A injector flush works well if you have buildup that is affecting your spray
pattern. If you don't have a buildup problem then a flush is worthless. You
can also have worn pintels (inside the injectors) and if you do the only
solution is to replace the injectors. They are not rebuildable.

Techron is still a good cleaner & is probably the only off the shelf one
that actually works.

I pour a bottle into 1/4 tank of gas instead of a full tank about 4 times a
year. I do this with every vehicle I own.

Tom
www.towercooler.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
David Beierl
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 10:17 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: '91 vanagon GL fuel injector flush/clean?

At 10:38 PM 6/11/2010, T-rev Reynolds wrote:
>I recently had a "VW Mechanic" tell me that when he listened to my
>engine he didn't hear the familiar "whine" of the injectors doing their
>thing;

Listen yourself with a mechanic's stethoscope (Lisle make a good one) or a
long screwdriver stuck to your ear.  At idle you should clearly hear the
"tick" as the valve operates.

>   He suggested that I have a injector flush to maximize
>fuel economy.   Do any of the Mechanics on this Vanagon List have an
>opinion on whether a full injector flush/clean is recommended or would
>a simple fuel additive suffice for preventative maintenance for the
>injectors?

Some years ago it was the received wisdom on the list that a bottle of
Techron every so often was a Good Action.  Haven't heard much about it
lately -- I suspect that it's because the fuel companies have finally gotten
it together and everyone's gas now has enough of the right detergents in it
to avoid injector fouling.  But Techron is still around, and I think it's
pretty good stuff.  Certainly won't hurt (except paying for it) to use a
bottle and see what happens.

That's as far as my knowledge goes.  But your mechanic's tale sounds just a
tad fishy to me.

Yours,
David