Fuel Treatment clogged my Injectors!!??

[promogirl]

I have a 91 corvette I only use couple months out of the year in summer. Since the gas was kind of old in the tank I bought a fuel system treatment. I then filled the tank up and drove around for a few hours to use up the tank. I then turned the car off in a parking lot for a few mins. and went to start it and kept pressing my foot on the gas, but it would not "rev". I had to have it towed!! Now the service guy looking at it is saying the injectors are probably all clogged and I may have to spend $2,000 to fix this!! How could this be? Wouldn't there be a "warning" on the box of fuel treatment if this were a possible danger to using this product?? Could the problem be something else? I never had a problem with the vette prior to this, and it only has 67,000 original miles.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (I'm sick about this!!)

[Rimmer]

I would check the fuel filter. If any crud came loose the filter shud have caught it.

I think you could buy all new injectors for less than 2 grand. I'd get another opinion.

Just my opinion.

[ikeyballz]

ive heard of that happening... specially when the car is already old.

[promogirl]

He did replace the fuel filter, and said there was alot of "crud" on it. Now it's been sitting at his shop and he hasn't touched it in a week (initially said 3 days).I would love to tell him I'm taking it elsewhere, but since it's not running good right now, I'd have to be on the safe side and have a flat bead remove it, so I'm stuck. I'll probably end up having him replace all the injectors, but I'll never know if that was indeed the problem, or if blowing out the line could have solved the problem. Seems like 90% of mechanics treat women customers like second class citizens.

[Rimmer]

Originally Posted by promogirl

He did replace the fuel filter, and said there was alot of "crud" on it. Now it's been sitting at his shop and he hasn't touched it in a week (initially said 3 days).I would love to tell him I'm taking it elsewhere, but since it's not running good right now, I'd have to be on the safe side and have a flat bead remove it, so I'm stuck. I'll probably end up having him replace all the injectors, but I'll never know if that was indeed the problem, or if blowing out the line could have solved the problem. Seems like 90% of mechanics treat women customers like second class citizens.

If you do have him replace the injectors make sure you get the original old ones & not some others. Then you can have them checked to confirm what this guy says. You can't trust anybody anymore. Dio you have any male friends that can help you out? Possibly they know of a trustworthy mechanic. If your that worried about this guy tow it to somebody else for a second opinion.

Good luck.

[Blue Bowtie]

Originally Posted by promogirl

I have a 91 corvette I only use couple months out of the year in summer. Since the gas was kind of old in the tank I bought a fuel system treatment. I then filled the tank up and drove around for a few hours to use up the tank. I then turned the car off in a parking lot for a few mins. and went to start it and kept pressing my foot on the gas, but it would not "rev". I had to have it towed!!

Do not depress the accelerator to start an electronically fuel injected engine. The instructions are in the Owner's Manual. Depressing the accelerator actually CUTS fuel rather than enriching the starting mixture.

Originally Posted by promogirl

Now the service guy looking at it is saying the injectors are probably all clogged and I may have to spend $2,000 to fix this!! How could this be?

Injectors on an L98 are not difficult to change. $2,000 is ridiculous. You can get a new set of injectors for $450. Unless those servicing the vehicle are slower than the average worker (cannot meet flat rate) there is no way the balance of the job should cost that much. The necessary gaskets to replace those removed when the intake plenum and one set of runners is removed should cost about $40. Another new fuel filter (which you'll need) should be about $15. You do the math. Flat rate for an injector and filter change is 6 hours. Even a Chevrolet dealership would be more cost effective. Furthermore, they might even take the time to diagnose the problem rather than guess the injectors might be clogged. That is a definite possibility, but there are methods to determine that, even on the older ECMs like that in your '91.

Originally Posted by promogirl

Wouldn't there be a "warning" on the box of fuel treatment if this were a possible danger to using this product??

The only warning you'll get is the one in the vehicle Owner's Manual, specifying that you not use fuel additives. The makers of these aftermarket "Miracle in a Bottle" products are not going to tell you anything to dissuade you from purchasing their crap, err, products.

Originally Posted by promogirl

Could the problem be something else? I never had a problem with the vette prior to this, and it only has 67,000 original miles.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (I'm sick about this!!)

Yes, there are numerous other possibilities, including the TPS, MAP, weak ignition, restricted exhaust, fuel pressure regulator, and any number of other possibilities. Unfortunately, none of us has the vehicle at their disposal for testing, and those currently working on it (or in your case, NOT working on it) are apparently guessing.

If they can convince you that the injectors are indeed the problem, suggest supplying the replacements yourself. You may want to advise them that you will not pay for parts you do not need (paying for their lack of diagnosis). I'm guessing they'll ask you to take your business elsewhere, which may be the best solution regardless. I have an '86 TPI, and I had to clean the injectors at 18,000 miles. It currently has 48K on the odometer, so it gets used very little as well. I keep a clean fuel filter, use a fuel stabilizer just before seasonal storage, and add some two-cycle oil to protect the injectors and fuel pump. It's worked well for me over the last 13 years.

[ikeyballz]

yeah, if you use the cleaners periodically its not a bad thing.. but when there already stuff building up..and the injector cleaners take all of those off.. where can it go but to the fuel filter->injectors?!