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HomeAutomotive3M |
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|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 124 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 46 found the following review helpful:
Good product, bad instructions May 11, 2012
By A-OK
I purchased this product from amazon for $36 minus the $10 rebate, $26
In general this is a GOOD product. I used this product on a 2001 Acura 3.2cl with about 115k miles on it. Overall, my car did see a slight improvement. Upon inspecting my throttle body it was evident that the intake system was fairly clean, the throttle plate was showing brass color upon beginning. Even though my car was clean to start, there was a noted improvement in the initial startup and idle.
My vehicle used to suffer from a slightly sticky throttle plate and as a result the first time it turns over usually had a bit too much gas, I could feel the engine moving on the motor mounts. Now when I start up the car, the initial turn over is smooth as the pressure required to open the throttle plate is less.
Pros: Cheap, easy to use, does what its supposed to!
Cons: The instructions for this product are really bad. Mine did NOT come with the DVD as it was supposed to. Luckily I watched it on amazon, its posted on the product page. Please note: the DVD is pretty much useless anyway, there is a much better way to do the cleaning, read "other thoughts". I minused ONE star for the missing DVD.
Other thoughts: I found many of the customer reviews to be very helpful!
1) Be aware, many newer vehicles have plastic covers on the engine, most require METRIC ratchet sets to remove, I had to buy a set for about $20. In most cases you cannot reach the throttle body until you remove the covers!
2) Prior to doing Step 1; Park your car at an angle where your throttle body opening is facing slightly downward. You can do this by placing the car on a curb, or slanted driveway. This is really important, the first spray sends a very slight, yet consistent fluid down your intake for about 15 minutes. If parked at an angle, the remaining fluid will biuld up (along with all the carbon) behind the throttle plate and you can easily wipe it all out in step 3. Once you open the throttle body, gravity does most of the work for you, it just pours out, be ready to catch it!
3) DO NOT SPRAY THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANER INTO THE THROTTLE BODY UNLSS YOU WANT A ROUGH RESTART. Instead, spray the cleaner directly onto a microcloth, then stick the cloth into the throttle body and wipe. DUH! I used 3 cloths. Alot of carbon came out. I DID NOT SPRAY THE CLEANER INTO THE THROTTLE BODY, PERIOD.
My car started up perfectly, NO hesitation, NO smoke from the exhaust. NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I did not notice power gains, however my car is smoother. It feels like I just had a tune up. When your engine runs a bit closer to OEM spec every other component in the vehicle just syncs up better.
All in all, worth way more than $26.
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 As advertised Jan 01, 2012
By Konrad A.
(Used on a '99 Integra) If you're a novice, be sure to read customers' reviews for some preventative steps to take to ensure everything goes smoothly.
**UPDATE** After having driven 300 highway miles after the tune-up, I got a +2mpg increase over what I always got on the same route (St-Louis - Chicago). The car now also idles at ~400RPM (vs. 750RPM), seems way below manufacturing spec, but it's very steady, doesn't sputter or stall - almost as if this is how it should be - car's happy, I'm happy. ~10 gas fill ups / 3000 miles and the kit paid for itself, not to mention your engine is much leaner, cleaner, and more efficient. It's a win-win.
Tune-up kit worked as advertised. Set aside about 1hr for the job and it's really best to have someone with you at least during the first step. I have a cold air intake, so getting the intake manifold cleaner hose at the throttle body wasn't too challenging.
The main issue I encountered was during the constant feed of the manifold cleaner, the engine does seem to begin to stall/die after a while. After all, you're putting something other than than air and fuel into the combustion chambers. You have to do your best to maintain a steady 1000RPM (or around there - I actually had to go a little higher than that for my little 1.8L), but use your best judgment and adjust the RPMs accordingly to ensure you're clearing the cleaner at an adequate rate (otherwise you'll flood the engine).
When you're using the throttle plate cleaner, don't use the whole bottle at once IMO to prevent flooding the manifold/engine, instead use about half/half while turning on the engine in between (WITH the intake hose back on the throttle body) - I think an included soft bristle brush would have been nice, since the spray pressure isn't necessarily adequate to remove stubborn carbon deposits (and if yours isn't a new car, chances are there are definite tough deposits). Also, the cleaner may leak out from the throttle body and drip down into your engine bay on (perhaps) some vital components, so be sure to put some towels around and underneath the throttle body.
The last step, is pretty self-explanatory. Though I usually use TECHRON every oil change to clean my fuel system, this is probably on par with the competition. The results: my stock idle RPM was fine before (~750RPM), but after using the tune-up kit, it actually lowered it to about 500RPM. Engine doesn't seem to have a problem with it, neither do I; runs leaner, saves gas and there's some slightly noticeable pickup in acceleration (i.e. the response to accelerate is more agile now (less lag) than before).
25 of 29 found the following review helpful:
Great System Beats Dealership Hands Down Nov 06, 2009
By ZLN
"Book Reader"
This is a great product. I have come to trust the 3M name and this system was no exception. It came highly recommended on several forums and works just as advertised. It comes with an instructional DVD and if you follow the steps and examples provided you will have about a 45 min project that will save you lots of money compared to having it done at the dealership. I just did the tuneup on a 2005 4.0 Liter V6 Toyota with 50K+ miles. I make no claims about milage or performance increase but it cleans the throttle body very well.
!!Make sure you change the oil after this treatment within the next 100 miles or so.
This Kit cost $50 and I also purchased $30 worth of spark plugs. For $80 I got a tune-up that would have cost $400 at the dealership. Thanks 3M!
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Much Improved Throttle Response Jun 15, 2010
By Nicolasj
The 3M DIY Tune-up kit worked as described. I just used it on my wife's 96' Saturn SL1 because I was suspecting misfires when climbing hills. My scanner didn't turn up any codes, but something was definitely wrong. The last few mechanics have all recommended a fuel system service so I wanted to give this a try first. I was quoted $119 from a mechanic to do a similar type service and $220 to perform the chemical injector cleaning that feeds directly into the fuel rail. Don't believe I will be needing that service now because the hesitation is gone.
You may notice that the car won't start after spraying the throttle plate cleaner. I suppose I should have tried harder to clean up the pool of dirty fluid off the the bottom of the throttle body. Next time I will park half the car on the curb to help it drain out on its own. Easy to use - I only needed pliers to take off the intake and some scissors to trim the intake system cleaner tube oh and a brick to keep the accelerator steady.
23 of 28 found the following review helpful:
Great value and easy to do May 10, 2011
By Clayton B. Hughes
"c. hughes"
I reviewed this and other products like it. I was concerned at ease of use because I am only somewhat experienced with working on autos. I bought this product and tried it out. Now, I have a 1999 Ford Escort ZX2 with 75,000 miles so I don't exactly have high mileage, but wow did it work wonders. I followed the DVD and directions and it took me through it with ease. Not only that, when I started up the car afterwards, the difference was night and day. The accelerator is more responsive and even my check engine light went away. It is worth the time and money to buy this fantastic product!
--note, it is helpful to have a friend help you with this... I used a brick.
See all 124 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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