Fuel injectors gone bad, or so they say!

Yea, I realize that the premium fuel is not likely to help much if at all but I thought I would do it just in case it may help some minor amount. I am mainly now using Chevron fuel in hopes that their additives will help. I am still not confident that my problems have been remedied but time will tell. It took about 150 miles for the CEL to come back on last time before I had cleaned the MAF sensor. If it comes on again I will take it in to have at least the #3 and #4 injectors replaced. I will post on here when I find out more so others that may be interested know.

 

I didn't know you could clean the injectors. Is it difficult? Is there a thread that helps walk you through it anywhere?

Latest update: I was able to turn off the CEL by disconnecting the neg. 12v. I did it by disconnecting the neg. where it attaches to the car since it has better/easier access. I have now gone over 600 miles and all seems fine so far. At least the CEL has not come back on yet. The engine still seems a bit rough at start up at times but I think I am overly sensitive to it now because it always did that to some degree.

It would be good to know how to clean the injectors in case I do need to try that.

 

Okay thanks for the info. If I end up trying that I may look for someone who could pulse them in the ultrasonic bath. But for now, it seems that things are working well. My MPG is back up in the mid to high 40's which is normal for this time of year. I really think my main issue was the MAF sensor being very dirty. If so, I am very disappointed that the dealer diagnosed it as they did with a recommendation to replace all 4 injectors for $1150!! When really it took some MAF cleaner ($6) and 10 minutes of my time.

 

I totally agree. I have learned more about the dealer and my Prius in the last month than I have in the previous 5 years. Very disappointing and disconcerting that the dealer was not very helpful. It really comes down to the people at the dealership and whether they care enough to want to try to help figure things out for you. I am not sure if it is the leadership within the dealership that is lacking or the constant attack by disgruntled car owners' questions that make them jaded that is the probelm. But whatever it is it reflects poorly on Toyota as a whole. I have been a die hard Toyota fan for 20 years but am starting to question my loyalty after this ordeal. I will probably write a letter to the dealership and upper levels within Toyota once I feel more confident that things have cleared up for sure, to let them know about how things transpired. They need that sort of feedback from their customers IMO.

I have used the Techron fuel injector cleaner twice in the last 8 months or so and will continue to use it occasionally. That and using the Chevron gas should help as well.

 

I wanted to give folks an update on this in case it may help others. I have not had any troubles since cleaning my MAF sensor and my MPG are back to normal. I am now convinced that I sprayed too much trottle body cleaner in the TB which fouled my MAF sensor which caused the CEL to come on with the misfire codes. So the dealer totally got it wrong or just didn't take the time to figure it out while members on here helped me figure it out. Lesson learned and maybe this will help someone else also avoid a $1000 needless bill from their local dealler.

 

Thanks Pat. That certainly is an easier and more effective way of cleaning the TB. I am sure I used too much TB cleaner before I knew better but even then it was not that much but like you say less is better. I have over 1200 miles on the Prius since removing and cleaning the MAF sensor and resetting the CEL. It seems to be back to running like normal.

I recently cleaned the TB on my '01 Tundra and used the technique of spraying a peice of clean cloth and then rubbing the cloth on the plate and inside the TB to clean the surfaces. Certainly todays engines are very sensitive and need to be treated as such.