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Deep cleaned my injectors for $15

J

jana519

Senior member
So this weekend I did a major tune up on the 940. Air filter, plugs and wires, fuel filter, vacuum hoses, and PVC valve got replaced. I also did something that I last did 2 years ago, on a different car: remove the fuel rail and soak the injectors in acetone.

For some reason, this time it occurred to me my method wasn't very good. I realized the acetone doesn't flow through the nozzle as it sprays. Checking online found a flow bench service that deep cleans them for $17.50 each when you mail them in.

I put the rail back on and drove until the fuel light went on, then I drove for ten more miles. Then I dumped a half gallon of acetone into the tank and drove around for another 5 miles, revving up to 4000 RPM on and off.

After about 5 minutes I noticed a difference, smoother revving and acceleration. I filled up the tank and the car is driving much better now. The acetone treatment made a noticeable difference, much more so than any fuel injector cleaner I've purchased for $6-7.

The engine still feels slightly tired at 158K. I think the next home treatment is Seafoam on the valves to clean all the crud and carbon deposits out.

So to sum up, for a $15 treatment that doesn't require any wrenching, I'm getting smoother acceleration and better fuel economy.
 
i'm slightly surprised your engine didn't give you the middle finger. wouldn't have expected the car to run on acetone (plus it may eat rubber fuel lines and things).
 
Yeah. I read about the possible rubber damage and decided to take a calculated risk. It was only in my fuel lines for about 15 minutes, tops. So far no leaks.

As far as damaging the engine, I didn't think it would do that. Basically acetone is a combustible fuel similar to gasoline in many regards. Right?
 
Rifter said:
that is a horrible idea...... it eats rubber.....
Click to expand...

Does it?

I'm Googling "acetone rubber." It melts plastic and Styrofoam. I'm not finding anything scientific on rubber. I mean if the treatment really works, and there's no hard evidence it dissolves rubber, it's a huge cost saver.

I'll try dipping fuel line rubber in acetone and seeing what happens.
 
jana519 said:
Does it?

I'm Googling "acetone rubber." It melts plastic and Styrofoam. I'm not finding anything scientific on rubber. I mean if the treatment really works, and there's no hard evidence it dissolves rubber, it's a huge cost saver.

I'll try dipping fuel line rubber in acetone and seeing what happens.
Click to expand...

go get a balloon and pour some acetone on it and let me know how that works out for you.

Also plastic is worse, parts of the pump, and maybe even the gas tank itself could be plastic
 
Last edited:
Seafoam is a waste of money, look at the can, says it is good for 100's of uses . give me a break. SNAKE OIL;!!
 
Use the right stuff for the right application.

Fuel injection hose 30R9 used in tank, suppose to be 30R10.

IMG_6643.JPG

IMG_6642.JPG

IMG_6644.JPG

Cut open with my finger!
IMG_6646.JPG
 
jana519 said:
Yeah. I read about the possible rubber damage and decided to take a calculated risk. It was only in my fuel lines for about 15 minutes, tops. So far no leaks.

As far as damaging the engine, I didn't think it would do that. Basically acetone is a combustible fuel similar to gasoline in many regards. Right?
Click to expand...

It may combust like gasoline in the sense that it theoretically produces CO2 and H2O, but that doesn't mean it combusts in the same way. different stabilities, flame propagations, etc. engines are tuned for gasoline in very specific ways. which is why i'm surprised your engine didn't blow.

jana519 said:
Does it?

I'm Googling "acetone rubber." It melts plastic and Styrofoam. I'm not finding anything scientific on rubber. I mean if the treatment really works, and there's no hard evidence it dissolves rubber, it's a huge cost saver.

I'll try dipping fuel line rubber in acetone and seeing what happens.
Click to expand...

strong solvents will eat away at plastics over time. there's a reason you don't use carb cleaner (a strong solvent) on the carburetors without disassembly - it will destroy all the gaskets.
you also may subject your lines to stress-corrosion cracking.
 
Well I ran it in my engine and my engine didn't blow. I'm not seeing the hard science to support your theory about being bad for combustion. I don't think the combustion properties are so drastically different from gasoline that it would destroy a stock factory engine.

Or maybe the reason it didn't blow up was just because baby Jesus worked a Christmas miracle.

I do think it is bad for the rubber lines and O rings though. But that's why I only ran it very briefly.
 
jana519 said:
Does it?

I'm Googling "acetone rubber." It melts plastic and Styrofoam. I'm not finding anything scientific on rubber. I mean if the treatment really works, and there's no hard evidence it dissolves rubber, it's a huge cost saver.

I'll try dipping fuel line rubber in acetone and seeing what happens.
Click to expand...


Here are a couple of references for sealants and various chemicals...you'll actually have to scroll through for acetone and various rubber compounds. But long story short, acetone and most rubbers are unsatisfactory combinations. And the effect isn't immediate...takes time for the rubber to decay.

Anyway:

http://www.tss.trelleborg.com/remot...ipt/catalogsbrochures/mat_chem_comp_gb_en.pdf
(Scroll to page 8 for compat. chart.)

http://mykin.com/rubber-chemical-resistance-chart
 
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