SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays

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Tue 17 Feb 2015 22:18
SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays - braniff7

Carb cleaner, throttle body cleaner, MAF sensor cleaner, EGR cleaner etc.

What are the differences?

Thanks - braniff7

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Wed 18 Feb 2015 08:09
SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays - craig-pd130

They're all just petrochemical solvents of one form or another. It depends what you're planning to do, but the the best way is to remove the component from the car to clean it properly rather than just spraying and hoping.

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Wed 18 Feb 2015 17:31
SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays - braniff7

Thanks for that, and I agree re. removing things to clean. I wondered, because I came across a couple of sources saying one should only clean a throttle body with specific TB cleaner and not to use for example carb cleaner. Something about leaving oily residue?

Thanks - braniff7

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Wed 18 Feb 2015 20:31
SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays - craig-pd130

Heh, a throttle body is, essentially, a carb venturi.

You can also get cans of brake cleaner which evaporates completely residue-free, it's more volatile than carb cleaner. I've used brake cleaner for flushing through the jets on my bike's carbs when I've run out of carb cleaner.

I wouldn't worry too much, just get the component clean.

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Wed 18 Feb 2015 21:21
SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays - gordonbennet

Yep, Pagid brake cleaner cheap as chips from places like ECP online.

Lovely smell too.

Edited by gordonbennet on 18/02/2015 at 21:21

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Wed 18 Feb 2015 21:36
SAAB 9-3 - Engine cleaner sprays - MeMikeyou?

A lot of these cleaners are just IsoPropyl Alcohol. the worry is residues left by the cleaner itself. IPA doesn't leave much (if any) residue so is a preferred cleaner. It dissolves lots of stuff. Google it and go on from there IMO. :)

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