Will this work in a TBI

[Skunksmash]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXetbuEFLvM&feature=plcp&context=C4b3febcVDvjVQa1PpcFOwXGPmlbO65dFhkzrXADeXD2EvqZHkNrM%3D

He basically just pours a little water down the carb. But I don't have a carb. I have TBI. Any reason I shouldn't do this? I'm convinced I have a fair amount of carbon, for various reasons.

[VileZambonie]

Decarbonizing should only be done for a specific reason. Pouring any liquid down the intake can cause a hydrolock if you are not careful. A small chunk of carbon getting between the valve seat and the valve can result in a bent valve. A large chunk can result in damage to the piston and cylinder. I advise against decarbonizing with water. Make sure you have a valid reason to do so and use top engine cleaner or seafoam followed by an oil change.

[Skunksmash]

Ok. Well my reason is, that I used some good (apparently it was good I guess) fuel system cleaner that let me be able to run 87 octane without valve clatter. I never could use anything but 93 unless I wanted some valve clatter. But then I ran this stuff through a tank of fuel, and all the sudden I could run 87 with no problems. But slowly, the problem came back. And now finally, I have to run 93 again or I get valve clatter. I think maybe the fuel system cleaner was only able to do so much, and wasn't able to knock off enough crud to really make a permanent difference.

So maybe I should just buy a case of that stuff and run that through with 12 tanks of gas? Only thing is that would be kind of a big waste of money if the valve clatter came back again a few months later.

[Jason S]

Do you think that the fuel system cleaner you used was just adding to the octane rating?

Is it valve clatter like loose rockers with a solid lifter or is it actual pinging that you get with the 87 octane fuel?

[454Man]

I have used star brite startron for years now. Never had a electric fuel pump fail on my american made cars. Good stuff! Check it out. That will clean and consistantly alow you to run 87 and one bottle last way longer than one tank, so you save cash on that.

[454Man]

http://www.starbrite.com/sproductdetail.cfm?ID=1537
You can find it in walmart and academy in the boat section
For like 8 bucks

[Skunksmash]

Do you think that the fuel system cleaner you used was just adding to the octane rating?

Is it valve clatter like loose rockers with a solid lifter or is it actual pinging that you get with the 87 octane fuel?

Well it lasted for probly somewhere around 6 tanks of gas after I used the cleaner. So it couldn't have just been octane boost cause it only would have lasted for 1 tank. I'm not sure about the lifter part, but it tends to start clattering when under more of a load. It starts doing it at a certain RPM when going up hills. You can either let off the gas some and it will stop, or give it a lot more gas and it will stop. But this is difficult to do.

[VileZambonie]

It's not "valve clatter" it's pinging or what's often referred to as spark knock. What spark plugs are you running? Is it the stock PROM? Is the EGR functioning? If so you may benefit from a decarbonizing but use top engine cleaner not water.

[bd]

Finding it necessary to "decarbonize" that often (~6 tanks of fuel), if in fact carbon buildup is the problem, would incline my thinking toward a mechanical issue, such as oil consumption from worn valve guides/seals, or cooked intake gaskets.  But, I'm leading the horse.  You might consider rechecking the timing and verifying proper EGR operation (as Vile suggested), before getting too far afield with decarbonizing....

[Skunksmash]

I am just running some Bosh platinum plugs. And as far as I know, the PROM is stock. As far as I know.

But yeah I have been meaning to check out the EGR thing. A couple things have led me there in the past. And the truck does burn some oil, to answer you bd. I usually end up having to add about 2/3 of a quart before oil change... maybe a full quart I can't remember. By oil change time, the oil is down right at the "Add" line on the dipstick. And the truck doesn't leak, at least there is never a spot on the driveway.

And this may sound weird but the truck seems to run so much smoother and quieter after I run a good quality fuel system cleaner through there. It surprised me cause when I come to a stop, I actually thought the engine had died. That is how smooth and quiet it was running. Better than it ever had. So I knew that whatever that Redline fuel system cleaner did, it helped a lot.