I was wondering what the opinion is out there regarding fuel additives such as fuel injector cleaner? Do they actually work and help make your vehicle run better or does it create more problems in the long run?

 

to clean injectors use acetone mix about 2-3 oz in 10 gallons people argue it but it does work they have been using it since the 20's. to raise octane use xylene

 

Techron works - and it helps with valve deposits too. Is it worth the 6 bucks a bottle? I dunno.

 

Most good gas has cleaners in the mix.
If there are no interfereing deposits on the injectors, a cleaner does nothing.
Over a long term, injectors could condense deposit buildup that alters their spray pattern.
Deposits on the under sides of intake valves should not normally be a big problem either except those times a valve is left open when a hot engine is turned off and baking any fuel still left, on the under side surface.
If there is a history of cleaner needs, then the gas quality being used is suspect, otherwise running a quality cleaner once every 15 to 20k miles would do no harm but not expect to see much if any increase in mileage or power from their use.

 

most fuel addatives have lead in them, which isnt good. Stick to good gas, or buy Torco fuel addative, unleaded.

 

Someone suggested to me to use Berryman's Chemtool Pour-in to clean the entire system out after I installed my new fuel filter the other day.

It was pretty darn cheap (maybe 3$-4$ at autozone), and the truck seems to be running pretty damn good since then (although my filter was fairly dirty, so I don't know if its from the additive or the new filter), but I'd say for as cheap as it was it was worth it, I always like a little extra assurance.

 

Nah, most additive don't have lead.
Remember there are cats being used.
They don't take well to lead additives.
No vendor will want to be responsible for a situation like that.
Octane improvers are not a good way to increase octane for the cost.
The improvements are in tenths of an octane not whole octane number as many think.
Some have chemicals that coat the spark plugs a red coatiing deposit that runions the plugs.

 

Engines and gas have not changed since the 20s? While I'm not commenting on the effectiveness of acetone, stating that it's been used since the 20s means nothing. Removing varnish from the bowls and jets of a very simplistic carburetor is a little different then how modern day computer controlled fuel injectors should be treated. Also, there are many additional sensors that need to be considered. Again, I'm not commenting on the effectiveness of acetone.

 

Hmm... well I talked with Mike troyer about this, he has tested most of them positive for lead, which isnt good for our engines. I'll just stay away from them, my engine runs clean enough

 

Send those additives to Mattel for testing, they seem to be doig a lot of lead testing lately....

 

I swear by a product called SeaFoam. It is sold at AdvanceAuto and other parts stores. Works great on injectors, crankcases before an oil change, cleaning TB blades, and more.

 

they suck... that would be my opinion... in the majority is the fact that they are either useless or harmful... in the minority some of them actually do help... slightly... a good kerosene mix pumped directly through the injectors (not pumped from your vehicle's fuel pump) of a running engine is by far the best means to clean the injectors.

 

I have used this stuff in the past with different cars.



http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=2&loc=show

http://lucasoil.hodgsoncorp.com/luca..._treatment.htm

How does Lucas Fuel Treatment work?

Lucas Fuel Treatment works by lubricating your complete fuel system and upper cyclinders thus avoiding build up of harmful deposits. The additives in the treatment work to maximize the combustion process, thus providing mileage, power, and emissions reduction benefits.

 

just use a quality gas and keep up on filter changes. if anything the best way is a fuel injection cleaning thru the rail with the machine.

 

the next time i go to clean carbon and deposits off the backs of my valves im pullin the injectors and rail out and spraying the cleaner direction on the backs of the valve. being as that is where majority of the crud builds up. im thinking about using diesel. meh the engine wont like to burn it to much but it damn sure will clean and lubricate the engine. just be sure to keep in mind not all of the valves will be fully closed so u will need to crank is a few rpm to get to the next set. a borescope helps to see this.