I have read a few posts hinting that running a fuel system cleaner can have an effect on oil. What would these effects be and what should one do to combat them? More importantly can running a fuel system cleaner too often cause damage to the crankcase internals?
FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER EFFECTS ON OIL?
- Thread starter electrolover
- Start date
- Status
Depending on the makeup of the cleaner it can wash the oil of the cyl walls and maybe get past the rings and cause breakdown
It washes oil off the cylinders no more than gasoline would.
It has no more harmful effect than gasoline would have on the oil.
It has no more harmful effect than gasoline would have on the oil.
We've seen increased lead showing up in used oil analysis when Techron Concentrate was used, possibly other fuel system cleaners as well. Whether it's harmful to the engine, I doubt it, but I wouldn't run it more often than necessary.
Hi,
electrolover - I have used Techron as prescribed for some decades and I have never seen a "skewed" UOA because of its use
electrolover - I have used Techron as prescribed for some decades and I have never seen a "skewed" UOA because of its use
The owner's manual for our 2001 Chevy S10 mentions if using E-85; having the 'flex-fuel' model of the S10(a weaker 4-cylinder, which we do not), then you automatically fall under severe service if you do use E-85. Hmm...?
I have run BG 44K for 3 consecutive tanks and also was wondering if it effects the oil. I did this because of a build up of carbon in the valves/heads was causing a knock at idle and it did fix the knock. I am assuming it burns with the fuel and does not effect the oil.
The oil dip stick does have a slight smell of fuel. With a long highway run, will this burn off when I stop using the gas additive? If not, why is this any worse then adding MMO or even Kreen to the oil? Maybe it will help clean up the rings, etc. I am assuming that not much got in the motor oil.
The oil dip stick does have a slight smell of fuel. With a long highway run, will this burn off when I stop using the gas additive? If not, why is this any worse then adding MMO or even Kreen to the oil? Maybe it will help clean up the rings, etc. I am assuming that not much got in the motor oil.
Last edited:
Man, thats some powerful stuff Boss (44K) I hope it didnt hurt anything. Although I`m not really sure what exactly it would hurt?
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
The oil dip stick does have a slight smell of fuel. With a long highway run, will this burn off when I stop using the gas additive? If not, why is this any worse then adding MMO or even Kreen to the oil? Maybe it will help clean up the rings, etc.
I can't speak for Kreen since I haven't added it to the fuel, but MMO is more of a UCL than an injector cleaner so it isn't that agressive. It was also formulated to use in every tank of fuel if you desire. FI cleaner was not designed to be used with every tank of gas, at least not a full bottles worth. IIRC the only FI cleaner that I'm aware of that advertises that it can be used in every tank of gas is RL, and that's at a rate of 1.5 ounces to 10 gallons of fuel as a maint' dose. The point is some of the FI cleaner will find its way into the oil, and extended use 'might' pose a problem.
The oil dip stick does have a slight smell of fuel. With a long highway run, will this burn off when I stop using the gas additive? If not, why is this any worse then adding MMO or even Kreen to the oil? Maybe it will help clean up the rings, etc.
I can't speak for Kreen since I haven't added it to the fuel, but MMO is more of a UCL than an injector cleaner so it isn't that agressive. It was also formulated to use in every tank of fuel if you desire. FI cleaner was not designed to be used with every tank of gas, at least not a full bottles worth. IIRC the only FI cleaner that I'm aware of that advertises that it can be used in every tank of gas is RL, and that's at a rate of 1.5 ounces to 10 gallons of fuel as a maint' dose. The point is some of the FI cleaner will find its way into the oil, and extended use 'might' pose a problem.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
We've seen increased lead showing up in used oil analysis when Techron Concentrate was used, possibly other fuel system cleaners as well. Whether it's harmful to the engine, I doubt it, but I wouldn't run it more often than necessary.
That is interesting considering that all Chevron gasoline comes with Techron. Chevron is supposedly the best fuel available, and it's the fuel that most American manufacturers use to test their engines.
I think it is better to run fuel system cleaners before an oil change just in case something does get past the rings and mix with the oil.
We've seen increased lead showing up in used oil analysis when Techron Concentrate was used, possibly other fuel system cleaners as well. Whether it's harmful to the engine, I doubt it, but I wouldn't run it more often than necessary.
That is interesting considering that all Chevron gasoline comes with Techron. Chevron is supposedly the best fuel available, and it's the fuel that most American manufacturers use to test their engines.
I think it is better to run fuel system cleaners before an oil change just in case something does get past the rings and mix with the oil.
The current oil change has only 1K on it and it is Castrol Edge.
Going to run a full tank of gas without any additional BG 44K and then maybe will do a oil/filter change.
Curious to see if any of the fuel smell in the oil subsides, if not, I will change the oil and filter. The engine is very quiet and is running smooth like it did when new. I am really happy that the knock at idle is gone and BG 44K did its job on the carbon buildup in the head.
The Acura dealer told me to try the 44K for 2-3 tanks to see if it eliminated the knocking and it did. They have recommended this before and he said it would not hurt anyting by doing this.
Going to run a full tank of gas without any additional BG 44K and then maybe will do a oil/filter change.
Curious to see if any of the fuel smell in the oil subsides, if not, I will change the oil and filter. The engine is very quiet and is running smooth like it did when new. I am really happy that the knock at idle is gone and BG 44K did its job on the carbon buildup in the head.
The Acura dealer told me to try the 44K for 2-3 tanks to see if it eliminated the knocking and it did. They have recommended this before and he said it would not hurt anyting by doing this.
So, why would using E-85 cause an automotive manufacturer to say the vehicle falls under severe service?
Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
So, why would using E-85 cause an automotive manufacturer to say the vehicle falls under severe service?
E-85 can not be used for carbed vehicles or equipment. Fuel mileage-MPG will also be effected. Stupid for the EPA to push this junk...
So, why would using E-85 cause an automotive manufacturer to say the vehicle falls under severe service?
E-85 can not be used for carbed vehicles or equipment. Fuel mileage-MPG will also be effected. Stupid for the EPA to push this junk...
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
So, why would using E-85 cause an automotive manufacturer to say the vehicle falls under severe service?
E-85 can not be used for carbed vehicles or equipment. Fuel mileage-MPG will also be effected. Stupid for the EPA to push this junk...
Well, E-85 will leave a flex-fuel system very clean, to what I've read, but it definitely burns faster than gasoline that is for sure.
The question I had was why a FLEX FUEL vehicle that used E-85 would fall into severe service category? That can only mean they believe it affects the oil's life(at least potentially).
Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
So, why would using E-85 cause an automotive manufacturer to say the vehicle falls under severe service?
E-85 can not be used for carbed vehicles or equipment. Fuel mileage-MPG will also be effected. Stupid for the EPA to push this junk...
Well, E-85 will leave a flex-fuel system very clean, to what I've read, but it definitely burns faster than gasoline that is for sure.
The question I had was why a FLEX FUEL vehicle that used E-85 would fall into severe service category? That can only mean they believe it affects the oil's life(at least potentially).
Some solvents in fuel system cleaners can mix with the oil and cause some additional wear on bearings. It will not cause any motor to "throw" a bearing though. Techron is highly reguarded fuel system cleaner and Chevron really has this engineered well I use this fuel system cleaner without any problems. Also you could consider the amount of Techron in the gas we buy as more as a maintance dose to maintaining your fuel system.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
- Locked