Inspired by the response to my post re: "Pinging in 3.0L Duratec Engine", are all system cleaners basically the same or does one rise to the top, being head-and-shoulders better than the rest? Do these things actually do what they're advertised to do?

If I do use one, can I just put it in any time I want or do I have to wait until my next fill-up?

Thanks!

 

I would use a "complete fuel system cleaner" They cost ~$6-7 per botttle, and should work better than "fuel injector cleaner" which cost ~$2-3. I don't know if the chemical make-up is any different, maybe its the concentration. Try one like STP, Gumout, or Techron. Seehow many gallons they treat. The STP treats up to 21 gallons. So I would, run my current tank of gas low, then add the cleaner and refill with ~12-15 gallons and run the tank low again. If this has never been done before you may want to do two treatments. If the first bottel helps the ping issue and you are satisfied, then dont worry about it. If it helps, but you feel it coud be better, try another bottle. Its not a bad idea to run injector cleaner($2-3) every few thousand miles, and the system cleaner twice a year.