Would you recommend cleaning fuel injectors on a 2014 BMW? | Car Doctor
Q: My sister-in-law in Chicago has a 2014 BMW 328. Her mechanic recommended that the fuel injectors be cleaned because of carbon buildup. The cost is $307. This procedure has never been done before. Is this something that you would recommend?
A: BMWs suffer from excessive carbon buildup when using less than the highest quality fuel (TopTier gas).
From the BMW service manual: “If the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, we recommend that BMW Group FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER PLUS be added to the gas tank. For optimum cleaning and deposit control, add 20-fluid-ounce bottle every 3,000 miles when refueling."
If your sister-in-law is not using TopTier gasoline, a complete fuel system/combustion chamber cleaning makes sense.
Diagnosing possible electrical problems with 2019 Camry
Q: I just bought a 2019 Toyota Camry from a private party. There are a couple of problems: A "C1AB4" code was detected. The code indicates issues with the exterior side-view mirror on the passenger side. I cannot adjust it using interior remote control.
Also, the heater and defroster don't work; the blinker indicator does not appear; and messages regarding the "Blind Spot Monitor" and "Rear Cross Traffic Alert" are displayed.
Any idea what the problem is? I'm wondering if there is anything else I can try.
A: The code indicates a possible break in a wire, low power or even a faulty side-view mirror. You need to start with the basics: checking the fuse as well as looking for proper 12-volt power and ground circuits.
Unless you are skilled with a digital voltmeter, I would leave the diagnosis and repair to a professional technician.
Change oil before or after garaging car for the winter?
Q: I leave my Toyota C-HR in my garage all winter when I go to Florida. You have recommended changing the oil before one leaves. I do change it when I come back. Any advantage to changing it before I go?
A: Oil, by design, collects contaminants such as moisture and unburned fuel. Rather than let these contaminants sit in the engine for the off-season, changing the oil before the car is garaged for the season eliminates that risk. Also, it is one less thing to do when you return up North.
Does AAA have background on 1911 'Little Glidden' Endurance Tour?
Q: My husband and I were given a silver trophy plaque from the 1911 "Little Glidden" Endurance Tour that started and ended in Des Moines, Iowa, in June of that year. The plaque was won by Lester C. Perkins for his Hupmobile in the Class A1 Roadster Division.
It is our understanding that AAA sponsored the Glidden tours. Would you have any information, photos or articles in your archives about this particular 1911 Little Glidden tour? I would like to write an article about the trophy and the history of the tour and submit it to the Hupmobile Club.
A: This is a little before my time. From what I have found out, the 1911 “Little Glidden” started in Des Moines and covered a total of 650 miles in four days at a speed of 20 miles per hour. The route led to Davenport and then along the Mississippi River to Dubuque, where the hill-climbing abilities of the machines were tested.
Drivers then proceeded through Waterloo and Mason City to Clear Lake and then back to Des Moines through Eagle Grove and Webster City.
The event was overseen by officials from AAA, who provided checking and technical committees.
As far as I know, AAA doesn’t have any historical photos of this event.
Are clutch packs interchangeable when rebuilding a Chevy transmission?
Q: I am attempting to rebuild the transmission on my Chevy with help from a friend who has done this before. Do you know if clutches for the third and fourth gears are the same from 700R4 GM automatic to 4L60E automatic?
A: Thirty or so years ago, when GM introduced the 4L60E (four speed, longitudinally mounted electronic controlled), it was basically the workhorse 700R4 transmission without much if any changes, other than electronics.
Although the complete rebuilding kit uses different part numbers, my guess is (and it's only a guess) the clutch packs would be the same.
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Does 2014 BMW really need its fuel injectors cleaned?
