I was recommended to get a fuel induction service for a 2002 V4 Camry, and am considering doing it MYSELF. The reasons for considering this are:
- My car idles a bit rough, especially when the AC is on.
- A dealer-mechanic recommended it for reason #1, and for the fact that my car has 125k miles on it and it couldn't hurt!
- The article linked to below has some interesting information on the subject.
My question is:
How should I do it such that it has the most benefit, and how hard would it be?
Update: Studies have shown that carbon build-up, especially in older direct-injected cars, to cause performance issues. See the following for example: http://www.dailytech.com/Direct+Injected+Engines+from+Some+Automakers+are+Seeing+Reduced+Performance/article21962.htm
Update 2: After some more research and talking to a dealer, the "fuel induction service" is where they pour chemicals / cleaning agents directly into the injectors and let it sit for 30 minutes or so. That is significantly different from pouring SeaFoam or other agents into the gas tank, and having them significantly diluted.
Obviously this is one method. But I'm curious if it actually makes sense to pull the injectors out and clean them, as one poster sarcastically suggests? If we're talking 30+ HP I'm all for it.
FINISHED:
I completed my own induction service over the weekend. The process took about 45 minutes (it was my first time). I went on to do it to our van and it took about 20 minutes :)
I accepted Larry's answer because he provided the most thorough explanation of the process. I did not follow his process completely, however, since I did not have the tools for one of the steps.
My solution was to detach the air intake hose and inject SeaFoam directly into the throttle body. I ran the RPM's at ~1,500 for a few minutes during this process. It took a bit of time before all of the SeaFoam was cleared out.
End result:
- Idling is now smooth.
- Engine is smoother under heavy acceleration (surprised at that, actually).
- More power, significant enough that I can tell the difference. The way I tested this was going from 45-65 on the highway as if to pass. I don't mash the pedal so the car stays in the same gear and only pushes the engine. It was able to do that without dropping a gear (it would drop a gear before).