Fuel additive to keep fuel injector clean

Does anybody use any type of fuel additive specifically to keep the fuel injector clean? If so, what do you use?

Why would you feel the need to do that?

Are you talking about something to use to store the bike for long periods of time, or just everyday use type stuff?

I use 'Techron' additive from Chevron now and again...
not the pre-mixed 'injector cleaner' stuff... the 'real' stuff.

It cleans carbon from the head/piston/valves too.

motokid wrote:

Why would you feel the need to do that?

Are you talking about something to use to store the bike for long periods of time, or just everyday use type stuff?

I have seen plenty of info about storing the bike. I am talking about something for everyday use.

i have a customer that reports good results using motul fuel system cleaner in his ktm 250sx-f. lots of car forums and such report lower build ups in intake, ect and even cleaner carby's in non injected models.

In saying that i have no first hand experience.

RattTongue wrote:

I am talking about something for everyday use.

So back to my question. Why would you feel the need for this?
Have you had issues in the past with clogged fuel injectors?
Have you read where that's a common problem with our bikes?


I'm asking because I've not seen or heard about any issues around this topic.

motokid wrote:

So back to my question. Why would you feel the need for this?
Have you had issues in the past with clogged fuel injectors?
Have you read where that's a common problem with our bikes?


I'm asking because I've not seen or heard about any issues around this topic.

I also haven't heard or read anything... either way, pro or con. This is my first dual sport bike and I am just asking to make sure that it is not considered common knowledge/practice like changing the oil (what your not using xyz additive!?!?!?!?).

I am not having any problems right now. This last weekend I did have a real hard time starting it which has NEVER happened. Usually it cranks right up but when I went to start it cranked and cranked. Only change I can think of was that it was a little cool. It really wasn't that cold (50-60 degrees) and once I got it started it was fine the rest of the weekend. A neighbor came over when he saw me having problems and as we were trying to diagnose it, he did mention the possibility of a clogged injector which is what planted the question in my head about a fuel additive. The only other thing I can think of was that it had not ran for any length of time for about two weeks. I had put a new battery in 3 days prior and started it up w/o any problems, but I only ran it for about 1-2 minutes.

I also read an article in Dirt Bike magazine recently talking about the paradigm shift from carbs to FI and the new set of problems being introduced, one of which is obviously clogged injectors.

Did some quick google searches and found plenty of warnings about some additives and cleaners that can be very destructive to internal working parts of fuel pumps. Stuff made out of nylon and such.

Before using any such product I'd do shit-loads of research.

That's kinda what I was looking for. Before I just started dumping something into my tank I wanted to find out what others were doing (or not doing).

{ I had put a new battery in 3 days prior and started it up w/o any problems, but I only ran it for about 1-2 minutes.}



I recently did an oil change but did not get to finish pulling the oil bleeder bolt. So, I came back the next day, pulled the bolt, started it up, oil flowed, shut it off, and replaced the bolt. It ran a total of about 10 seconds.

On the following day, I went to start it and all it did was crank. Eventually, it finally came to life, but reluctantly. I attribute it to my 10 second run that interrupted the natural order of things that occur when a cold engine is fired up. Perhaps, you had a similar experience even though you ran the engine longer than I did.

Perhaps. Kinda funny but when I got to the trails this last weekend there was a guy there with a brand new Yamaha four wheeler with FI. He couldn't get his started either. He also had fired it up for about 15 seconds the day before. He ended up running up to a local auto parts store and getting a new plug since it was apparently fouled out, probably from trying to start it at the trails.

most all modern name brands of gas have detergents in thier mix to "keep your engine clean" and the no-name brands all come out of the same set of pipelines most brands use in the eastern u.s. only real diff between them is the soap added at a later time before delivery to your corner station. ive never been a big beliver in snake oils.

I've always used seafoam on all of my vehicles and only had good experiences. Never used it on the 250 since the bike is pretty new.

I have always had great luck with Seafoam and Chevron Techron - whether for storage, cleaning out old gummed-up carbs/injectors, or just as a regular precautionary maintenance additive. For whatever reason, these two products seem to always come out on top in real-world (albeit admittedly anecdotal) discussions on various MC forums...

I use Lucas cylinder lubricant with injection cleaner and fuel conditioner in everything that has a spark plug.

I have used Marvyn's Miracle Oil in the past and had success with it as well.

"Success" being that none of my bikes (NA or FI'd) have had recurring issues related to the use of gasoline with ethanol.

I do start and run them all (for a lap around the block or so) monthly during dormant use periods.

The FCR carburetors (Honda CRFs and my KTM) are about as sensitive as carburetors get (having many plastic parts) and I've experienced no degradative symptoms over their life.

The EFI'd WR and the R1 also seem immune to any negative influence as well.

X-Racer wrote:

I use Lucas cylinder lubricant with injection cleaner and fuel conditioner in everything that has a spark plug.

I have used Marvyn's Miracle Oil in the past and had success with it as well.

"Success" being that none of my bikes (NA or FI'd) have had recurring issues related to the use of gasoline with ethanol.

I do start and run them all (for a lap around the block or so) monthly during dormant use periods.

The FCR carburetors (Honda CRFs and my KTM) are about as sensitive as carburetors get (having many plastic parts) and I've experienced no degradative symptoms over their life.

The EFI'd WR and the R1 also seem immune to any negative influence as well.

Marvels Mystery Oil?

Okay... That one. :)

motokid wrote:

RattTongue wrote:

I am talking about something for everyday use.

So back to my question. Why would you feel the need for this?
Have you had issues in the past with clogged fuel injectors?
Have you read where that's a common problem with our bikes?


I'm asking because I've not seen or heard about any issues around this topic.

The EPA established minimum detergency levels for gasoline in 1995 that created a lot of problems for some auto makers. The EPA detergency levels were too low to keep the injectors clean and the automakers had to shell out lots of money in warranty claims for injector and intake valve deposit problems. Automakers got together and decided to form their own detergency standard calling it "Top Tier":

http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html

The website has details, including gasoline retailers that meet the standard. If you don't buy gas from one of the top tier retailers it's good sense to use an injector cleaner like Chevron Techron every few months. In California, the CARB minimum detergency limit is twice the federal level, and IMO it's less imperative to buy from a top tier retailer or use injector cleaner regularly.

FYI, Chevron and Texaco are now the same company. Gas from either of these type gas stations will provide the same additives in the gasoline. And , yes, there is lots of testing to show that Techron does a pretty darn good job of keeping things clean. I suspect Exxon would be very good as well.

I have also used Seafoam in my KLR and it seemed to do a good job with no ill effects.