Is it really worth performing a fuel system cleaning?

First of all the answer is yes, it is worth performing a fuel system cleaning, if it is done completely and correctly, however there are different types of cleaning services. Most of the time they are not performing a complete cleaning service, and in fact they are not cleaning the fuel system they are cleaning the intake system - they probably don't even know the difference. I do not like the sales tactics used by many Franchise type repair shops to sell an otherwise legitimate service, making it sound like you have a problem and making it sound like they are doing more than they are. A truly complete and thorough service is time consuming and much more costly than $89, done right it is worth every penny! All internal combustion engines build up carbon deposits in the intake manifold, throttle plates, backs of the intake valves, top of the pistons and the fuel injectors. The most common cleaning service is a chemical drip, that is the bottle of chemical is attached via a hose to the intake and with the engine running the chemical is drawn into the engine trough the intake, past the valves and into the combustion chamber. That is what you will get for $89, and if the tech physically cleans the throttle plates with chemical and a brush prior to doing the drip then it is a good service and good value, however, this does NOT clean the fuel system (nothing is going through the injectors, unless they add a can to the gas tank)and one can of chemical isn't enough in most cases to do the job thoroughly. The only way the fuel system can be cleaned is by running chemical through the fuel injectors, either by adding it to the tank or running the engine from special equipment that is hooked into the fuel lines on your car and runs the chemical into the injectors. A "complete fuel system cleaning" consists of two parts, a top engine clean and a fuel injection clean. At best a drip service is a minor top engine cleaning, if they physically clean the throttle plates at the same time, it is a good value and will help, not hurt your car or pocket book. The next best service is a thorough top engine/throttle body cleaning: the throttle plates are physically cleaned with chemical and a brush, then while the engine is running the chemical is flooded into the intake a little at a time until the engine stalls (this wets the carbon on the valves and pistons) and after letting the chemical soak for 15-20 minutes the engine is started back up and run with the chemical drip, burning off the loosened carbon and excess chemical. The whole process take about an hour and uses two-three cans of chemical, and no way will you get this for $89, the chemical alone is nearly that much. A can of chemical can be added to the tank for cleaning the injectors, this is the best value and will clean the injectors over a period, of time but if they are really dirty (you would notice symptoms like hesitation, stalling, misfire) it is not as effective as cleaning the injectors with special equipment by running chemical thru the injectors while the car is running. The most complete (and costly) is combining the top engine clean i described above and hooking up special equipment the run chemical thru the injectors, the high concentration of chemical thru the injectors cleans the fastest and best (on the car). A minor Throttle body and drip cleaning is a good service about every 60k mile on any car, a more thorough top engine clean around 150k or if the car is run short distances and lots of stop and go traffic. Ad a can of 100% Techron to your tank every so often should keep the injectors clean. i only recommend injector clean with special equipment when i have identified driveability problems related to the fuel delivery. That's a lot of info, sorry if it makes your head spin! Bottom line: not all mechanics and services are created equal Best wishes, Robert Grove, ASE Certified World Class Technician, Automotive Hall of Fame, 1996 www.Wego2uMobileMechanic.com www.orangecountymobileautorepair.com www.malibumobilemechanic.com www.venturacountymobilemechanic.com <a href="http://www.orangecountymobileautorepair.com">Mobile Orange County Mechanic Service Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Mobile RV Repair</a> <a href="http://orangecountymobileautorepair.com/mobile-mechanic-auto-repair-orange-county-locations/orange-county-mobile-mechanics/">Mobile Mechanics in Orange County</a>