Carb or injector cleaners

sphanna

sphanna

Well-known member
I was wondering if there was any reason that I should NOT occasionally use an injector or carburetor cleaner in my fuel. Any parts or gaskets etc. that would be adversely affected? Or fuel tank consequences?

Also, I have heard a couple of old timers tell me that they used to use kerosene in the radiator as an antifreeze. Sounds weird to me what say you?
 
Steve - Sorry I don't have the definitive answer, but I am pretty sure this subject has been discussed. I just can't put my hands on it right now.

If I remember correctly, injector cleaner has been used on occasion without any ill affects. Others may have additional info, or can correct me.

I would guess kerosene would "help" water from freezing at lower than 32-degrees. But to what point? Also, would kerosene lower water's ability to transfer heat? I don't know; just asking.
 
the only comment I can make is anytime i've had a carb problem on any engine running cleaner in the fuel did absolutely nothing.

The only fix was to take the carb apart and clean it properly.

I've also seen similar results with fuel injectors. Running cleaner in the take didn't do anything except drain my wallet. The injectors always either had to be rebuilt or replaced.
 
MrTube said:
the only comment I can make is anytime i've had a carb problem on any engine running cleaner in the fuel did absolutely nothing.

The only fix was to take the carb apart and clean it properly.

I've also seen similar results with fuel injectors. Running cleaner in the take didn't do anything except drain my wallet. The injectors always either had to be rebuilt or replaced.
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Years ago I was driving my VW Rabbit diesel and one of the injectors started missing. I figured the best way to try to clean it out was to make it open the fullest, so I was just leaving town and had an upgrade hill. I floored the car for a block and that did the trick.

I've never tried fuel injection cleaners in newer cars, but have never had a problem with them either.
 
I would not use Kerosene in the cooling system... in addition to rapidly deteriorating the rubber hoses, once it gets hot, Kero does vaporize, and could ignite...
 
I would also think water would not mix with the kerosene causing the water to freeze separately, no?

Tom, I don't know about diesel injectors but injectors for gasoline engines work on a duty cycle. They are either fully open or closed. This goes for everything from throttle body to tuned port injection. Not sure about the recent direct injection gas engines.
 
sphanna said:
I was wondering if there was any reason that I should NOT occasionally use an injector or carburetor cleaner in my fuel. Any parts or gaskets etc. that would be adversely affected? Or fuel tank consequences?

Also, I have heard a couple of old timers tell me that they used to use kerosene in the radiator as an antifreeze. Sounds weird to me what say you?
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Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate the advise and comments.
 
Most fuel system detergents are high molecular weight chemistry and require a lot of solvent to keep them in suspension during storage (in the store). There are a few good ones (Texaco's Petrox was the best carburetor cleaner, but no one makes carbs any more and it disappeared years ago. Chevron's Techron has very good chemistry, most are junk). The solvents are sometimes aromatics (as in paint thinner) but mostly they are kerosine. The $0.99 specials at WalMart have only the slightest pinch of additive (just enough to satisfy the FTC) and a whole lot of solvent; they no nothing for your fuel system, but won't harm it or your tank either. As stated elsewhere, save your money. As for kerosine in the cooling system: are you kidding?
 
sphanna said:
I was wondering if there was any reason that I should NOT occasionally use an injector or carburetor cleaner in my fuel. Any parts or gaskets etc. that would be adversely affected? Or fuel tank consequences?

Also, I have heard a couple of old timers tell me that they used to use kerosene in the radiator as an antifreeze. Sounds weird to me what say you?
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that is really weird because that is highly flammable. accidental spark that could happen under the hood could send your car in flames. those old beliefs should be buried with them. that is totally insane. :) as for my ford diesel injectors i never have them rebuilt. i always have them replace. i thought you are kidding with kerosene use as an antifreeze.:D
 
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They didn't just use kerosene they used alcohol in the cooling systems. I can remember my Dad and uncles talking about cars catching on fire from it and how the alcohol flames couldn't hardly be seen. Dangerous times back then.
 
Cleaners,, as quickly as this new crap some call fuel breaks down, cleaners do help especially if the car isn't driven that much.. I prefer Sea-Foam, its been around a long time and it does work well..
Anti-freeze,, alcohol used to be used.. The only thing I've been told about kerosene is that it was used for fuel during the fuel/gasoline rationing days of WWII.. A friend has the kerosene tank on his '31 pick-up and shows that it does run with it..
 
Special Coupe Frank said:
I would not use Kerosene in the cooling system... in addition to rapidly deteriorating the rubber hoses, once it gets hot, Kero does vaporize, and could ignite...
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Yes it could and it will. My Grandpa always had a pipe in his mouth. He used kerosene in the radiator of his model T, in the winter time in Mich. One time when he checked the radiator level it burst in to flames. Back then they had to use water or alcohol.
 
sphanna ...................
The old-timers used alcohol and kerosene in their radiators before anti-freeze was invented.
Actually anti-freeze was not invented, it was discovered !
Sometime, in the thirties, when chemical companies were allowed to dump their waste, directly into the rivers, someone, at the Carbide Plant in South Charleston, West Virginia, noticed that the water was not freezing, where they were dumping their waste product. This waste product became anti-freeze.
MIKE :)
 
FL&WVMIKE said:
sphanna ...................
The old-timers used alcohol and kerosene in their radiators before anti-freeze was invented.
Actually anti-freeze was not invented, it was discovered !
Sometime, in the thirties, when chemical companies were allowed to dump their waste, directly into the rivers, someone, at the Carbide Plant in South Charleston, West Virginia, noticed that the water was not freezing, where they were dumping their waste product. This waste product became anti-freeze.
MIKE :)
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And now that waste is selling for $7 to $10 a gallon.:confused:
 
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