Fuel Injector Cleaners

[Popperboy1]

Has anyone found any test results that actually show empirical results for these products? I am not interested in recommendations based on personal opinions or experience, as everyone has a favorite that they like, often without any evidence of improvement other than perceived improvement that has not been verified by a repeatable test.

What I am looking for is measurable changes in fuel delivery, spray pattern and removal of carbon debris and other residues from combustion.

I have read the labels and MSDS for many of the cleaners available over-the-counter, and find most have Stoddard Solvent (mineral spirits aka paint thinner), naphtha (lighter fluid, camp stove fuel), alcohol, benzene, acetone and xylene. The last two destroy some sealants and plastics, and may not be suitable cleaning injector parts in-situ.

Of these, only the last three have any effectiveness in removing carbon deposits. This is based on proven results testing FAA approved cleaners used on aircraft fuel systems removed from the aircraft in approved shops.

All of the brands that I found claim to be the best and most effective, but are short on proof, and that is what I am looking for.

 

[LeakySeals]

Any of the FI cleaners with the modern additive PEA work best per many online tests/experts. If you google PEA you will find what your looking for. Products that include PEA are Chevron Techron, REGANE, Redline Si-1, (a couple others).

 

[Eddie]

NO

 

[2008wrx]

These results are hard to find that was officially conducted by a lab

 

[Popperboy1]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Techron has some good components that do work.

Looking at the Chevron Techron's MSDS:

Distillates, hydrotreated light < 50 %weight
Stoddard solvent < 35 %weight
Solvent naphtha, light aromatic 5 - 10 %weight
Benzene, 1,2,4-trimethyl- 95-63-6 1 - 5 %weight
Xylene

The first three don't do much. The last two do quite a bit to remove carbon. It looks like Techron has between 6 and 15 percent active ingredients.

I have seen not much more than a self-serving claim that the product works. They all state the ASTM tests that are used, but so far none have produced or published those results.

 

[Popperboy1]

I checked the MSDS for Gumout REGAIN and found:

Petroleum distillates (JP5 Jet fuel) 60-70%
Polyether amine mixture 30-40%

Sounds like a winner at 30-40% PAE.

 

[Popperboy1]

Followup on Redline SI-1's MSDS

PolyEther Amine 30 - 50%
Isooctanol 1-10%
Aliphatic Naphtha 5-20%

Looks like another winner.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Popperboy1
Thanks for the quick reply.

Techron has some good components that do work.

Looking at the Chevron Techron's MSDS:

Distillates, hydrotreated light < 50 %weight
Stoddard solvent < 35 %weight
Solvent naphtha, light aromatic 5 - 10 %weight
Benzene, 1,2,4-trimethyl- 95-63-6 1 - 5 %weight
Xylene

The first three don't do much. The last two do quite a bit to remove carbon. It looks like Techron has between 6 and 15 percent active ingredients.

I have seen not much more than a self-serving claim that the product works. They all state the ASTM tests that are used, but so far none have produced or published those results.


its the chevron techron concentrate thats the good stuff.

 

[Popperboy1]

Techron concentrate was the MSDS I referred to.

Get your copy here: www.jeadauto.com/msds/chevron/techron-concentrate.pdf

 

[TC]

Originally Posted By: Popperboy1
I checked the MSDS for Gumout REGAIN and found:

Petroleum distillates (JP5 Jet fuel) 60-70%
Polyether amine mixture 30-40%

Sounds like a winner at 30-40% PAE.


I believe this may be a dated MSDS. The current Regane MSDSs are about as vague as they get:
http://www.itwgb.com/

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: Popperboy1
Techron concentrate was the MSDS I referred to.

Get your copy here: www.jeadauto.com/msds/chevron/techron-concentrate.pdf


Techron is Chevron lingo for PEA , its their name for it. Its been confirmed many times , Techron has PEA, Chevron claims its got the most concentration but the general belief here on the forums is that Redline > Techron > Regane in terms of PEA %

 

[Vikas]

Somebody had posted a scientific paper of Techron study. I only saw a scanned copy of the study which was done many many years ago. Found the hard copy on my desk; says SAE paper #831709 may be google still has it somewhere!

http://papers.sae.org/831709/

It will cost you $14 to download it though! The study was done on 30-car fleet and employee trials on 428 vehicles at Chevron.

If you are serious in your quest for the proof, spend the bucks!

 

[mechtech2]

Popper -
Your terminology is wrong.
Empirical evidence IS personal evidence/testimony.
And it can be more valid then skewed statistics from someone selling a product.

 

[ahoier]

PEA is about the most "bleeding edge" of cleaning....in that it essentially "cleans" without leaving residue behind.....at least, if you want to believe the white papers the labs release(d)

lol.


But honestly, I haven't had any issues using Berryman's B-12 CHEMTOOL (which I believe you kind of eluded to, with the mention of Xylene, Acetone, etc....). It is a very stout concoction

And other than Seafoam (which is pale oil, IPA, and solvent), and STP's new "MultiPurpose Lubricant" (which appears to be some sort of new-fangled antioxidant for the engine, gas, intake....), it is the only gas additive I know of that is sold in a "sturdy" STEEL container.....lol.


I don't know....I think the fact that it's in a steel, metal, can kind of tells of it's power/potency

But then again, so is STP's new "multi purpose additive" - and it has a very boring MSDS.....


Sure, acetone, xylene, and IPA could be bad for the fuel system....but for example, Berryman's product touts the use every FIFTH tank......I don't know about you....but if I were to use it every "fifth tank" (which actually comes to about once every year for me...) that would amount to at least 1250 miles, between uses....figuring I average about 250 miles per tank....times 5 tanks.

Give or take, anyways lol....15 oz. every 1250 miles doesn't sound all that bad....

But really, I'm more of a fan of "tiny" maintenance doses lately....my additive of choice has been MMO, at ~3 oz. per 10 gallons...seems to work pretty good anyways...hehe.