3M 08963 Fuel System Tune-Up Kit

by 3M

• Helps to restore power and save on gas mileage
• As easy to perform as an oil change
• Requires a few simple hand-tools

Product Description

Amazon.com

The 3M Fuel System Tune-up Kit is a economical solution for achieving professional mechanic grade fuel efficiency and performance out of fuel systems. Made up of three quality 3M automotive products -- 3M Intake System Cleaner, 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner and 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner -- together they work to remove carbon, varnishes at soot from all areas of your fuel system. This easy to use tuning system is useable by virtually any would-be mechanic.

Professional quality fuel system clean-up.
View larger.

Step 1: allow Intake System Cleaner to be taken into the system.
View larger.

Step 2: apply Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner directly to throttle plate surfaces.
View larger.

Step 3: Add 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner to a full tank of gas and drive.
View larger.

Increase Fuel Economy, Power and Acceleration

Because no engine is 100% efficient, carbon, resins, and varnishes eventually build up in critical engine components, causing a reduction in fuel economy, power and acceleration. Until now car owners needed to pay for a professional fuel system service to remedy this, which can be very costly. But now 3M has provided do-it-yourself consumers with a great new way to get maximum performance from their vehicles from the convenience of their own home garage, for less than ½ the cost of what they would pay for the same results at a service center, with the 3M Fuel System Tune-up Kit.

DIY Solution in 3 Easy Steps

The 3M Fuel System Tune-up Kit combines the strengths of three quality 3M automotive maintenance products into a single fuel system tune-up program that when performed annually, or every 10,000 miles, will improve vehicle performance and gas mileage. These three products are: 3M Intake System Cleaner, 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner and 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner. The steps involved in this process are easy to perform and can feasibly be done by a single person, but are more easily achieved with the aid of an assistant behind the wheel at certain stages.

• Step 1 - 3M Intake System Cleaner: Follow the fresh intake hose to the outside of your engine's throttle body. Remove the hose boot clamp where it enters the throttle body with a screw driver to access the throttle plate. Insert the 3M Intake System Cleaner's attached hose past the throttle plate and slip the intake hose boot back on. With the help of an assistant, start the car engine while the work area is monitored. When the engine idle reaches 500-1,000 RPM, hold steady at this rate and spray the product's contents into the running engine. This process cleans intake manifolds, valves and combustion chambers. Use the entire can, which may take several minutes. Turn off the engine, remove the product hose and proceed to step 2.
• Step 2 - 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner: Again, with the help of an assistant, place the vehicle ignition in the "Run" position, but with the engine NOT started, and depress the accelerator to expose both sides of the throttle plate. Spray both sides of the plate, as well as the throttle body with 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner. Wipe excessive cleaner away and/or let wet areas dry for a few minutes with the throttle plate open before you replace the fresh air hose boot, tighten it up. This process cleans your engine's throttle plate and lubricates key pivot areas. Proceed to step 3.
• Step 3 - 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner: This last step continues the treatment of all critical fuel system components. Add 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner to a full tank, at a recommended delusion ratio of one ounce of additive to each gallon of fuel. Start the engine, allowing it to idle for a few minutes before driving it for 10-15 minutes. 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner cleans injectors, intake valves and an combustion chambers while your engine consumes this tank of gas.

Key Features

• Helps to restore power and save on gas mileage by cleaning air intake and fuel systems
• Easy, quick three-step procedure is even more simple to perform than an oil change
• Requires only a few common hand-tools and safety items

What's in the Box

• 1 - 8.75 oz. canister of 3M Intake System Cleaner
• 1 - 4 oz. canister of 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner
• 1 - 16 fluid oz. bottle of 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner

Limitation of Liability

Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from use of this 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries.

Product Description

This 3-part kit contains 3M Intake System Cleaner (PN 08954), 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner (PN 08989) and 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner (PN 08813).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good product, bad instructions May 11, 2012

By A-OK

Amazon Verified Purchase

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 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars As advertised December 31, 2011

By Konrad A.

Amazon Verified Purchase

(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 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great System Beats Dealership Hands Down November 6, 2009

By ZLN

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!