How often should the fuel injector service be done? Do you get it done routinely or "when it needs it"?

Same question for the power steering (flush, fluid, etc..)

Got my oil changed, and they said I needed those done, so just wondering... They said based on the color of the power steering fluid, it needed to be changed... it's still red but I am not sure if it really needs it or if they just want me to get something else done.

Thanks

My teacher worked at GM for 18 years. He did many fuel injector flushes, and quite often a few weeks later the car would rerturn. The wax and pahraphin would be removed from the fuel lines and clog up the injector micron holes and they needed replacement. He said it should never be done.

As for p/s fluid, yes overtime like every other fluid it should be done.


- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Hmm, maybe they only got the fuel flush done after a long time of neglect. If you wanna get in shape, do you start with a full blown workout regimine? Of course not, you'll be super-hurting the next day! I use a techron laced fuel cleaner 2-3 times between flushes. I get them flushed no often than every 30K miles. Sometimes I'll wait as much as 50K miles. As for the steering fluid, only when you notice a change of performance and/or fluid quality. Otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't mess with it. Come to think of it, I remember seeing small in-line, in-hose filter 'cartridges' available for power steering systems. I supose that you could use one to prevent possible future problems.

So don't get it done just yet? Tthe car is a 99 and I only have 57k miles on it. I was looking through my records and did not see that either had ever been done...

I think my first real fuel flush was done around 60K miles, when it was in for the 60K mile checkup. I must say, if you don't wanna/ can't afford it, try running a can of Sea-Foam in a half-full gas tank. Drive hard, but legal, up long higway hills in top gear with the pedal floored. Probably the next best thing.

^^^^^

Actually adding ANYTHING, HEET, STP flue cleaner, all that junk to your fuel tank messes it up.

Lets see what does that stuff contain, alchol content. Okay now you want your alchol content to be at 10%, that stuiff raisies it, and it changes the volitility of gasoline.

By the way alchol is what dry out seals on the fuel pump, #1 cause of fuel pump failure. No not talking out of my ass, one teacher worked at Ford longer than I have been alive said this.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Hmm, guess I will need to just make a decision regarding the fuel injectors...

Any more advice on the power steering? At how many miles you have gotten it changed?

your powersteering fluid should be clear. change it asap and run some fuel system cleaner. call it good! i use a turkey baster and suck the old out and refill it with valvoline synpower powersteering fluid.


see ya!

Clear? I thought it was red... my girlfriend had her reservoir basically explode on the freeway and it was red everywhere... are different kinds different colors then...?

If it's red, somebody has been adding trans fluid to the system, other brands of cars you can get away with it, but GM only recommends power steering fluid. Trans fluid can ruin the seals in the rack. Easiest way to flush it out is to suck most of out, refill, start it and turn the wheel back and forth, and repeat until the fluid is clear.

Hmm, I will try that. I have never had the steering serviced though (to my knowledge... perhaps the guy before me did but I got it at only 12k miles)... so I wonder why there would be something else in there.

What is the purpose of a flush then, you pay them a ton of money to do the same thing? Is it necessary to bleed the system somehow? How many bottles of fluid should I pick up if I do this myself.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Okay to the person above who has no clue. Some manufactures use trans fluid in there power steering system. I used to have a Ford Contour, and I did a power steering flush and used Dexron/Mercon to flush the system. So yes some systems use trans fluid, so dont make this guy worried that someone added trans fluid to his p/s when maybe they should have.

Your owmers manual will say exactly what fluid to use for your year.

It is a good idea to flush out the fluid as overtime it breaks down due to heat, and dirt and containments do get in the system.

You flush it by disconnecting the return line and have a friend turn the wheel as you add fluid. It will pump out very very fast, about 1 quart in less than 5 seconds, so get ready for it. Not sure of the capicity, I would say less than 3 quarts though.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Ok now, I've been a journeyman tech for 9 years now, 4 of them with GM(grandmaster tech) and the other 5(master tech) with ford so don't say that I don't have a clue partner. Yes, ford does use trans fluid for power steering, because their p/s pumps suck. GM has always used power steering fluid, they are not the same fluids, so you put in what should go in there. I never said it would absolutely damage anything, but there is always a possiblity. I've seen plenty of bulletins from GM about this. It's just not recommended. If they are the same, why wouldn't you put p/s fluid in your trans? It's just cheap insurance for 10 bucks worth of fluid.

...there are allot more that use transmission fluid for the PS. Nissan, i know for sure, I know people that have ruined the seals in their PS pump by using PS fluid in it, it was leaking within a week. if you use regular PS fluid in a modern Honda you will more than likely run into trouble, they have extra stuff in there to retard wear as they make their pumps differently ( I think that its the material that its made from).