I have noticed that on the back of the Techron bottle it says to add the product BEFORE an oil change. I have always followed this suggestion when using both Techron and Seafoam in the fuel tank. We are going to be taking my Wife's car (99 Honda Civic EX coupe) on a rather long trip (about 1000 miles), and I though it would be a good opportunity to run a fuel system cleaner. The car isn't driven very often, and since its starting to get cold a cleaner would be nice before winter sets in. Is there a reason that you should only use these products before an oil change, do they somehow contaminate the oil? I'd hate to ruin the oil (Mobil 1 5w30) because the car has around 4000 miles before it needs a change. Thanks for any help!
Do fuel system cleaners contaminate oil?
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I don't think the cleaner will heavily contaminate the oil unless you are using extremely excessive amounts of it. Since most, if not all, engines have slight fuel dilution, a little of the cleaner is bound to make it's way into the oil. There have been a few post about this before, and Terry has stated that FP60 is one of the only fuel adds that does no harm to engine metals or the oil itself.
I think Techron did get a good review if I recall, I haven't used it personally, but I do use FP60 instead of the previous Amsoil PI as I am wanting to see if my lead numbers trend downward with FP60.
You won't ruin the oil, but a used oil analysis may be skewed as the chemicals could react with the metals and raise numbers, even if there is low wear going on.
I think Techron did get a good review if I recall, I haven't used it personally, but I do use FP60 instead of the previous Amsoil PI as I am wanting to see if my lead numbers trend downward with FP60.
You won't ruin the oil, but a used oil analysis may be skewed as the chemicals could react with the metals and raise numbers, even if there is low wear going on.
I've always run Techron AFTER a change, I guess I never noticed the BEFORE warning.
Engine hasn't blown up yet.
Engine hasn't blown up yet.
You could add a cup or two of water to your crankcase AFTER changing your oil, and I bet the engine won't blow up. It doesn't mean this is good for your engine. Techron instructions say to use it just before an oil change for a reason...possible oil contamination is the reason.
If you are going to be changing the oil soon then there is a SLIGHT preference to running the additive through the fuel system first.
It really doesn't make enough difference to worry about. There are much worse things in life to be concerned with.
On the same thought, it you are due to change the spark plugs, it is better to do whatever cleaning to the fuel and induction system you have scheduled first, but again it doesn't make enough difference to loose any sleep over.
It really doesn't make enough difference to worry about. There are much worse things in life to be concerned with.
On the same thought, it you are due to change the spark plugs, it is better to do whatever cleaning to the fuel and induction system you have scheduled first, but again it doesn't make enough difference to loose any sleep over.
it is covering its but-t. look, the fuel additive will clean up your pistons and cyls which in turn will work some of it to your oil. it causes some of the abrasions to get in to your oil. like some say, it isn't as much as most say. I use the additives during and before oil changes and is really doesn't hurt your engine that much. if you use it constantly, you don't really have any thing in your oil. Now for those that don't, it could leave some carbon in your oil which alot of people don't know about and could cause elevated lead readings as it acts like sandpaper on lead bearings.
I don’t think they contaminate the oil at all, unless you have bad rings. On the other hand, if you have bad rings, your oil is already contaminated….
Only a tiny fraction of the combustion gasses get by the rings via blow-by. Note I said gasses, not gas. An even smaller fraction of liquid gas gets by the rings. Think of it this way… After driving through a full tank of gas, what percentage of that gas ends up in the crankcase via blow-by? 1%? 2%? Or even less? And when you put 15 ounces or so of a cleaner in your 20 +/- gallon tank, and 1% of that tank that gets into the crankcase, how much cleaner gets in? I think we’re talking nanograms here, certainly not enough to do any harm to your oil or internal parts. And the cleaner that does get in the crankcase has already been burned in the engine. It will be vapor, and most of these few nanograms will get sucked back into the engine via the PCV system.
And if carbon bits, however small, can get past your rings and into the oil, well, your bigger problem is your rings, not the carbon bits that get past them.
Only a tiny fraction of the combustion gasses get by the rings via blow-by. Note I said gasses, not gas. An even smaller fraction of liquid gas gets by the rings. Think of it this way… After driving through a full tank of gas, what percentage of that gas ends up in the crankcase via blow-by? 1%? 2%? Or even less? And when you put 15 ounces or so of a cleaner in your 20 +/- gallon tank, and 1% of that tank that gets into the crankcase, how much cleaner gets in? I think we’re talking nanograms here, certainly not enough to do any harm to your oil or internal parts. And the cleaner that does get in the crankcase has already been burned in the engine. It will be vapor, and most of these few nanograms will get sucked back into the engine via the PCV system.
And if carbon bits, however small, can get past your rings and into the oil, well, your bigger problem is your rings, not the carbon bits that get past them.
That was sort of a joke
Odd that this comes up. I have noticed something in my car. I changed my oil in the beginning of sept. Up till like 3 weeks ago the oil was always very clean and amber colored. 3 weeks ago I started to run a relativly high dose of redline in my fuel. Half bottle per 14gallon tank for 3 weeks now. I have found this to be the "sweet spot" for the engine. It runs so smooth and strong while on it. Now when I check the oil it is dark brown but does NOT smell of fuel so I dont think I am suddenly seeing increases blowby. And I am not burning any oil. I think it is cleaning the carbon out of the engine and of course causing it to run into the oil. And my plugs looks great still so no oil fouling.
Best I can figure is that redline is really doing its job and cleaning her out. All that carbon is now free. I am gonna change the filter this week just to sleep better at night. hehe
Best I can figure is that redline is really doing its job and cleaning her out. All that carbon is now free. I am gonna change the filter this week just to sleep better at night. hehe
it does? they must have left it off the bottle of conentrate i just bought.
There is one specific chemistry that does cause increased wear in engine components and when I have access to my data I will share it here. Any fuels aromatics, that gets to the engine oil can is usually harmful. ANY fuel dilute in motor oil above 0.5% is harmful REGARDLESS of what cookie cutter analysis labs tell you and what the engine makers excuse.
I deal with this damage daily from owners to engine makers.
New lower lubricity diesel fuels and high pressure gasoline injection systems are stressing engine design and the lubes that protect them, not to mention fuels lubricity or lack thereof.
Things are changing and tribology of fuels and lubes for these applications is keeping me busy.
In working with a major fuels maker recently they are COMPLETELY flat footed on the issue.
Ignore fuels lubricity and chemistry diluting your oil at your engines demise.
TD
I deal with this damage daily from owners to engine makers.
New lower lubricity diesel fuels and high pressure gasoline injection systems are stressing engine design and the lubes that protect them, not to mention fuels lubricity or lack thereof.
Things are changing and tribology of fuels and lubes for these applications is keeping me busy.
In working with a major fuels maker recently they are COMPLETELY flat footed on the issue.
Ignore fuels lubricity and chemistry diluting your oil at your engines demise.
TD
Anyone here know at what temperature Techron or other typical additives vaporize(if there is such a thing as typical)? It seems like pretty aromatic stuff, maybe it vaporizes out of the oil first time it gets up to operating temp?
Thanks, Terry.
I have used Amsoil PI and my lead was WAY high.
I have used FP60, and worked but using Lucas engine is much smoother.So now I used Lucas UCL and the stuff in the white gallons jugs
I have used FP60, and worked but using Lucas engine is much smoother.So now I used Lucas UCL and the stuff in the white gallons jugs
that is what I had for months and no, I am not starting up again.
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