Echo - Fuel injector cleaner *DISASTER*

[saskbong]

Put in some BG-44K in my 2000 Echo Automatic fuel tank almost 3 weeks back. The amount was 1.5 times of normal portion (honest mistake). Since then mileage dropped from 32 MPG to 21 MPG !!!
Only other change - Check Engine Light came on with a P0300 code (random cylinder misfire) - which doesn't say much.
Any ideas what might have gone wrong and how to fix that?
Thanks!!

[RningOnFumes]

Try resetting your computer by taking the battery cable off. Next dilute your tank with more gas. This doesn't sound permanent so give it a few tanks before it returns to normal. Check back with this thread after 3 tanks.

[vic benson]

Rning is 100% correct. I did the same thing with my 05 HB. Only I put in two cycle oil as an upper cylinder lubricant, but I put in too much. The check engine light did not come on until the tank of gas was almost gone. I called the dealer and told him my check engine light was on and he told me the the light only comes on when it relates to emissions. So the oil I put in must have registered with the computer. I disconnected the battery to reset the computer and the light stayed off for about a day and came back on again. I ran through two tanks of gas and kept disconnecting the battery every day to reset the computer. Eventually the check engine light stayed off and has not come back on again.

[saskbong]

Well, in my case this is the 6th tank that's running since putting in the fuel injector cleaner.

I am not all that concerned about the CEL (ECM can be faulty, and the last owner did mention he was leaning to that conclusion when he saw the CEL come on for no apparent reason on this car on several occassions). It's the gas mileage that's hurting me bad.

Still looking to know what I can do now...

Thanks for the replies.

[saskbong]

Originally Posted by saskbong

Well, in my case this is the 6th tank that's running since putting in the fuel injector cleaner.

I am not all that concerned about the CEL (ECM can be faulty, and the last owner did mention he was leaning to that conclusion when he saw the CEL come on for no apparent reason on this car on several occassions). It's the gas mileage that's hurting me bad.

Still looking to know what I can do now...

Thanks for the replies.

UPDATE: Reset the ECM by disconnecting the battery. The code came right back - still the super ambiguous P0300. Any ideas anyone?

[vic benson]

Mysterious!!!!!

I know it has nothing to do with the fuel injector cleaner. Have you looked at the air mass sensor?? I cleaned mine once when the check engine light came on and it seemed to make a difference.

[saskbong]

Originally Posted by vic benson

Mysterious!!!!!

I know it has nothing to do with the fuel injector cleaner. Have you looked at the air mass sensor?? I cleaned mine once when the check engine light came on and it seemed to make a difference.

I'm thinking about checking out the Mass Air Flow sensor. But the manual says it's a P0100 code if that's at fault. Is that what you had showing up?

Also, did you take the MAF sensor out of its place to clean it or did that in-place? The manual only says to replace it if found faulty

[Solace87]

That random misfire code happens alot in these cars. If you shift into reverse very fast it can even happen. Misfire can happen for many reasons that have nothing to do with something being wrong with the card.

This may not even be related to the additive. People overdose that stuff all the time.
Try cleaning your MAF sensor and then removing your sparkplugs and then reinstalling them. With these COP units on these cars sometimes vibration can knock them off by a little bit and just reinstalling everything helps.

From my experience additives are usually more harm then good. If you have to clean them take them out and clean them if at all possible

[toyotatech671]

try replacing your plugs with the recommended denso plugs not ngk toyota's dont like other than what is recommended. also i would be concerned with the cel on, with the multiple random p0300 you could damage the cat converter and the chek light being on is a good indication why your gas milage is bad. may take iridium plugs not 100% on that but will say somewhere inside the engine bay poss underside of the hood.

[Solace87]

Manufacturer recommendations typically come about just because of reliability of the material. Try to stick with the manufacturer that is recommended but whether its platinum, or irridium typically doesnt matter.
Iridiums last longer and have the highest profit margin, so they are becoming recommended more :p.

When it comes to conductivity coppers are superior, the tests dont lie. They just dont last as long.
Platinums are a great compromise as they are still cheap but they last longer. In this engine they are so easy to change I dont really see why you would use iridium.

[saskbong]

Originally Posted by toyotatech671

try replacing your plugs with the recommended denso plugs not ngk toyota's dont like other than what is recommended. also i would be concerned with the cel on, with the multiple random p0300 you could damage the cat converter and the chek light being on is a good indication why your gas milage is bad. may take iridium plugs not 100% on that but will say somewhere inside the engine bay poss underside of the hood.

Sorry did you mean to replace the existing plugs with iridium ones? thanks

[saskbong]

Ok, so far my to-do list to fix the problem goes like this:

1. Check for spark plug, plug wires
2. Check or replace air filter
3. Clean MAF sensor

If these don't fix, then:

4. Change oil filter

Still no luck:
5. Change O2 sensor.

Comments / suggestions? Thanks!!

[saskbong]

Originally Posted by Solace87

That random misfire code happens alot in these cars. If you shift into reverse very fast it can even happen. Misfire can happen for many reasons that have nothing to do with something being wrong with the card.

This may not even be related to the additive. People overdose that stuff all the time.
Try cleaning your MAF sensor and then removing your sparkplugs and then reinstalling them. With these COP units on these cars sometimes vibration can knock them off by a little bit and just reinstalling everything helps.

From my experience additives are usually more harm then good. If you have to clean them take them out and clean them if at all possible

Good points there, but I don't get into reverse quick (kinda granny like driver :p ). Why should I put new spark plugs after cleaning MAF sensor? Just curious (and anxious )

[Solace87]

Originally Posted by saskbong

Good points there, but I don't get into reverse quick (kinda granny like driver :p ). Why should I put new spark plugs after cleaning MAF sensor? Just curious (and anxious )

Well I didnt say you had to replace them (though at under 10 dollars for plugs for this car its not a bad idea). I said that you can take them out, and put them back in.

Lets face it, these little 4 cyl engines arent the most smooth running and sometimes the COP (Coil on plug/no wires) setup they use can be effected by vibration. So its just a good idea to kinda disconnect and reconnect everything considering it takes under ten minutes.

Also I recommend platinums for these cars. Iridiums only last longer, and thats it. (they are sometimes better constructed plugs but thats simply because they cost way more) when compared to a good quality platinum there is no difference in performance. A good copper plug will exceed both Iridium and Platinum in performance, however once little hiccup in your air or fuel system and a copper plug is toast.

[vic benson]

I replaced the plugs in my 05, with Bosch Platinum plugs. When I reinstalled the Coil on Plugs, I put some dialetic grease on the end of the spring in the coil to make sure the contact between the plug and coil was good.

I will put in some irridum,s before the winter sets in.