Fuel injector cleaner . . . WOW!

I just use Top Tier fuel.

When I first got the Prius the CEL was on it had a DTC saying the catalytic converter wasn't doing it's job. Even if I erased the DTC's it would come right back on after the first drive or two. This was something the previous owner said had been like that for a long time.

I got the car and filled up the tank with Top Tier fuel and haven't had the check engine light come on since, nor do I have any DTC's whatsoever. And I have driven the car plenty of times since then.

I'm not sure if the problem is completely fixed. But it sure does seem like it.

 

Thanks for the info!

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Well I got the code again yesterday. (I forget the exact DTC code and am too lazy to go read it right now. But it was the catalytic efficiency code). So maybe the top tier fuel didn't help the catalytic converter. CEL still isn't on though yet.

 

Costco IS Top Tier fuel:

https://toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/

 

I should add, I always use a high level PEA cleaner before every oil change. Techron, STP 5-in-1, Redline SL-1, etc. or something that is known to destroy carbon - I prefer Berryman's B12 (they also recently came out with a High Mileage version that is in my tank right now). When I had my wife's intake manifold off on her Gen III when I was cleaning the EGR loop, the intake valves were pretty much spotless. I didn't remove the injectors, but my bet would be they would be similar.

It's just a good idea to use a complete fuel system cleaner during your normal maintenance routine.

 

That is an insane maintenance suggestion and is legit only a money maker for them. I would say every 100k would be sufficient if you never use a fuel system cleaner and use non-Top Tier fuel.

The problem with E10 fuel is not that it lacks cleaning ability, it is that it absorbs moisture since ethanol is hygroscopic. This is why E10 goes bad faster than E0. Metal, specifically aluminum, steel, and iron will oxidize due to this water content, but injector surfaces / bodies are probably 304 stainless or better and E10 isn't going to do diddly to them.

Their wording is merely to make a sale on a service that they can make a quick buck on.

 

I can still get E0 91 octane where I live. I put some BG 44k in my tank and ran some of that, I fluctuate between the zero ethanol 91 and quiktrip top tier 91, which has a very low ethanol content as well. I did the spray seafoam in the throttlebody/intake manifold as well and had a CEL a few times for the p0420. Colder Temps around 35 degrees and colder seem to trigger it. I turned it off a few times. Today in the 60s it went off on its own. I plan to replace the afyercat o2 sensor. I figure I cleaned too much stuff out of the motor and probably fouled the sensor. Otherwise getting great mpg and running very well.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Swap the upstream Denso A/F sensor first, if that doesn't help, install an aftermarket catalytic and sell the failing OEM cat for $$$$.

How many miles on this vehicle, and does it consume any engine oil between changes?

 

From what I've read most people who switch out O2 sensors end up finding out that the O2 sensor wasn't the problem.

If you have way of testing the O2 sensor before changing it would be better. If the catalytic converter is bad, the second O2 sensor's voltage will be bouncing up and down. If the cat is good you'll see a flat voltage at the second O2 sensor.

 

Why use COSTCO gas, when the COSTCO Anywhere Citibank VISA gets you 4% off purchases from gas stations?

 

(Sorry if I'm out of bounds, I'm posting my questions after searching for this topic.)

A few years ago, I think I heard/read that fuel injection cleaners could do damage to gaskets or O-rings, as in misshapen them. Has anyone heard similar things? ... Or maybe that was about using inconsistent engine oil grade.