. I had a diagnostic ran and the codes that came up was PO300 cylinder misfire. Supposed to have fixed the problem. but later that day light came on again. still rough idleing. and missing. he mentioned at the time that It might need fuel injectors cleaned... I put a fuel injector cleaner from the parts store in it, the concentrated kind. How long does it take to see a difference. I have went through 1/2 a tank of gas and still the same problem, no improvement. I was wondering if there was an easy way for a Lady to do it herself?? is there a special additive you can add or something to get rid of deposits??? any help would be greatly appreciated. I have only had the van for a week and a half and the previous owner did not tell me about the problem. He said it has a rebuilt motor, with only 32,000 miles on it. There cant be too much build up yet can there??? thanks alot.

ggcatt

Sometimes the oxygen sensor in the exhaust goes bad, causing rough idling as you describe. You should have a code that tells you to change the sensor if that's the case. Definitely a job for a mechanic.

jjchevy

Try Lucas fuel injector cleaner. If it really is dirty fuel injectors this stuff is the best there is. Remember the small bottle is good for up to 20 gallons and you have a 25 gallon tank add a bottle and a half and drive it until almost empty. If the injectors are dirty you will start to notice a difference within 50-100 miles

cdru

Putting something in the gas tank will probably do little or nothing but remove the padding in your wallet. You are diluting a couple of ounces of chemicals in 25 gallons of fuel. Figure an 8 oz bottle in 25 gallons, that's like a .0025 oz of cleaner per oz of fuel.

Also consider the fact that gas in an of itself is a solvent. Adding another petroleum based solvent in a diluted form isn't likely to do a significant amount of cleaning. To clean them best, a undiluted solvent should be direcltly used. The best method is to actually take them off and have them professionally cleaned.

If you do feel it's necessary to clean them with a gas additive, add it to an almost empty tank. The concentration will be higher that way. If the problem is slight, it might be enough to disolve light residue. If there is a particle doing the clogging, you might have to take it out.

'97ventureowner

If you are going to add any cleaner in your tank DO NOT put it in an empty tank. Put the cleaner in a full tank of fuel, or as you prepare to fill the tank at the gas station. Fuel injected vehicles use an electric fuel pump in the tank. The pump passes the fuel through the pump windings to cool the pump. The fuel cleaner can eat the varnish insulation off the fuel pump armature windings and damage the pump, or rendering it useless. Auto manufacturers make sure that the additives found in pump gas won't hurt the pump, but do not run any tests with the aftermarket cleaners. Sometimes the apparent damage to the pump from adding the fuel cleaner on an empty tank may take a few days to manifest itself, thereby posing the risk of becoming stranded. Use the fuel cleaner as little as possible. Constant unneccessary use can accelerate problems with fuel pump failure. Not all aftermarket fuel additives are harmful, but why take the chance in discovering the one you are using is one that will eventually cause damage?

__________________
Thought for the Day… Alcohol does not make you fat - It makes you lean... against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people.

It's Oktoberfest time !!


If a prostitute here in America loses her job to a prostitute in India , is that considered "outwhoring"??-Jay Leno

" A Good Thing To Know"

cdru

I wasn't implying adding it to an bone dry tank or nearly dry. I guess I shouldn't have said almost empty. I guess I should have made my self a little more clear. Most fuel addatives are designed for a 10-15 gallon tank, not a 25 gallon tank that is common. I wouldn't put the addative in a full tank, more like a 3/8-1/2 tank when you would have between 8-12 gallons left.

Run it down towards empty to use up as much of the addative as possible before refueling/diluting it, but also be mindful that running it completely empty is also hard on the pump as it uses the fuel as a coolant as well.