Engine revs very low on startup after fuel injector cleaner

Post by Dave U. Random
2000 Lexus ES 300. 80K miles.
Added Chevron Techron Fuel Injector Cleaner.
Now my engine revs very low on startup.
Sometimes stalls.
Never had this problem before.
What could have happened?

Is the Check Engine light on?

--
Tegger

Dave U. Random

2010-07-09 15:30:54 UTC

Post by Tegger
Is the Check Engine light on?

No.
Also, car works normal (idle RPM) when the engine warms up.

Tegger

2010-07-10 00:57:52 UTC

Post by Tegger
Is the Check Engine light on?

No.
Also, car works normal (idle RPM) when the engine warms up.

Has anybody scanned the engine's computer with an OBD-II reader? It is
unlikely that such a problem could occur these days without an obvious OBD-
II report of some kind.

--
Tegger

chuckcar

2010-07-09 23:13:21 UTC

Which of the following haven't you replaced as per the manual instructions:
Air filter, Oil, Transmission fluid?

Not an accusation you understand, but first things first.

--
(setq (chuck nil) car(chuck) )

Dave U. Random

2010-07-11 01:35:59 UTC

Post by chuckcar
Which of the following haven't you replaced as per the manual
Air filter, Oil, Transmission fluid?

All replaced at 60K miles.
Oil changed every 3K miles.

Ray O

2010-07-10 02:51:34 UTC

Did you add the fuel injector cleaner to cure some kind of problem or did
you add it as a preventative measure? In the future, do not routinely add
fuel injector cleaner unless you are trying to address a specific symptom
because over use can damage the injectors, fuel lines, seals, and idle air
control valve.

Also, fuel injector cleaner must be used exactly according to the directions
supplied with the cleaner. If you do not use up the fuel in the tank
quickly enough, the stuff can damage injectors, fuel lines, seals, and the
idle air control valve.

I suspect that the fuel injector cleaner loosened deposits on the idle air
control valve and it does not move enough during warmup.

Try cleaning the throttle body and IAC valve with aerosol carburetor
cleaner, being sure to wipe out the liquefied gunk. Spray the edge and
inner surface of the throttle plate and the openings for the idle air
bypass.

The engine will probably blow clouds of smoke the first time you start it
after cleaning, but it should clear up after a minute or so.

--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Dave U. Random

2010-07-11 01:35:59 UTC

Post by Ray O
Did you add the fuel injector cleaner to cure some kind of problem or
did you add it as a preventative measure?

Preventive.
And was hoping to get better mpg (I get about 20 now)

Post by Ray O
In the future, do not routinely add
fuel injector cleaner unless you are trying to address a specific
symptom because over use can damage the injectors, fuel lines,
seals, and idle >air control valve.

OK.
I wish Chevron would mention that on their product website.

Ray O

2010-07-12 04:39:44 UTC

Post by Ray O
Did you add the fuel injector cleaner to cure some kind of problem or
did you add it as a preventative measure?

Preventive.
And was hoping to get better mpg (I get about 20 now)

OK.
I wish Chevron would mention that on their product website.

Chevron doesn't mention that on their web site because they would sell less
product.

If it was a good idea to routinely add fuel injector cleaner, automakers
would put it on the list of maintenance items in the owner's manual and
factory service manuals.

As a former factory rep, I can assure you that it is not necessary to
routinely add fuel injector cleaner as a preventative measure. If anything
the quality of fuel at the pumps seems to have improved over the years,
reducing the need for fuel additives. The same goes for motor oil,
transmission fluid, and coolant additives.

At this point, use up the any remaining fuel as quickly as possible, re-fill
the tank to dilute what is left, and if that doesn't work, clean the
throttle body and IAC valve.

--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hachiroku ハチロク

2010-07-11 05:26:36 UTC

Post by Dave U. Random
2000 Lexus ES 300. 80K miles.
Added Chevron Techron Fuel Injector Cleaner.
Now my engine revs very low on startup. Sometimes stalls.
Never had this problem before.
What could have happened?

Techron is a regular additive in Chevron branded gasoline.
I've added it to my '85 Corolla, my '88 Supra and my '89 Mazda with no
problems.

The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the amount
of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to 12 gallons and
one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not better since I added
the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons, and had a similar problem
to yours.

Add some 93 octane gas and you should be OK.

Dave U. Random

2010-07-11 15:21:54 UTC

Post by Hachiroku ãããã¯
The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the amount
of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to 12 gallons and
one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not better since I added
the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons, and had a similar problem
to yours.

I used the one for 12-gallons, and filled up the gas tank with gas
immediately.

The local auto parts store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal on it.
I still have 1 unused bottle, which I probably will not use in my other car.

Hachiroku ハチロク

2010-07-11 19:19:37 UTC

Post by Hachiroku ãããã¯
The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the amount
of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to 12 gallons
and one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not better since I
added the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons, and had a similar
problem to yours.

I used the one for 12-gallons, and filled up the gas tank with gas
immediately.
The local auto parts store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal on it. I still
have 1 unused bottle, which I probably will not use in my other car.

Interesting. I had (have) an '85 Corolla GTS that at about 130,000 miles
started knocking when there was a load on the engine. I have always used
'quality' gas, brand name stuff, and it was suggested I use Techron. I
zapped it with a bottle for 12 gals, filled with good gas, and then
started using Chevron until they left New England. One bottle every 40-50
tankfulls and the car never knocked again!

hls

2010-07-11 22:14:21 UTC

Post by Hachiroku ãããã¯
The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the amount
of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to 12 gallons
and one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not better since I
added the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons, and had a similar
problem to yours.

I used the one for 12-gallons, and filled up the gas tank with gas
immediately.
The local auto parts store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal on it. I still
have 1 unused bottle, which I probably will not use in my other car.

I have never had problems with it either, no matter what concentration I
used it.
I personally think this is BS.

IIRC, Techron is not the type of chemical that would attack injectors,
seals, etc.

Be sure you dont have wet fuel...I mean REALLY wet fuel.
That still happens at times.

You may well have some injectors that are not working properly.

chuckcar

2010-07-12 02:43:10 UTC

Post by hls

Post by Hachiroku ãããã¯
The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the
amount of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to
12 gallons and one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not
better since I added the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons,
and had a similar problem to yours.

I used the one for 12-gallons, and filled up the gas tank with gas
immediately.
The local auto parts store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal on it. I
still have 1 unused bottle, which I probably will not use in my
other car.

Interesting. I had (have) an '85 Corolla GTS that at about 130,000
miles started knocking when there was a load on the engine. I have
always used 'quality' gas, brand name stuff, and it was suggested I
use Techron. I zapped it with a bottle for 12 gals, filled with good
gas, and then started using Chevron until they left New England. One
bottle every 40-50 tankfulls and the car never knocked again!

I have never had problems with it either, no matter what concentration
I used it.
I personally think this is BS.
IIRC, Techron is not the type of chemical that would attack injectors,
seals, etc.
Be sure you dont have wet fuel...I mean REALLY wet fuel.
That still happens at times.

Indeed. When I was growing up I worked at gas stations at one point. One of
the last things you did was coat the last 6" of the "dipstick" for the
tanks and see if it found water. A few months back I saked the guy at the
local self serve about it and he had no idea what I was talking about.

--
(setq (chuck nil) car(chuck) )

Hachiroku ハチロク

2010-07-12 03:31:50 UTC

Post by chuckcar

Post by hls

Post by Hachiroku ãããã¯
The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the
amount of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to 12
gallons and one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not better
since I added the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons, and had
a similar problem to yours.

I used the one for 12-gallons, and filled up the gas tank with gas
immediately.
The local auto parts store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal on it. I
still have 1 unused bottle, which I probably will not use in my other
car.

Interesting. I had (have) an '85 Corolla GTS that at about 130,000
miles started knocking when there was a load on the engine. I have
always used 'quality' gas, brand name stuff, and it was suggested I use
Techron. I zapped it with a bottle for 12 gals, filled with good gas,
and then started using Chevron until they left New England. One bottle
every 40-50 tankfulls and the car never knocked again!

I have never had problems with it either, no matter what concentration I
used it.
I personally think this is BS.
IIRC, Techron is not the type of chemical that would attack injectors,
seals, etc.
Be sure you dont have wet fuel...I mean REALLY wet fuel. That still
happens at times.

Indeed. When I was growing up I worked at gas stations at one point. One
of the last things you did was coat the last 6" of the "dipstick" for the
tanks and see if it found water. A few months back I saked the guy at the
local self serve about it and he had no idea what I was talking about.

Yeah, it was a kind of grease that would change color when there was water
in the tank. (I think a lot of us pumped gas for a while...)

hls

2010-07-12 12:19:27 UTC

Post by chuckcar

Post by hls

Post by Hachiroku ãããã¯
The question I would ask is, did you add the right amount for the
amount of gas in the tank? There are two size bottles, 1 for up to 12
gallons and one for up to 22 gallons. In this case, more is not better
since I added the 22 gal additive and then put in 10 gallons, and had
a similar problem to yours.

I used the one for 12-gallons, and filled up the gas tank with gas
immediately.
The local auto parts store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal on it. I
still have 1 unused bottle, which I probably will not use in my other
car.

Interesting. I had (have) an '85 Corolla GTS that at about 130,000
miles started knocking when there was a load on the engine. I have
always used 'quality' gas, brand name stuff, and it was suggested I use
Techron. I zapped it with a bottle for 12 gals, filled with good gas,
and then started using Chevron until they left New England. One bottle
every 40-50 tankfulls and the car never knocked again!

I have never had problems with it either, no matter what concentration I
used it.
I personally think this is BS.
IIRC, Techron is not the type of chemical that would attack injectors,
seals, etc.
Be sure you dont have wet fuel...I mean REALLY wet fuel. That still
happens at times.

Indeed. When I was growing up I worked at gas stations at one point. One
of the last things you did was coat the last 6" of the "dipstick" for the
tanks and see if it found water. A few months back I saked the guy at the
local self serve about it and he had no idea what I was talking about.

Yeah, it was a kind of grease that would change color when there was water
in the tank. (I think a lot of us pumped gas for a while...)

Yep, it was called Color Cut or maybe Kolor Kut.

Kevin Bottorff

2010-07-12 19:39:48 UTC