fuel system cleaners

U

ULUA.LAWAIA

New member
I was hoping to get your advice on the different brands of fuel system cleaners out there. (I do remember various threads discussing this topic, but I had bookmarked them when the site was autopia.ws, so the links are now broken and my search results come up empty.)



I recall several recommendations for the Chevron Techron brand, but what about similar products that are made to treat the engine and transmissions? Any recommendations?



I also recall that in a previous carnation of Autopia, perhaps a year ago when it was linked with CMA, Autopia was also affiliated with a parent site that had articles on car maintenance. I remember reading an article about the myths of premium gasoline, why you should keep your gas tank at least half full, and the use of fuel system cleaners. But I just can't seem to find this site anymore. Does anyone remember this content or where it went?



Thanks
 
Fuel cleaners are a funny thing. I spent a lot of time about 2 months back trying to find real data on them. Came accross a few tidbits at www.bobistheoilguy.com but nothing very scientific or conclusive.



I decided to just go with techron as it seemed to be a safe bet.



If I cared enough I would probably order the schaefer's treatment off the internet...but bobistheoilguy.com seems like one big schaefer's advertisement, so I was weary of believing anything I read about that company.
 
Fuel additives are a scam, just like slick 50 and duralube. Well, not quite that bad, they can actually clog your oil filter and damage your engine.



Just use a good quality gas, they all have detergent in them now.



Save your money and use it to replace your fuel filter more often.



If you have clogged injectors, have them cleaned by a mechanic.
 
Like AtlDave said, the additives you buy at your local Pep Boys and WalMarts are just snake oils. The additives in gas alone will clean your system. Anything else is due to build-up/clogs that wouldn't be eliminated with the snake oil anyway. Changing your fuel filter more often than at the recommended intervals alone will do wonders for keeping the fuel system clean. Good luck.
 
Sorry but I strongly disagree, not everything on shelves is 'snake oil'.



For one, all gasses on the market eventually clog your injectors, thats been proven (some a whole lot quicker than others).



There are many types of fuel additives out there, some are designed to lubricate the top of the pistons like lead used to do, some are designed to clean, some do a little bit of both. Of course there are bad products out there, some of which can destroy engine internals or tear up your carbs (who has those anymore anyways :P ) Just research them carefully, and I believe very strongly that longetivy can be added to an engine with regular use.



logic argument: they put additives in the gas you buy, in some cases its the same thing that comes in the containers on the store shelves. If its so bad then why do they put them in the gas in the first place? And in that case does that make what you buy from your local gas stations 'snake gas"? :D
 
Chevron Techron is what I hear recommended a lot, but I like Redline as I've had good results in some higher mileage cars and it is cheaper.



Those that experience more clogs in their fuel injectors after use, should have changed the fuel filter first. The detergents in a concentrated cleaner end up breaking up some of what is in the fuel filter which then flow to the injectors causing problems. So, change the fuel filter every 15k miles like most manufacturer recommend, and then add your cleaner if you choose.
 
emobob said:


logic argument: they put additives in the gas you buy, in some cases its the same thing that comes in the containers on the store shelves. If its so bad then why do they put them in the gas in the first place? And in that case does that make what you buy from your local gas stations 'snake gas"? :D
Click to expand...



That's the point. It's already in your gas, don't waste your money. Spend your money on fuel filter changes, which most people don't do every 15k
 
The FTC went after Slick 50, Prolong, Duralube, Maxlife, and a number of others that promised reduced engine wear for oil additives.



NOT ONE suit for gas additives. That tells me a lot. This means that they do what they say they do.



Personally I use the Vavoline Synthetic Fuel System Cleaner -- the strong one once a year as a preventative cleaner. However I don't consider it anything more than a light cleaning.



If you really want to get your fuel system clean you will need to take it into your mechanic for a detailed fuel system cleaner. They connect it to a large machine for about 45 minutes. I did it about a year ago on my 1988 Dodge which had never had it done. The increase in power was substantial. Also absolultely no difficulty passing our tough emissions tests. In fact it registered better than many new cars according to the attendant. He was surprized. Not bad for 170 Thousand Miles. I then did it to every car I owned and had the same results.



My mechanic recommends it every 45-60 thousand miles, depending on the driving style.



I heartily recommend a real fuel system cleaning occassionally.
 
bg44k is great stuff, but pricy at about $17/bottle. it's like liquid crack though





btw, the additives exc at pep boys and the like can't be totally worthless becasue otherwise it's be fase advertising to say the clean the injectors and other fuel system elements when they really don't. I agree, some are better than others and in most cases just using quality gas will work fine, but the fuel additives have their place.
 
Well, I'm not one to think that all fuel system cleaners are a scam and a waste of money. But there are many that are little more than alcohol and some other worthless ingredients.



The only retail-sold fuel system cleaner that seems to offer tangible benefits is Chevron Techron (make sure what you buy actually says "Techron" as Chevron sells cleaners without this key ingredient).



BG 44K is terrific stuff but very hard to find at retail. Many dealerships and repair shops use it and I've spoken to a number of techs who say this product is the real deal.



I've used Schaeffer's Neutra 132 and can tell you it too works as advertised. It's more than just a plain ol' injector cleaner. I disagree with the statement that Bob's website is nothing more than an ad for Schaeffer's. They have members that represent Amsoil, Exxon/Mobil, Pennzoil/Quaker State, and other competitors to Schaeffer's. Everyone seems to respect each other and values their opinions.



I am in agreement with those who suggest regular professional fuel injector cleanings. It truly does make a difference. It's a lot more involved than pouring in a bottle of cleaner and provides noticeable results. It's worth the money, especially on an older car with major miles on it that has seen little injector maintenance.



So my advice is to use a quality fuel injector cleaner on a regular basis with occassional professional cleanings.
 
I have been told for years by dealer Mechanics that if you go to a well frequented gas station, and don't fill up when the supply truck is there, you will never need fuel injector cleaner.



In the newer honda's the additives actually foul the tips of the injectors. ( and that is the stuff Honda sells as well )



So just keep your tank half full ( so you aren't sucking all the crap off the bottom of your tank through your injectors ) and save your money!



Cheers!
 
My isuzu impulse 1990 had to have very routine injector cleaner or the idle would sit at 4000 rmps or higher (seriously). While other factors may have been at play, when I put cleaner in there, it would idle fine. Results that are impossible to argue with.



And just because some has run a car for 150k miles without using it hardly means its a waste of money. Thats like saying my grandma lived to 91 and all she ate was steak. Well for the regular person, and regular car a bad diet just isnt going to work out. I have read many threads on people saying that added this or this cleaner to their older car and the difference was black and white. There have been government studies saying gas definitely will clog your injectors, and that is ALL gas you buy.



And obviously its not a magic potion, regular maintanence of the car is OF COURSE needed (ie. changing the fuel filter), but I don't think anyone participating in this thread has a problem with basic maintanence, its going above and beyond the call of duty to keep our vehicles running as well as they can (and looking as good as they can - what autopia is all about) that we are discusing. Fuel system cleaners will help you do this, plain and simple.



Geeze, I'd love to see a 'discussion' on this site about oil additives, lol.
 
emobob said:
Geeze, I'd love to see a 'discussion' on this site about oil additives, lol.
Click to expand...



Yes, let's...but before we do that, take a step back and examine what oil and oil additives (if any) you use, and what your driving habits are, b/c they will influence the motor performance & wear of your vehicle more significantly than gas additives will.



I know of no other subject covered on this board that engenders anywhere near the degree of out and out mysticism and annecdotally opinionated statements of "fact" as does this subject of "oil"...everyone seems to be be an expert on the matter despite their woefully limited experience and virtually no neutral testing procedures following the scientific method....more an expectation of "do as I say or do 'cause it'll be good for

ya...." than any factually accurate information...



Want to read an extremely controversial study about

synthetics vs dyno oils and what your change intervals

could, might, or should be...?



Read This



Despite this essay's age, would you like to learn

a great deal about synthetics and why your driving

habits might dictate one type over another...?



Read This



Want to learn even more about the characteristics of

some of your favorite, or not so favorite brands of oil,

both dyno and synthetic...?



Read This



Haven't read the famous oil filter study? Find out why

you might as well use Purolator and not waste the extra

money on something else.



Read This



And yes, I realize that this thread began as a question about fuel additives, but the point I'm making is that if you take better care with your engine, and fill your tank respsonsibly with a decent octane of gas containing a quality detergent (Chevron Techron is regarded highly), you won't need to go with the Slick 50 gas treatment, or others like it. If you read the info from the links relatively carefully you should be able to make a genuinely

informed decision as to what oil and filter is best for

YOUR needs....not somebody else's....



But what do I know, right?
 
from the bottom of the tank anyways otherwise how will you ever get to the empty (on gauge) so if you have crap already in tank it dont matter it will get to the filter and thats why its there.



I believe in FI cleaners and i Use redline

You believe what you want

Unless there are facts that it does nothing or does damage I will cont to use a bottle of FIC every oil change. and repalce fuel filter e very year.



Its a small amount to pay just to keep the mind at bay
 
Currently i own a 1998 series 1 AU falcon (highly modified)

She runs on 99 premium octane fuel and gets 1150 or more to a tank (68 litre tank) and have tryed all the domestic synthetic oils and lubricants on the australian market (mobil,nulon,shell,pennzoil,castrol etc)

Most are ok but at $50 bucks for 5 litres it's not value for money

Do most of the servicing myself



Then i heard about Redline Oil products from a guy i know in speedway racing.



Tryed redline 5w30 oil and it was awesome

Had the car dyno'd before getting a stage 2 performance cam and had 146hp at the back wheels, 158 kw at the flyweel

All AU falcon 6 cylinders have 156kw,357 nm torque

Changed cam and tryed redline 168hp,173kw.



Big improvement.



I prefer to buy all my products from the distributor,wholesaler or manufacturer to save money and i believe that the stuff that is not available in retail stores is better



Now i change my oil every 7,500 km's instead of 5,000 and the oil is still better than the domestic stuff at that range

Currently use K and N Oil and Air Filter,Redline 20w50 synthetic because of changed cam.

I love this stuff even though the oil is $112 dollars for 5 litres from K & A motorsport.

Just changed my auto trans fluid and diff oil with redline heavy duty ATF and shockproof gear oil and i am over the moon

Can't feel gear changes or diff anymore and she runs cooler too.



I highly recommend Redline.



Have spent $45,000 on my base model AU compared to $29,990 for a new car but she outperforms better than the XR6 and XR8 AU Falcons which have 185kw.



Spent $500 on the trans fluid,diff oil and engine oil and every oil change costs me $140 dollars but its worth it



There is no need for nulon,slick 50 or other brand oil additives and also no requirement for oil or trans coolers.



If you want to use a fuel system cleaner, buy the Redline one.

It was made at the request of BMW. Oh and yes change fuel filter



So consider me mad or very smart but i believe that if you buy a nice car you should look after it with the worlds best products



My gear



K & N Filters

Tectaloy Gold Coolant concentrate $15 for 1 litre (makes 15 litres)

Redline Water Wetter super coolant additive $25 a bottle

Yokohama AVS ES100 Ultra High Performance Tyres

Tectyl anti rust treatment

WD40

Meguiars,3M,Omikron,Valvoline car care products

Redline oil lubricants

Pedders Suspension

Koni Shockers

Agip Brake Fluid
 
wow, didn't know fuel filters are supposed to be changed every 15k....i guess its time to pull mine out and replace it
 
Mine is due in 6 months time, change mine every 30,000

K & N now make a high performance fuel filter so i may try one next time.
 
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