When should I start using Fuel System Cleaner?

[Alex P.]

quote:

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Originally posted by Sei:
This was not true to me. I had been using Premium Shell (high octane) gas for last three and half years paying extra 10 cent for every liter (40 cent for galon) simply in hope of maintaining fuel system and engine clean. My car doesn`t require high octane. But recently when I put fuel cleaners like Amsoil PI/Redline Si-1 and most recently FP60, I notice big difference, something I never experienced for last three years. Engine runs smooth with more responsiveness. Couldn`t be happier. At the same time I realized that premium shell gas, which is called `Pura` in Japan doesn`t keep my engine or fuel system clean as advertized, at least to my expectation. I switched to Shell regular and use FP now. I`m a happy man and smart buyer now.

My personal experience.
Sei

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Part of your problem is that you were using much higher octane fuel than your car was intended to burn. This will generally result in additional buildup over time.

quote:

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Originally posted by buster:
Also, is it time to give it a shot of Redline Fuel System cleaner? I'm thinking 1/3 of a bottle. I believe 1 bottle treats up to 100 gallons. My car only takes about 12 so 1/3 shoud be plenty strong.

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It doesn't act as a very good cleaner for "100 gallons". If you read the bottle, the 1 bottle per 100 gallons is their maintenence concentration. Most tanks will use the whole bottle if you actually are looking to clean your fuel system out with it. I personally like Seafoam, I've also had good luck with the Lucas and Redline cleaners. The best thing I've used so far is BG 44K, but it is pretty pricey. I'll use it perhaps once every oil change.

 

[TallPaul]

Agree, run any old 87 octane with a fuel additive. I use Schaeffer's Neutra 131. My new generator got the Neutra from the get go. Also works to stabilize fuel for storage.

 

[Zeo]

Try some good additives every 10k miles as maintenance.
BG 44K = every 20K
FP = 10K mile.
Auto-RX clean phrase every 50k.
if you do those, you won't need to worry about.

fill some V-power after few tanks of 87

 

[04SpecV]

Use Marvel Mystery Oil - Its been around for over 40years(actually about 80) so it has to be good.

Right now I'm not using any additives in my newer car. I may use Redline SI-1 or Techron every now and then though in the future.

 

[V1]

I've been filling up at Shell with 87 since the car was new, and now I have 38k miles. I just started using FP60 along with Shell 87 - no cleaners before. Needless to say, I immediately noticed a smoother engine, more responsiveness, and I'm still figuring potential mileage improvements.

Is it possible for the FP60 to create a condition of excessive detergency with the top tier?

 

[Mystic]

I was using Chevron Techron as a fuel system cleaner and I also tried some other stuff. I got what seemed to be results by using Pennzoil Gummout Regaine in the clear bottle from Wal-Mart. My car seems to run better after I do a cleaning with this product. I don't think it works to use a fuel system cleaner every 3000 miles or so.

A guy who has been a mechanic for more then 50 years told me to use premium fuel every 3000 miles or so. He apparently thought that there was more detergent in the premium fuel. I followed his advice for a while but now I just use the Pennzoil product.

 

[buster]

Picked up a bottle of RL SI-1. Being I do mostly all highway miles, should I start off with maybe 1/2 a bottle or just 1 ounce per 10 gallons? 1/2 a bottle is good for 10gallons for a quick clean up. I'm thinking that the car being only 6 months old with 10,500 miles won't need that strong of a dose.

 

[benjamming]

I agree with using 1/2 bottle for the quick clean up & then use the normal dosage. Although like a lot of folks I can't say how much it does for the fuel system either way. I currently have 2 bottles of the SI-1 to run through my '02 Accord V6. I just finished up 2 bottles of AMSOIL PI.

 

[Pitbull]

I've read that some of these cleaners can damage your fuel system with continued use. Why not just use a good quality gas that has a detergent additive?

 

[Mamala Bay]

I wouldn't worry too much with only 10,000 miles. Go with the small dose as a preventive measure. You should be ok.

 

[DrPepper]

This may sound stupid, but what is FP60 and BG44K? I don't recognize the acronym. And where are these products sold? Advance? AutoZone? NAPA?

 

[Alex P.]

Fuel Power 60 and BG Product's 44K are both popular fuel system cleaners. FP60 I have no personal experience with, but apparentely it is a use-it-every-tank type of product. BG44K is a powerful fuel system cleaner that doesn't need to be used very often. However, it is expensive and as a result is typically only carried by shops and dealers. I get mine from the Chevy dealer, when I feel the need. Normally I use Seafoam/Chevron and I've used Lucas before.

quote:

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Originally posted by Pitbull:
I've read that some of these cleaners can damage your fuel system with continued use. Why not just use a good quality gas that has a detergent additive?

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Continued overuse, sure. Some additives are very mild and are used every tankful or two. Others are used much less often, like every oil change for example(depending on your engine and your OCI). Also, the problem with using gasoline with extra detergents is that they tend to be available in the premium gasoline lines - 93 octane here. In my old Caprice, I ran that stuff ANYWAY. Engine and carb stayed remarkably clean with very little additive use. However, in modern engines designed to burn 87 octane fuel, I can't recommend that. The higher octane fuel will lead to extra carbon buildup, which would in turn force you to put in more additives.

 

[buster]

I added 3oz of the RL to a full tank of gas. A small amount.