Does BG44K really work on 1994+ Q's?

[szh]

Hi, all.

I do not know if I am unique in this regard, so here goes anyway: for some reason, adding BG44K does not do anything for my Q. The performance seems to be the same (just normal) afterwards. I don't know whether this is because the injectors are all well and clean anyway (which is a bit unlikely after 116k miles on original injectors) or because there is no real effect.

Maxnix pointed out the following to me from the Infiniti TSB's (number EC94-001) applicable to 1991 G20, 1993 J30 and 1994 Q45 onwards:

Due to the introduction of contamination resistant "pintle-less" fuel injectors, Infiniti no longer recommends using fuel injector cleaners with injectors of this design. Use of fuel injector cleaner on these vehicles, while providing little cleaning benefit, may cause corrosion of the fuel injector coil and eventual failure of the injector. Do not use fuel injector cleaner on the models listed in the chart below or subsequent models with "pintle-less" injectors.

The chart is the models I listed above, and the bolding, i.e. emphasis, of the words "do not" is in the TSB.

So, can folks comment? Dennis, Daedalus, Fred?

BTW, what the heck are "pintle-less" injectors?

Z

[PalmerWMD]

The chart is the models I listed above, and the bolding, i.e. emphasis, of the words "do not" is in the TSB.

So, can folks comment? Dennis, Daedalus, Fred?

BTW, what the heck are "pintle-less" injectors?

Z

The 94 and later Q's are more resistant to injector fouling beacuse of a design that elimates a (almost) moving part the "pintle", which is used to make the spary pattern in the older designs, but are not bulletproof as we have seen.

But we know that even the improved design does get fouled in some occasions, so I would still use 'em and I do (94t)

Fred..

[Q45tech]

I believe this was a general admonition concerning inexpensive injector cleaners found in the over the counter market [which contain methanol]. As BG 44k is still approved for dealer use on 2001-2003 Q for 30 and 60k services.

1994-2001 Q still get dirty and have to have the fuel filter changed...........the injector final filter screens are identical.

"The Bosch disc type [used after 93] uses the same type of actuation mechanism as the pintle type but replaces the pintle with a flat disc and a plate with tiny holes. These work fine with a good spray pattern but are slightly more prone to deposits plugging the holes."http://www.sdsefi.com/injectors.htm

BG44k is a somewhat effective cleaner of intake valve back /top crud caused by some additives in gasoline.....when a performance engine is used in low speed commuter use.

[szh]

Hi, Fred.

But we know that even the improved design does get fouled in some occasions, so I would still use 'em and I do (94t)

So, I guess the phrase in the TSB "may cause corrosion in the fuel injector coil" does not scare you in this regard?

Thanks for the response!

Z

[DAEDALUS]

I admit I don't know how a pintle-less injector works. But regardless, it seems that varnish and deposits can build up in any type of injector. Not sure what to say about the cleaner causing coil corrosion. Seems CA gas would be worse than any cleaner.

[PalmerWMD]

So, I guess the phrase in the TSB "may cause corrosion in the fuel injector coil" does not scare you in this regard?

Thanks for the response!

Z

No the corrosion is less of an issue than fouling in my eyes.Also as Dennis pointed out methanol isnt good for seals (injector or otherwise).

Fred...

[PalmerWMD]

No the corrosion is less of an issue than fouling in my eyes.Also as Dennis pointed out methanol isnt good for seals (injector or otherwise).

Fred...

BUT the better cleaners dont contain it.

Fred...

[szh]

Wow! I got responses from all three of the people I asked/listed - within 30 minutes!

This is an awesome forum ...

Z

[szh]

BUT the better cleaners dont contain it.

I guess it is good that gasohol (sold in some states in the US) is ethanol (from corn, right?) and not methanol, then!

Z

[szh]

BG44k is a somewhat effective cleaner of intake valve back /top crud caused by some additives in gasoline.....when a performance engine is used in low speed commuter use.

So, could I argue that one possiblity for BG44K not "working" for me is due to the fact that 70-80 percent of my driving is highway? Where I tend to do 65-85mph most of the time, with occasional scoots to higher speed.

I.e., my injectors don't tend to get too fouled up, perhaps.

Z

[szh]

Hi, Dennis.

http://www.sdsefi.com/injectors.htm

Thanks for the link! The pictures are particularly descriptive of what pintle's are.

Z

[szh]

Not sure what to say about the cleaner causing coil corrosion. Seems CA gas would be worse than any cleaner.

True! And this despite having the highest(?) cost per gallon in the US. On my recent trip to Atlanta, I noticed that premium 91 octane there (and in Florida) was cheaper, by many pennies, than the 87 octane here in California. Our state legislators leave a lot to be desired.

Z

[RobHakari]

hm.. last night i ordered the BG 44K oil additive stuff and fuel injector stuff. woohoo for me. hopefully itll improve the already great performance of my q

[elwesso]

I may get the 44k sometime......

Can we even compare the TECHRON stuff to 44k....... is it close to being as good (or when used in higher concentrations)......

[DAEDALUS]

You mean add 16 bottles of Techron to 8 gallons of gas instead of 1 can BG44k to 12 gallons of gas? My math is fictitious, but I *thought* I read somewhere that the OTC cleaners were just a small percentage of the concentration of BG44k. The rest is "filler" medium.

[PalmerWMD]

but I *thought* I read somewhere that the OTC cleaners were just a small percentage of the concentration of BG44k. The rest is "filler" medium.

this is correct.Its about 5% or 2%, or some such, that is active ingredient in techron, and this same chemical is nearly 100% ingredient, in BG44k injector cleaner.

Fred..

[szh]

fuel injector stuff. woohoo for me. hopefully itll improve the already great performance of my q

I would be curious to see what your experience with the BG44K is - mine seems to be a "no observed change, all is normal" behavior!

Please try it separately from the oil additive and see if you get real drivability improvements in performance.

Z

[RobHakari]

ok. ill do that oil additive first cause im gonna change my oil this weekend. then ill try the injector stuff on the way home from my 7 hour trip next week and compare the way there vs the way back

[Q451990]

As far as a noticeable difference when using BG44K, that's not my experience either. It seems like the car idles a little better (but it does that if I spend an hour washing it too)... The idea is just like any other preventative maintenence. You can't really feel an oil change, but if you don't change the oil over an extexnded period you'll sure feel it!

Different story for a pressurized flush... big difference in idle quality and responsiveness.

Heath

[PalmerWMD]

ok. ill do that oil additive first cause im gonna change my oil this weekend. then ill try the injector stuff on the way home from my 7 hour trip next week and compare the way there vs the way back

What oil additive?

There is no oil additive known to me, other than BG MOA that actually does more good than harm.

Fred..

[RobHakari]

thats what i mean. im not a good guy with cars and memory. i justk now you add it to the oil, run the car for about 15 min, then dump the oil and replace

[szh]

Hi, Heath.

As far as a noticeable difference when using BG44K, that's not my experience either. It seems like the car idles a little better (but it does that if I spend an hour washing it too)... The idea is just like any other preventative maintenence. You can't really feel an oil change, but if you don't change the oil over an extexnded period you'll sure feel it!

Hmmm, I would not have thought of BG44K as preventative maintenance per se, i.e., I kinda don't see the oil change analogy. I would expect to see a relatively obvious, if minute, difference (assuming it cleans fouled or lightly fouled injectors) after the first tankful.

I do look for and use Chevron gas all the time though - this contains low concentrations of Techron and may be a contributor to my non-experience with the BG44K.

Z

[szh]

then ill try the injector stuff on the way home from my 7 hour trip next week and compare the way there vs the way back

That would be great! One other suggestion is to add the BG44K into a half tank of gas rather than a full tank and let it get low before filling up again. Since most other cars have smaller gas tank capacities, and the can says to use it all, I would think that this is a more meaningful way to use it and get the most bang for the buck.

Z

[PalmerWMD]

thats what i mean. im not a good guy with cars and memory. i justk now you add it to the oil, run the car for about 15 min, then dump the oil and replace

Even w/o knwoing the brand name I can tell you it useless or worse than useless , no matter how many buddy or even mechanics swear by it.

just get a decent oil and change it regularily.

Fred....

PS: It may even be a kerosense based flush you are talking about, rather than strcitly an additive (you dont dump additives out).Using a kerosene based flush is VERY dangerous, unless you are sure that your engine does not containe excessive sludge.

Otherwise it may clog your oil pick up screen, or some oil gallery's with predicatble results.

[PalmerWMD]

One other suggestion is to add the BG44K into a half tank of gas rather than a full tank and let it get low before filling up again. Z

I agree.

Fred...

[RobHakari]

so the BG MOA isn't worth it then? just so i know for future refrence

[PalmerWMD]

so the BG MOA isn't worth it then? just so i know for future refrence

No, no BG MOA is good stuff and the <only> additive I know of that is not useless.

Use it, but leave it in, after the oil change, so it does you some good.

Fred...

[RobHakari]

so.. change the oil and then add it?

[PalmerWMD]

so.. change the oil and then add it?

Yes, for BG MOA (also called product 111) that is the procedure.

Fred...

[RobHakari]

ok. i thought it was the other way around. but as i said before.. im not a guy thats experienced with cars.