3M Complete 3 part system vs Techron

[rjacket]

So for my almost 8 year old / 66k Ford, I purchased the 3M Complete Fuel system cleaning kit for $35 and am awaiting my $10 rebate, making it $25.

In the meantime, I purchased Techron Concentrate Plus for $7 for my almost 3 year old / 28k Mercedes because that is the only thing Mercedes recommend.

Haven't used either yet but after doing some research I am wondering what exactly will the 3M cleaner do that the Techron won't?

And it seems that Gumout have a similar product to Techron for half the price. So is the 3M kit really worth 10 times more than that / 5 times more than Techron?

 

[Eddie]

I think Techron cleans only the injectors and combustion chamber. 3M cleans the complete intke system and injectors and the combustion chamber.. If you are having issues with the intake system then 3M is the only way to go.

 

[HTSS_TR]

3M Complete Fuel System Cleaning kit is for neglected maintenance systems and should be used once every few years. While the Techron Fuel System Cleaner is used once or twice a year.

 

[rjacket]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
I think Techron cleans only the injectors and combustion chamber. 3M cleans the complete intke system and injectors and the combustion chamber.. If you are having issues with the intake system then 3M is the only way to go.


Not according to this, which is why I asked the question!

Techron Concentrate Plus

 

[EricF]

Berryman makes a 3 part cleaner too.. wouldn't be surprised if it's the same thing.

 

[Drew99GT]

Redline fuel system cleaner has more PEA than both.

 

[JHZR2]

Don't you need the fuel system adapter for the 3m kit?

 

[dparm]

I'm curious too. I have been using good Full Synthetic oil for the car's entire life, good 93 octane oil, and I run a bottle of SI-1 through at each oil change. Wondering if I even need the 3M multi-step kit.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm curious too. I have been using good Full Synthetic oil for the car's entire life, good 93 octane oil, and I run a bottle of SI-1 through at each oil change. Wondering if I even need the 3M multi-step kit.


Do you have a DI? If not definitely doubt you need the complete system cleaner. You already take overly good care of your fuel system and valvetrain. SI-1 is arguably the best fuel system cleaner on the market.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Don't you need the fuel system adapter for the 3m kit?


No, not with the kit. I comes with a dispensing can with a nozzle and hose set-up. If you buy the intake cleaner separately, the cans don't have a dispenser so you need to buy the adapter. If you have a DI car and you're using this a lot, it would probably be worth it. Otherwise, the kit makes sense.

There's no way an in-tank setup is going to clean the intake valves and manifold as well as the intake cleaner that's spraying right in front of the throttle body, so this is definitely a more complete cleaning than you'll get with an in-tank cleaner alone. As to whether it's "worth it" or not? I don't know. I've done it every 50K. When I changed the plugs (which involved pulling the IM), the intake valves were spotless--shiny silver, no deposits. I had run a can of the intake cleaner soon before I did the plugs; of course, I don't know what they looked like before, so take it FWIW.

 

[rjacket]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Don't you need the fuel system adapter for the 3m kit?


No, not with the kit. I comes with a dispensing can with a nozzle and hose set-up. If you buy the intake cleaner separately, the cans don't have a dispenser so you need to buy the adapter. If you have a DI car and you're using this a lot, it would probably be worth it. Otherwise, the kit makes sense.

There's no way an in-tank setup is going to clean the intake valves and manifold as well as the intake cleaner that's spraying right in front of the throttle body, so this is definitely a more complete cleaning than you'll get with an in-tank cleaner alone. As to whether it's "worth it" or not? I don't know. I've done it every 50K. When I changed the plugs (which involved pulling the IM), the intake valves were spotless--shiny silver, no deposits. I had run a can of the intake cleaner soon before I did the plugs; of course, I don't know what they looked like before, so take it FWIW.





Thanks. So I think I have the right tools for the job.

1) Use the 3M kit on a higher mileage car that hasn't always been using top tier gas or seen periodic use of a good fuel additive such as Techron.

My Ford was purchased at 25k and I've done 40k on it, only using top tier very recently.

2) Use the Techron on a lower mileage car that hasn't been using top tier.

My Mercedes was purchased at 24k, I've only done 4k on it, and used top tier most of that time, but no idea what was used for the first 24k.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm curious too. I have been using good Full Synthetic oil for the car's entire life, good 93 octane oil, and I run a bottle of SI-1 through at each oil change. Wondering if I even need the 3M multi-step kit.


Do you have a DI? If not definitely doubt you need the complete system cleaner. You already take overly good care of your fuel system and valvetrain. SI-1 is arguably the best fuel system cleaner on the market.



My car is port injected, not direct injected.

 

[Boss302fan]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm curious too. I have been using good Full Synthetic oil for the car's entire life, good 93 octane oil, and I run a bottle of SI-1 through at each oil change. Wondering if I even need the 3M multi-step kit.


Do you have a DI? If not definitely doubt you need the complete system cleaner. You already take overly good care of your fuel system and valvetrain. SI-1 is arguably the best fuel system cleaner on the market.


I agree what you said about SL1 but I think BG44K may be better but twice the price... Anyways, with a car that has higher mileage or sits a lot(over winter) for a good cleaning, I think you may need to run SL1 two tanks in a row....

 

[Trav]

Quote:
but I think BG44K may be better but twice the price

I think the formula may have changed, PEA is no longer listed in the MSDS.
The smell is also much different from the 5 yr old cans i have here.

http://www.kansasbg.com/complete_set_of_msds/208.pdf