02-14-2017, 04:33 PM | #1 |
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Fuel System Flush
My M235i vert is in for it's second oil change. The dealer is trying to convince me it needs a fuel system flush. Am I mistaken to think that this should not be required if one runs good quality fuel with detergent additives? The dealer claims that this is BMW recommended service, but when pressed the matter he showed me a card with "dealer" recommendations that clearly didn't come from BMW.
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02-14-2017, 06:08 PM | #2 |
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I've owned 7 bmws and have never been asked that question. My opinion only, but I think if you're pumping quality fuel you'll be aOK.
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'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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02-14-2017, 06:46 PM | #4 |
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Actually, the receipt refers to the service (that I declined) as "Fuel Induction Service". But the service adviser described it as flushing out deposits, cleaning injectors, etc.
It would be one thing to say the dealership recommends this, but they claim BMW corporate recommends it as normal maintenance. |
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02-14-2017, 06:55 PM | #5 |
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Techron by Chevron
Put a bottle of Techron in your tank twice a year. Your fuel system will stay clean and avoid injector issues. It does NOT, however, clean the valve deposits on a direct injection engine. But it will clean the top of the pistons and other parts of the exhaust track. I have used this religiously since 1985 and have never had a fuel system issue on any of my cars. BMW sells it under their own name, but you can buy in bulk packs at Costco.
A great product IMHO. |
02-14-2017, 08:02 PM | #6 |
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A second for Techron. BMW cleaner is in the identical bottle,just different copy. Ultimately,we all will need walnut blasting of the intake valves to clean off the deposits on them. Techron, top tier fuel,and frequent oil changes will keep this at a higher mileage.
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02-15-2017, 12:06 AM | #7 |
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Thanks for the advice on Techron--but do you need that if your engine is showing no symptoms?
Can anyone answer definitively whether BMW (corporate) recommends fuel induction service as routine maintenance? (For a car with 23K miles in this case.) |
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02-15-2017, 08:54 AM | #8 |
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The supplemental pamphlet that came with your Owners Manual titled SERVICE and WARRANTY INFORMATION on page eight has the definitive answer.
In summary any drivability issues caused by using fuels with insufficient detergents may require an additional form of maintenance. It is not part of any scheduled maintenance. I suggest you read the paragraph 'FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE' |
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02-15-2017, 11:37 AM | #9 |
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From what I've been told by a friendly BMW technician, BMW's "Fuel Induction Service" is comprised of tapping into the fuel rail and pumping a thick green cleaner in with the existing fuel. The relay or fuse to the car's fuel pump is pulled, then the vehicle is started and allowed to run only on the cleaner/gasoline mixture. The car is shut off just before it stalls out. The thick green liquid comes out of a black steel drum so he has no idea what it is. After the cleaning a bottle of this stuff is dumped into the fuel tank and the customer is sent on his way:
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02-15-2017, 12:03 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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02-15-2017, 12:31 PM | #11 |
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Right. And even more to the point, why would a dealer try to tell me that BMW recommended this at a specific mileage? I'm currently about 23000 miles. The SA tried to tell me that I was pass the recommended interval (I think he was pointing at 12k miles, but could misremember.)
This is our second BMW, from different dealers. This dealer gave us a much better deal on the M235i than the first. But their service department pushes the up-sell hard. |
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02-15-2017, 01:11 PM | #12 |
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Just my personal opinion, if the dealer will do it and charge it to the BMW warranty/maintenance program, go ahead and have it done. If the dealer wants to charge you for the service and there are no symptoms, why would you have it done if BMW doesn't think it is necessary? If you are correcting a symptom then the warranty should cover it!!
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02-15-2017, 01:14 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
To be clear, I did not get the service, and at this point my question is not whether I need the service, but whether I should ask the service manager why they are misrepresenting the BMW scheduled maintenance recommendations to make money on unnecessary work. |
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02-15-2017, 01:33 PM | #14 |
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The dealer should be sending you a "how are we doing with your service" letter in a week or two. Fill out the form with low marks and write your concerns in the comment box. BMW USA and Your Dealer (the owners, the general manager, and service manager) keeps track of these things, poor performance is taken seriously. But, always keep in mind that service advisers besides being your repair adviser are also salesmen. Check out this link on how their salary typically breaks out as far as commission, bonus and profit sharing.
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