Oppopinion: Fuel System/Injector Cleaners

"Tripper" (tripe46) 08/27/2017 at 15:10 • Filed to: None

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After I doused myself in gasoline changing the fuel filter in my Ranger yesterday, a friend suggested I use one of those fuel additives that claim to clean the injectors/fuel system. So like I do with everything, I have googled myself into uncertainty. Some say good, some say bad, some say good but change your oil right after...My intuition tells me that it’s all snake oil, but what does Oppo think?

Got a wash and wax in yesterday. 

d15b > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 15:17

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Are we talking seafoam?

Tripper > d15b 08/27/2017 at 15:19

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Sea foam? Techron “fuel system cleaner” is what was recommended.

EDIT: I see that seafoam has a fuel additive and a spray for the top end. I’m talking just a fuel additive.

Lunny > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 15:24

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When I worked at NAPA lots of walk in customers bought Techron and the like. Mechanic accounts only ever bought BG44k. I have used it a coyple times and it seems to help. Never thrown an ECU code after using it and i did notice the engine running smoother. BG44K is supposed to only sold by mechanics as a service but you might convince a freindly shop to just sell you a can.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 15:51

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Fuel additive alone is borderline useless because it will be so heavily diluted by fuel.

Tripper > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/27/2017 at 16:03

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Was thinking the same thing. I’m always skeptical of this kind of thing, and the truck is running fine since I replaced the plugs. It “chug-a-lugs” a little bit when the engine is cold and I start it with the A/C on, otherwise it’s fine.

d15b > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 16:21

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My gut says snake oil. You want techron? Go get it at Chevron.

That said, I only fill up at Chevron.

Urambo Tauro > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 16:57

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I’ve “heard good things” about so many different cleaners that it’s hard to single out just one. They do seem to help, though. I’ve used Lucas, Techron, Seafoam, and I honestly couldn’t tell you what’s the best.

Right now, I’m holding my breath for a video by one of my favorite new YouTube channels: Project Farm . This sort of thing is right up his alley, and I’m sure that he will find a good method to see if there’s an appreciable difference.

DipodomysDeserti > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 17:21

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Dumo some seafoam down the intake (pull the vacuum tube from the master cyclinder amd slowly pour some down the tube using a funnel). The engine will sputter a bit, just make sure it doesn’t die. Get half a bottle down then drove around for ten minutes. You’ll see all the carbon build up blow out the tail pipe.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Tripper 08/27/2017 at 18:50

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This song says it all.

BobintheMtns > Tripper 08/28/2017 at 09:40

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I spent over a decade working in fuels/fuel additives.

If you want to clean out your system, go find a gas station with E85. Add enough gallons to your tank so that the ratio is about 20-30% ethanol. Your car will be psyched.

Tripper > BobintheMtns 08/28/2017 at 09:48

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My Ranger isn’t a Flex Fuel engine, that matter?

BobintheMtns > Tripper 08/28/2017 at 10:34

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If you tried to run a non-ffv on 100% E85 on a really cold day then it might matter.. But a 20-30% blend is fine.

Tripper > BobintheMtns 08/28/2017 at 10:39

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Might try that then, there is a station really close by with e85

BobintheMtns > Tripper 08/28/2017 at 10:49

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Do it.

Most of the additives are just alcohol anyway. Go read the msds for seafoam... But like amgtech said, dilution negates any real benefits.

So rather than 10 oz of product for $8. Go add a few gallons of alcohol for $2/gallon....

Tripper > BobintheMtns 08/28/2017 at 11:02

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Makes sense. It’s running fine anyway, just not when I start it cold with the A/C on.

BobintheMtns > Tripper 08/28/2017 at 11:14

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What I do is wait till you only have 3-4 gallons of fuel in the tank, then add a gallon or two of e85... And run that mixture for a couple of days...

And if for some reason the truck doesn’t like it, just top off the tank with reg gas to dilute out the alcohol.

But spiking your fuel with e85 every now and then will keep your fuel lines/injectors sparkily clean.