FP or Chevron Techron?

dkryan · Aug 10, 2005

I've used 20-oz. of Techron every six months in both of my cars for years now and I've had no fuel related problems.

Is there any reason for me to believe that FP would be even better for my cars than Techron? I want to keep the intake valves and fuel injectors clean without resorting to a repair shop performing a "fuel injector cleaning special" for $129 every three years.

Frank D · Aug 10, 2005

I can't tell you anything about FP but I have been using Techron at about the same rate as you for years and I think it is good stuff. I first used it on a '90 Chevy Corsica that was having hesitation problems. It was still under warranty at the time and the dealer said it was being caused by carbon build up and thay would have to tear down the motor and blast it with crushed walnut shells to clean out the carbon (so help me God). I mention this to a mechanic at work and his advise was not to let the dealer tear the motor apart and he recommended using Techron which I did and one treatment ended the hesitation. I have been a faithful Techron user ever since.

LubeOiler · Aug 10, 2005

Chevron Techron is a awesome product at least up to the last time I used it.It gave a result you could feel.I don't want the crushed walnut shell treatment either.I thought they only did that on statues.

Terry · Aug 10, 2005

I make this statement as a lubricant analyst, not a fuels expert.

These 2 products are the only 2 fuel treatments I currently recommend to my customers. Techron is a fine product but costly. If you use Chevron fuels in the lower grades , you will not get enough of the techron "racked in", to keep the levels of cleanliness I want to see in my customers oil analysis soot/solids/insolubles readings.

FP60 is an amazingly effective and safe product when gauged by customer reports, observation, and most importantly oil analysis results. It is also a tremendous add to fuel solvency. Even Chevron fuels seem to lack this when guaged in oil analysis results.

Unless you find a sale on Techron ,FP60 is lower cost and very low treat rate ( 1 ounce to 5 gallons fuel( both gas and diesel). Techron is gasoline use only.

I recommend both products use but the FP60 sure is compelling in our experience.

dkryan · Aug 11, 2005

Thanks for the replies!

Terry:

Will the FP keep the fuel injectors and intake valves clean? I normally use 93 octane BP, Shell, or Mobil (mostly BP and Shell) in my Infiniti and 87 octane (same brands) in my Highlander. Chevron has all of two gasoline stations in the Cincy metro area.

I assume I should use one or the other, i.e., Techron every six months or consistent use of FP? By the way, will the use of Techron, especially within six weeks of an oil change, "skew the numbers" in any way on a UOA of a normally healthy engine?

InvalidUserID · Aug 12, 2005

I bought my car with 60,xxx miles on it and it now has 140,xxx miles using only Chevron fuel. I've run the Techron concentrate twice a year but stopped since I think since it sees only Chevron fuel, it should be fine.

I've never had any fuel problems but I might try FP just for kicks.

Terry · Aug 12, 2005

dk, if lower fuel soot, nitration, oxidation, insolubles,better MPG,and less fuel dilute is any indication, then yes.

FP60 and Techron luckily, are 2 fuel treatments that show no increased wear or "skew" the #'s in a UOA. If the engine is fuel diluting the gas or diesel fuels may.

I have not tested them for compatibility. Since both are safe and do not change the gas or diesel from its baseline status then they PROBABLY could be used together.
Although I do not see a reason to do that.

I do see good results with FP60 and Chevron fuels so that in itself would tend to support the chemistries compatibility, at least in the Low levels of Techron in Chevron fuels, unless its the premium fuel.

I have been working to assist Lubecontrol in getting the FP60 formula racked in at the terminals so that it is a part of a fully formulated fuel. EPA and State air boards are beginning to take notice of the product, finally. Once the levels of treatment, and levels of emissions reductions are quantified by independent test facilities accepted by the controlling government authorities the LCD company will be in tall cotton.

Terry

novadude · Aug 12, 2005

Terry... per your advice, I use FP60 regularly. I am wondering if there is an advantage to an occasional Techron dose. The reason I say this, is that I'm thinking it's possible for each chemistry to have different strengths (i.e Techron better for cc deposits, FP better for valves, etc). Make sense, or no?

Terry · Aug 12, 2005

Nova, I don't in my own cars, I use FP60 exclusively.

It may be a mix made in heaven but I can't speak to it from testing. Techron is too costly and does not gain me performance increases aside from cleaning.

Terry

T-Keith · Aug 13, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Terry:
FP60 and Techron luckily, are 2 fuel treatments that show no increased wear or "skew" the #'s in a UOA.

Do the "other" ads actually cause wear or just effect the UOA levels, or both?

-T

Ugly3 · Aug 13, 2005

I have used them both. FP60 wins!

greenjp · Aug 16, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Meistersinger:
Also, why a fuel additive at all if you are using 93 octane shell vpower or chevron w/techron? Both have great additive packages and I wouldn't think it would be necessary but for the occasional peace of mind.

People on this site doing things just for the peace of mind? No chance!

I'm a pretty dedicated Techron user. My old Saturn, which I drove from 52k to 185k miles, got a dose of it 2-3x/year and never had a single problem. Was that because of the Techron?

Don't know. But, that combined with the recommendation of folks like Terry is good enough for me. I now use it in my Saab and my Civic, a bottle in the tank prior to the oil change, which they get every 5k.

jeff

1sttruck · Aug 16, 2005

"Also, why a fuel additive at all if you are using 93 octane shell vpower or chevron w/techron? Both have great additive packages and I wouldn't think it would be necessary but for the occasional peace of mind."

We were using premium Chevron, switched to Shell for awhile, and am now back to Chevron. Needed two bottles of techron fuel system cleaner and regular MMO to keep pinging minimized on both cars. They seem to design cars for 'flatlanders', as living on hill I've had to reduce the timing a bit in addition to using premium and cleaners.

Meistersinger · Aug 16, 2005

Just curious why you would want to change if you have had no problems in the last 6 years using Techron? Seems like your current program is working great.

Also, why a fuel additive at all if you are using 93 octane shell vpower or chevron w/techron? Both have great additive packages and I wouldn't think it would be necessary but for the occasional peace of mind.

Just curious to hear what everyone thinks.

SilverGGA · Aug 17, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Terry:

FP60 and Techron luckily, are 2 fuel treatments that show no increased wear or "skew" the #'s in a UOA. If the engine is fuel diluting the gas or diesel fuels may.

So, is there any merit to use the Techron conentrate a tank before a scheduled oil change? Most people seem to use it this way, but if it doesn't get into the oil and/or cause extra wear, why the need?

Terry · Aug 17, 2005

The key from the insight of BOTH observation and oil analysis is that I can determine what the fuel treatment is doing. Why/how ?

Because the motor oil gets mixed in small dosages with the combustion byproduct and folks I can tune your car with that info. Just like I do to optimize racing engines !

dkryan · Aug 17, 2005

Meistersinger:

Your first question is quite valid. I use mostly BP 93 octane (65% of the time), sometimes I use Shell (30%) and once in a while I use Mobil 93 octane (5%). Chevron gasoline is not readily available in this area, though the other oil companies are readily available, at $2.90 for 93 octane.

Peace of mind? Yeah, somewhat. 20-ounces of Techron every six months and I don't worry about the injectors and the intake valves. I am the one who added and knows what went into the tank with those 20-ounces. I have to rely on the oil company's claim about their "great cleaning additives."

As for why switching if everything is going well, if there is something even better out there than what I am currently using, I'd give it a shot, fuel additive wise.

I'm using Mobil 1 10w30 EP in my 2001 Infiniti I30. I don't feel the need to add Valvoline Synthetic Oil Treatment or SX-UP from Specialized Formulations (no disrespect TallPaul or Molakule). I'm sure they work well in most engines, I just don't believe I need it with that oil.

I'm in no hurry to change, but I do want to be aware of what products are out there and how they compare performance-wise.

John in the ATL · Aug 18, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by dkryan:
I'm using Mobil 1 10w30 EP in my 2001 Infiniti I30. I don't feel the need to add Valvoline Synthetic Oil Treatment or SX-UP from Specialized Formulations. I'm sure they work well in most engines, I just don't believe I need it with that oil.

You probaly do not need it with the Mobil 1 EP but the SX-UP and Schaeffer's #132 EP can boost the regular Mobil 1's performance and thin 30 weight. The Nissan V6 seems to like heavier 30 weight oils based on the UOAs that I have seen so this is a route to go with Mobil 1.

As for 93 octane in the Nissan V6, using FP will allow you to drop to 89 octane with no loss in fuel economy. That being said, fuel economy with 93 and FP is higher for me in my 2k Maxima GLE.

sky jumper · Sep 5, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by John in the ATL:
You probaly do not need it with the Mobil 1 EP but the SX-UP and Schaeffer's #132 EP can boost the regular Mobil 1's performance and thin 30 weight. The Nissan V6 seems to like heavier 30 weight oils based on the UOAs that I have seen so this is a route to go with Mobil 1.

As for 93 octane in the Nissan V6, using FP will allow you to drop to 89 octane with no loss in fuel economy. That being said, fuel economy with 93 and FP is higher for me in my 2k Maxima GLE.

John:

1) What are some "heavier" 30wt oils you would reccomend for a Nissan VQ30?
2) Can I use 87 octane gas w/ 20z Techron and get the same perf/economy as 93?

John in the ATL · Sep 6, 2005

The "heavier" 30 weight that I am currently using is the Castrol Syntec 0w30 or as it is affectionately called "GC". It is the only off the shelf oil 30 weight that I feel comfortable recommending. If you cannot find GC, I would try the Mobil 1 Extended Performance.

Amsoil used to be heavier 11.2 cST at 100 deg C but it is headed toward the Mobil 1 at 10.3 cST according to reputable dealers on the board. The only heavier Amsoil 30 weight is the diesel rated Series 3000 5w30.

As for 87 octane, I would not do it; 89 octane with Techron would probaly be okay but there is a chance that your fuel economy could go down.

FP or Chevron Techron?

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