Doug, I am sure other LMLers will have a more technical reason, but please don’t do this! The fuel system has LOTS of rubber, composite and similar parts in it that were specifically chosen to be compatible with aviation gasoline. We know these components are not compatible with ethanol in most auto gas these days; I think you’d be taking a big risk in dumping a bottle of “injector cleaner” in the tank to see if it’s compatible with the hoses and seals…or not. IMHO, that’s playing Russian Roulette with your airplane; and maybe your life. How about compatibility with the sealant in the fuel tanks?

As an alternative, consider tuning your engine (to include GAMI injectors if required) and run it lean of peak. I have 1000+ hours on my TSIO-550 Continental/IV-P. The engine has been run LOP since break in was completed--in about 15 hours--and is as clean as a whistle inside. I have never fouled a plug, and have replaced them once since the airplane first flew in 2008. I typically climb at WOT to altitude and cruise at 30” MP, 2300 RPM and 15-15.5 GPH fuel flow; a bit less up in the flight levels. That gives me 180 KIAS +/- 5 KIAS depending on the OAT and altitude. The engine runs very cool (280-320 degrees CHT) …and I save a BUNDLE on gas. What’s not to like about this method of operation?

Bob

Doug wrote:

While wandering the aisles of the local auto parts store this past weekend, I started reading the labels on a bunch of those commercial fuel system cleaners.  You dump the container into your full auto fuel tank, and presto, your injectors, valves, etc., are supposedly magically cleaned and freed from harmful deposits. With all the known issues with fouled plugs and valve deposits in our big Continental engines, is there any reason this wouldn’t work in our aviation systems as well? (Or is this a taboo for some reason in our application).