Just picked up the 04 MCS after the Inspection #1 and the dealer suggested that I clean the injectors at an added cost of $100.00. At 30K miles is this normal preventive maintenance or an add-on for the dealer to make more $$$?? At 18K I put on an Alta 15% pulley with colder plugs and have never felt that the motor was off at all. If anything, I feel the usual better low end grunt that a pully provides.

 

I would skip it. Try a bottle of FI cleaner. Its a good idea to use them on a regualr basis... I like the Redline FI cleaner becuase it is detergent based and not solvent based so its safe and approved by BMW..

 

I second that motion. I do that as well on my P-car and I've never had any problems.

 

Thanks for the info. I used a bottle of Lucas Upper Cylinder and Fuel Injector Cleaner.

 

I've used Redline FI cleaner with every fill-up for both my Mini and wife's 02 CR-V since new. My injectors in the Mini look like new and, while I couldn't easly check them, I'll bet my intake valves also look new.

 

Here is a vote for Chevron's Techron detergent, either in the Chevron premium gas or separately if Chevron gas is not available where you live. Basically, if you are not experiencing cold start driveability problems (that generally manifest as stalling of the engine on drive-off after starting the engine cold), the need for a de-carbonization procedure is not there. If you use a high quality detergent (such as Techron), you can often avoid the need for de-carbonization for over 100K miles. I had a 1986 VW GTI that needed de-carbonization at 11,000 miles (and I was running Shell premium for the first 11,000 miles). Thereafter, I ran Chevron premium and never needed decarbonization until the car was stolen with 120,000 miles on it.

 

According to this site: http://www.toptiergas.com/ BMW and other companies have certified certain brands to prevent build up. It's worth a look even though I'm not sure if any of the brands are near me. Maybe some of you will have better luck.