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Engine Skipping/Misfiring and Mechanic Recommendations

4K views 33 replies 9 participants last post by  williakz 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

First time having any real issues with my 2013 Hyundai Elantra Sedan [49.5K miles]. Basically, yesterday morning the engine skipped about 5 times before starting, and then I had no further problems, and the same thing happened again this morning. I live in Texas, so not exactly too cold in the mornings currently.

I went to the mechanic this afternoon and they recommended a tune-up + fuel induction service- totaling about $300. I had some doubts so I told them I wanted to do some research on my own and get back to them.

So, after looking at the maintenance schedule, is a tune up necessary when I'm only at ~50K miles? Also, I've never heard of a fuel induction service before this and there seem to be a lot of negative stuff about it online... is it necessary? I saw some sites saying to just use Techron instead.

Thank you for any help!
 
#3 ·
The term tune up is very misleading. 30 years ago yes there was such a thing but today when a car misfires or fails to start there is a problem. They would probably put in a new set of plugs and injector cleaner and hope for the best. I had one of my own cars impossible to drive without cutting out and misfiring and after some time testing and diagnosing I tried injector cleaner and within 2 days it was back to full performance but that car did sit for some time. I agree with williakz it should be under warranty so take it back.
 
#4 ·
Plugs in a 1.8 is IRIDIUM (90-105,000 interval)..

Age of battery ?? Battery test results... remove ground cable beside hood hinge and remove paint,, same for strap at frame rail by air filter box, and same for cable at passenger strut tower to engine

Take it out for driven and stop.. then walk it off the stop and start to put the hammer down and let it wind up.. did it stumble and start to belch a major white cloud of oil smoke ??
 
#6 ·
I agree. Make the dealer fix it under warranty. But be patient. Even though its a hassle arranging for transportation when you drop of your car for service for the day or overnight. Specially if you only have 1 vehicle. It still beats paying it out of your own pocket.

Good for you that you refused the fuel system cleaning service of the dealer. Do NOT hesitate in using techron concentrate now. It works-proven. Good luck.
 
#8 ·
I was a firm believer that additives are snake oil till my recent experience. Back when EFI first surfaced I made a lot of money cleaning injectors because it was a job that needed doing regularly but now that petrol has improved immensely it has become a thing of the past and the cleaning gear takes up cupboard space.
I have never heard of TTDG fuel apart from the advertising propaganda from oil companies showing pictures of before and after using their fuel HaHa I gotta laugh at those pics. Valves totally choked with carbon in one and spotless valves in another.
 
#11 ·
Detergent gasoline ('petrol' in your dingo lingo), has NO effect on carbon build-up on intake valves in the GDI engines used in Hyundai vehicles. The valve comparisons you have seen are accurate but only for carbureted, port- or throttle body-injected engines. The big plus of TTDG is keeping the cylinder injectors clean and properly functioning without the need for snake oil additives (the snake oil is already in there!). Oil catch cans are increasingly employed to deal with soot (carbon) build-up on intake valves in GDI engines. Unless you have no access to TTDG, I suggest you keep your potions on the shelf. G'day.
 
#15 ·
Its fairly simple....You either always get gas at pricey shell or TTDG stations with the already added detergents or get gas at arco or the cheapest station available for the day and add a bottle of techron concentrate. Dose your tank 2-4X a year 1 oz. per gal of gas. I chose the later cause I am a cheap guy. But both works just the same. Cleans your fuel system. Removes carbon deposits. There was a discussion on my other vehicle forum about switching TTDG stations after 5 fill ups to change the detergent used in your car making it more effective? But thats for guys buying at shell or the like. I very seldom do unless I am traveling and there is no other station when I need to fill up.

Back in 1990, I used to not believe in those fuel additives. But when my civic then started to sorta have a very slight hesitation when stepping on the gas pedal ( no codes ) my friend convinced me of dosing my gas tank of the techron concentrate. The very slight hesitation disappeared and the car started running smooth again. So yeah, I am a firm believer of it. Even on my now 1999 Odyssey with 211K on the clock (original engine and CAT). For the last 5 years, every winter, when gas stations change to their winter blend, I get the P0420 code. Every time, I dose my tank, the code disappears until the following winter. This was working for 5 years until this year. Now, I modified the o2 sensor on the car and added the anti fouler. After 8 months it seems to work and I just passed smog a few weeks ago. Code has not come back since. I am a happy camper for now.
 
#16 ·
Its fairly simple....You either always get gas at pricey shell or TTDG stations with the already added detergents or get gas at arco or the cheapest station available for the day and add a bottle of techron concentrate. Dose your tank 2-4X a year 1 oz. per gal of gas. I chose the later cause I am a cheap guy. But both works just the same. Cleans your fuel system. Removes carbon deposits. There was a discussion on my other vehicle forum about switching TTDG stations after 5 fill ups to change the detergent used in your car making it more effective? But thats for guys buying at shell or the like. I very seldom do unless I am traveling and there is no other station when I need to fill up.
ARCO? Hmm....

Top Tier Retailers
 
#22 ·
I can see that you have already made up your mind and I respect that. I'm only sharing my very limited experienced on my vehicles over the past 30 years and will keep doing so because I find it beneficial and never had any fuel related issues ever on all my cars because of it. I am not a professional mechanic just an avid diyer and have been maintaing and repairing my vehicles for 20 + years now. Its always healthy to have two sides on topics and people can decide for themselves which is better or right for them. That is why car forums like this helps everyone inclined to learn more about their cars problems and fixes. They just need to spend some time reading through the threads and weeding out which is right for their particular case. Cheers.
 
#28 ·
US standard for gasoline has to have a certain amount of detergent included. So technically almost all gas you get on any station has some. The better question would be...is that enough to clean out the effects of 10% ethanol that they too require to have clean air? I feel that most cheaper gas stations like arco does not. The website that williakz likes to put up, maybe a good reference but thats all it is to me. I have lived all my life in big cities and never encountered getting bad gas. But this ethanol thing has affected engines undoubtedly. Should your vehicle start having hesitations, try dosing your gas tank with chevron concentrate. You might like the effect. It cost 5 bucks and its not gonna hurt your engine.
 
#29 ·
...is [Federal detergent level required in gasoline] enough to clean out the effects of 10% ethanol that they too require to have clean air? I feel that most cheaper gas stations like arco does not. The website that williakz likes to put up, maybe a good reference but thats all it is to me.
So you don't like Top Tier tooting their own horn?

Try AAA. Not All Gasoline Created Equal | AAA NewsRoom

Read the piece, go to the site, pull the lab report, call the lab, GET OFF YOUR BUTT, and do some legwork to buttress what are currently only suspicions and inklings on your part.

I've done my homework, but if you find something compelling that shows ARCO is pumping crap that doesn't meet TTDG standards, I'm listening. However, without evidence, your are simply and unjustifiably slandering ARCO, AAA, and the other companies and agencies who have joined together to develop, meet, and enforce the TTDG standards. Also, since many auto manufacturers, Hyundai included among them, specifically recommend Top Tier fuel use, you are slandering them as well by including them in your conspiracy and implicitly accusing them of purposeful misdirection.
 
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