Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner??

[Lawnman23]

Maybe they stopped the BOGO for online orders?

This seems to be the likely explanation. I bought 6 bottles on July 5th and it worked as expected along with the free shipping to my door.

 

[Novice70]

I just came across this stuff on sale at auto zone, I have a stash of Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner - anyone think one is better than the other?

Techron works better.

Unless I've missed it, Valvoline hasn't released anything in the way of validation. Nor are there bona fide anecdotes depicting similar or better performance, that I've run across. But I'm always open to having a look at new evidence and changing my opinion. Until then, I ain't fixing what isn't broken and sticking with Techron...

 

[Adkcedarman]

Techron works better.

Unless I've missed it, Valvoline hasn't released anything in the way of validation. Nor are there bona fide anecdotes depicting similar or better performance, that I've run across. But I'm always open to having a look at new evidence and changing my opinion. Until then, I ain't fixing what isn't broken and sticking with Techron...

I’ve never used a scope to see how it did on my engines, but im curious if the Techron works within one tank of fuel like the Valvoline claims to…. I’ve been using it on my Subaru every 5-7k because of direct injection/boxer, and im going to do it every 10-20 on the Sienna just in case (Direct and Port).

 

[tired]

Techron works better.

Unless I've missed it, Valvoline hasn't released anything in the way of validation. Nor are there bona fide anecdotes depicting similar or better performance, that I've run across. But I'm always open to having a look at new evidence and changing my opinion. Until then, I ain't fixing what isn't broken and sticking with Techron...

Por que no los dos?

 

[TacoFergie]

Techron works better.

Unless I've missed it, Valvoline hasn't released anything in the way of validation. Nor are there bona fide anecdotes depicting similar or better performance, that I've run across. But I'm always open to having a look at new evidence and changing my opinion. Until then, I ain't fixing what isn't broken and sticking with Techron...

There has been some reports of VRP "fixing" a P0420 code. I don't know how temporary it keeps things in order? But that's pretty good. I've noticed a slight bump in fuel economy in our Subaru Ascent. How long that maintains is yet to be seen.

Either way, Techron is still a great FSC and you can't go wrong using it. In vehicles where a good FSC is used regularly (prior to an oil change) the benefit between different FSC's may not be as noticable or drastic comparing high quality FSC's just because you're already maintaining a cleaner fuel system/engine than the average vehicle on the road. It's also difificult to compare any FSC to another one because there are no two vehicles or drivers that are driven and maintained the same. No matter what personal experience someone has or lab testing is doen, someone will always find flaws in their results...that's just human nature to be critically skeptical.

 

[Wheel366]

Stopped at the autozone in the opposite direction after trying the closer one, one more time. They first store didn't have any. The other one had 5. I purchased the 4. I asked the guy at the front of they had anymore, he looked at the shelf and said no. This gives me enough for 2 more OCIs in each car but realistically closer to 2 since the 4th car doesn't leave the garage. Gonna see if I can pick up a few more so I can put in my other car if/when I get it back on the road.

 

[Wheel366]

Well crap. I had to go back to AZ and get a 3/8 ID hose and they had 4 more bottles. Just had to get them. Told me they are flying off the shelf.

 

[Adkcedarman]

Well crap. I had to go back to AZ and get a 3/8 ID hose and they had 4 more bottles. Just had to get them. Told me they are flying off the shelf.

Not fair. No BOGO sale here

 

[loneryder]

I like the idea of having another tool in the toolbox when it comes to keeping the engine clean. But not knowing what is actually being used to do the heavy lifting of cleaning has me in a holding pattern on this product.

I read elsewheres in this thread that some guy from Gold Eagle says it doesn't use PEA, which has been the gold standard for years and my go-to accordingly. And it is my understanding that one must be careful about their use when it comes to fsc's employing aminated compounds as an overabundance of amine in the crankcase can have detrimental effects to an oils additives chemistry. So my question is and in light of that response from Gold Eagle is, is this Valvoline FSC not employing use of any aminated compounds at all (like PIBA instead of PEA) or is the product just not using PEA? Because I already use Techron in a tank of gas just prior to changing the oil (literally the tank of gas just before doing a D&F) and another round of Techron in a tank of gas right after doing a D&F. It'd be nice if I could use the Valvoline FSC in-between as a means of keeping things clean between the two PEA treatments the oil sees between D&F's. But I'm afraid of introducing too much amines into the crankcase if the FSC is in fact using an aminated compound, just not of the polyetheramine variety that was asked about. My 100% uneducated guess is that it is using an amine of some flavor since the packaging advises against using more than 2 treatments any one oci. That reads to me a sort of tacit admission that something in its chemistry might not be good for the oil or something in the exhaust stream, if an over abundance gets introduced into the system. I don't have an issue with blow-by, but every car experiences some amount of blow-by due to cylinder imperfections. So even in the best condition of vehicles, you're going to see some amount of combustion byproduct entering the crankcase. But I'm wondering if the overuse warning relates more towards fouling of components in the exhaust stream vs unacceptable levels of adulteration of the crankcase oil via overuse of the product. So until I know more about the product, like it's cleaning abilities and whether or not there's any aminated compounds being employed, I'm gonna hold out for now because it'd mean I have to forgo use of at least one techron treatment if I wanted to remain on the safe side of things. Or, and this is entirely possible, likely even probable, I'm overthinking the whole thing and it'd be just fine running a bottle or two of the Valvoline FSC in-between Techron treatments, lol. Maybe the Gold Eagle guy or someone else who's got the relevant chemistry background could chime in with guidance on that front??! To be clear it's not that I think Valvoline is a shady outfit for my still being on the fence about it's new FSC, it's just I don't know what I don't know and that has me in a holding pattern on this new product. Otherwise I'm all for having a new tool in the engine cleanliness toolbox.

Isn’t the main ingredient Benzine?

 

[Novice70]

There has been some reports of VRP "fixing" a P0420 code. I don't know how temporary it keeps things in order? But that's pretty good. I've noticed a slight bump in fuel economy in our Subaru Ascent. How long that maintains is yet to be seen.

Either way, Techron is still a great FSC and you can't go wrong using it. In vehicles where a good FSC is used regularly (prior to an oil change) the benefit between different FSC's may not be as noticable or drastic comparing high quality FSC's just because you're already maintaining a cleaner fuel system/engine than the average vehicle on the road. It's also difificult to compare any FSC to another one because there are no two vehicles or drivers that are driven and maintained the same. No matter what personal experience someone has or lab testing is doen, someone will always find flaws in their results...that's just human nature to be critically skeptical.

Agreed. Fwiw I was the same way when their VRP lube rolled out, skeptical. And look at me now, I'm running it as we speak! Lol

So I'm fully expecting to be joining the VRP FSC club before too long. Just need some of y'all to start posting up the before and afters!!! Come on, chop chop, let's get those pictures uploaded folks.. inquiring minds want to know! Lol. It would be awesome if the VRP FSC could do some cleaning around the rings just like it's lube brethren. Now that will def earn it a spot in the FSC rotation.

 

[Novice70]

I’ve never used a scope to see how it did on my engines, but im curious if the Techron works within one tank of fuel like the Valvoline claims to…. I’ve been using it on my Subaru every 5-7k because of direct injection/boxer, and im going to do it every 10-20 on the Sienna just in case (Direct and Port).

Chevron claims 1 bottle "cleans the engine." Now how clean, they don't say. But the bottle is supposed to be 10x concentrated vs their gas. So it's like a shock treatment. I only use a single bottle per oci because I generally fill up with TT fuel when I can. But I don't know if every brand of fuel licensed as being TT, is using pea though? I think the only brands that I know you're getting pea is Chevron and Shell, but it's entirely possible I'm just not aware of the other brands. It's just that if I go to a Shell station, I'm getting the PEA in the gas. 76, Marathon, Valero or even the Costco down the street I have no clue what chemistry they're employing for their TT licensed fuels.

But I think Chevron claims that their gas is "unsurpassed" in re cleaning, when used regularly. And they're likely telling the truth. They have the resources to do the comparison testing vs other fuel brands to substantiate such a claim. And they make the additives that go into fuel for sale to industry, so I'd imagine they're on the leading edge of the R&D stuff. Just as I'm sure the other biggies are, like Shell and XOM. What blew me out of the water is seeing little old Valvoline come along and do the equivalent of a mic drop with their R&P product. I was skeptical about it being able to clean the ring lands/grooves, but holy smokes it works! I am seriously considering making their 5w30 VRP my oil going forward. I mean why wouldn't you, right?

 

[tired]

Isn’t the main ingredient Benzine?

Well "main" and "active" ingredients are probably different. The secret sauce is the one doing the heavy lifting, and we don't know what that is yet.

was skeptical about it being able to clean the ring lands/grooves, but holy smokes it works! I am seriously considering making their 5w30 VRP my oil going forward. I mean why wouldn't you, right?

Agreed!

 

[Japanese]

Isn’t the main ingredient Benzine?

It's benzene.
Also, I don't think it's a main ingredient because is carcinogen and regulated by EPA. Gasoline contains about .6% benzene and back in the 70-80s had contained about 5%.