OT but still a MoPar

[Reg Evans]

My wife's 99 Durango and my 97 Dakota both have a similar problem with a part of the throttle body gumming up after about 6 months or so. This causes the engines to become hard to start and causes an erratic idle. Sometimes too slow or too fast and sometimes it's difficult to keep them running until they have warmed up. I'm getting tired of removing the cylindrical part at the back of the throttle body and cleaning it out. I think this part regulates the air mixture.

Is there some gasoline additive on the market that will prevent this buildup of crud ?

[Tom Skinner]

Reg,

I use Marvel Mystery Oil in my Gas.

Just add 4-6 ounces at every refill, thats seems to work for me.

I'm sure there are others that will say its just snake oil etc., however, this is just my humble opinion. It is really cheap at Walmart a large bottle is only $4-5 (32oz. Bottle). It seems to keep the motor quiet running as well.

Tom

[busycoupe]

I use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner in my 2001 Jeep. It seems to help. A few years ago I never had a problem with dirty fuel injectors. I wonder if it has something to do with the ethanol in the gas??

Dave

[Reg Evans]

I use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner in my 2001 Jeep. It seems to help. A few years ago I never had a problem with dirty fuel injectors. I wonder if it has something to do with the ethanol in the gas??

Dave

Dave,

Do you mean you buy your gas at Chevron with the advertised Techron in it or are you adding something in the tank ?

Reg

[greg g]

Reg there is also and idle air controller of idle air motor, in those systems whic also gets gummed up and will effect starting and idle (the usuall symptom is a very high idle) but they also do well wit a bitl of attention.

What I don't get is that the fuel (that which produces the carbon is introduced down stream of both these assemblies, and so is the ex recirc, so where does all this carbon build up come from.

Mopar makes a decent throttle Body cleaner, its availabel at the dealer' s parts counter for not a lot of money and it seems to work better than the stuff at the bubble pack stores. It a bit more expensive but worth it as you need to use less.

[Reg Evans]

Thanks Tom,Dave and Greg. Anyone else ?

[busycoupe]

Reg,

The stuff I have been using is Chevron Pro-Gard fuel injector cleaner. A bottle to treat 12 gal. of gas cost about $3 - $4. I know it is snake oil, but it does seem to help.

Dave

[53_Suburban]

Dave,

Do you mean you buy your gas at Chevron with the advertised Techron in it or are you adding something in the tank ?

Reg

Chevron sells a "Techron" additive. I usually buy it at AutoZone just because that's the closest place but most auto parts stores sell it. I used it in my old Corolla which had a sticky float and it cleared it right up. I usually add a bottle about every couple months in my daily driver.

Use it in the Suburban and my bug too, but they don't get driven nearly as much.