Fuel Injection Cleaning at 30K?

[32CJONES]

Hi All,
Last time at was at the dealer for service they told me BMW was recommending a fuel injector cleaning every 30K due to the ethanol levels contained in gasoline now.
Anyone else heard this or done this? I'm at 33 K now and due for an oil change very soon.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

[Kredithai]

My service adviser mentioned nothing about that when I came in two months ago. Sounds like they're jerking your chain.

[Georgere]

every time i go to my dealer, the SA is suggesting something and this particular "fix" was mentioned a few weeks ago when I went there for anual oil change, perhaps those things are good to do but at the dealer they all cost from $350 and up when evrywhere else its a ~$100 bucks service.... also, i havent seen this kind of things in the owners manual so seems like it is only dealer suggested and not strongly recommended by manufacturer
my verdict was not to do it

[Kredithai]

Or if you want it done much cheaper, then buy one of those $5 fuel system cleaner at the supermarket.

[Jed]

Here's a really interesting article in Business Week regarding ethanol in gasoline. One of the cars mentioned is a Mini that high amounts of carbon buildup:

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/may2009/bw20090514_058678.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index +-+temp_lifestyle

[pappy1911]

My 2005 Ford pickup has 50,000 miles. It has fuel injection..no cleaners...no problems...still runs good...

[obeythelaw]

when i picked up my new bmw the sales guy was telling me how they have seen more and more drivers come back to them after filling up with low octane gas and that was causing fuel injection problems and therefore needed a lot of cleaning. i would guess if the high octane fuel was used, then it shouldn't be a problem. we'll never escape ethanol in the gasoline anymore.

[mattjw916]

just buy "expensive" gas like Shell that has detergent additives in it... 91 octane only...

haven't read any recent studies but back in the day there was an exhaustive test done to show the benefits (they were tangible in terms of reducing buildup and preventing detonation)

[Jed]

If you can't readily find Toptier gas, you can always run a bottle of Techron fuel injector cleaner or Ventil Sauber.