I am nearing 50,000 miles on my 98 F150 V-6, and I am hearing minor noises from under the hood. As I am looking at the fuel system cleaner at AutoZone yesterday I see all these products. I have seen all of the info-mercials on these products and I want an unbiased opion from you all. I am heading to Florida in about 3 weeks, from Ohio, and I thought about putting some in prior to leaving. Please give me your thoughts on this matter and thanks in advance for the input.

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98 F150 XLT
4.2 V6/5 Speed Trans.

Mods and Upgrades

Pioneer FHP8800 HU
Pioneer TSA6895 Compression horn 6x8's
Pioneer TSA6865
GMX542
MTX Stealth Box w/ 2 8in. subs... mild bass
Compustar SHF-2W-AS
alarm/remote start

Xtang soft cover
Airaid Intake System
Switched the 16 in. XLT
wheels for the 17 in' ORP's
35% Window Tint
Weather Tek Window Visors
(the kind that go in the grooves instead of on the outside)

 

I have done extensive research on the use of those additives. Many of the companies have been sued for false advertising! Including Quaker State/Slick 50!
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1996/9607/slick.htm

If I were you I would use a high quality full synthetic motor oil! Also before you put in the oil do an engine flush to remove the built of sludge and varnish. Chances are you have some deposits in your engine that are contributing to those noises that you hear!



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My Home Page


Lubrication Forums

 

Thanks for the reply, but how would I flush the motor out? As far as the oil thing, which oil would you suggest? I have heard mixed reviews on synthetic oils, but I ran nothing but synthetic Mobil 1 in my GSXR600 and I had no problems with that. I was also always in the high RPM's though. Thanks again.

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98 F150 XLT
4.2 V6/5 Speed Trans.

Mods and Upgrades

Pioneer FHP8800 HU
Pioneer TSA6895 Compression horn 6x8's
Pioneer TSA6865
GMX542
MTX Stealth Box w/ 2 8in. subs... mild bass
Compustar SHF-2W-AS
alarm/remote start

Xtang soft cover
Airaid Intake System
Switched the 16 in. XLT
wheels for the 17 in' ORP's
35% Window Tint
Weather Tek Window Visors
(the kind that go in the grooves instead of on the outside)

 

One thing that Slick 50 and others never mention is that Dupont, who makes PTFE (aka Teflon) strongly recommend against using their product in internal combustion engines.

There have been a number of tests which indicate that the PTFE ends up mostly in your oil pan - which is lucky since putting a solid through your engine could clog up oil passages.

If you change your oil regularly, a flush probably isn't required very often but on a high mileage motor it might remove some crud buildup. Just make sure you get a good quality flush - the bad ones can do more damage than good.

Finally, if you are going to pay the money for synthetic, stay away from Castrol Syntec. About a year ago Castrol switched from synthetic to conventional base stock (and use legalese to say it is still syntheic oil). I used to use Syntec but now only use Mobil 1.

My $0.02.

Ian

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99 Expedition EB
5.4l, 4x4, 4.10 LS
WMS Tube, Bassani Cat Back Exhaust, Superchip Flipchip

[This message has been edited by Ian N (edited 04-15-2001).]

 

All of that stuff is Snake oil(useless) I've used Mobil-1 for two years now,and I am
totally satisfied with it. 55,000 miles,and the dipstick is still clean. I can still see through the oil like it's not even there.,,,,98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's,,too noisy
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Clear front corners
Grillcraft grill insert
Speedglo gauges w/carbon fiber overlay,might paint it black
Stillen Quad light air dam,Sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,and Soundstream P203e amplifier//Single 10" sub
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!

 

Screamer said it best, "SNAKE OIL" Stay away from it. Total waste of money and should be pulled from the market.

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1997 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2L V6, 5spd, Superchipped, '99 Lightning Grill, '99 White Bumper w/Fog Light Kit, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, Clear Corner Lenses, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Painted Tailgate Handle, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

You can't go wrong with Mobil 1 or Amsoil. I've used Amsoil for the past 12~13 years and have nothing but praise for it. My only complaint is the price. I'm going to look at Mobil 1 for my next oil change to see if it's significantly cheaper.

As for fuel system cleaning, the only product that I've found to work well is BG44K. It's best to run it through the system the week before you change the oil. That way, any BG44K that ends up in the oil will be removed with the oil change.

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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com

 

We used to flush diesels in the navy with 75/25 oil/jet fuel or kerosene...idle speed only. Have had good success with 5 qts transmission fluid, new filter, drive it about 100 miles normal usage, no towing etc, then change with new filter.....Rube

 

98screamer=smart
snake oil=bad

hahaahah!

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97 F150 Longbed V8 4.6
K&N air filter
K&N FIPK tech MOD & removed elbow silencer
Tires: Yokohama 265/75/16 Geolander AT+
Hyper white xenon bulbs
Bedliner and raven shell
6 disc cd changer
Oil & filter used

Gasoline used

My Truck

 

I thought this article was enlightening. It is long but has some good info.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/2195/snakeoil.html

[This message has been edited by 1depd (edited 04-16-2001).]

 

I'm curious, what do you think about DuraLube? I've used it for a couple of years now in all my vehicles (the standard mix of 4 quarts oil, 1 quart Duralube) and I can certainly notice the trucks run and sound "smoother", but what are your experiences/thoughts on this stuff? Is it worth the $15 per quart price tag? Does it work in the long run, better than most oils, etc?

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2001 Ford F-150 5.4L Supercrew XLT

Fully Loaded (Sunroof, etc.)

6 1/2" Fabtech Suspension Lift

3" Body Lift

35" x 12" BFG MTs

16.5" x 9.75" Wheels

Gibson Split Rear Exhaust

K&N Filter System

Smitty-Built Nerf Bars

Hidden Hitch

Billit Grill Insert

Billit Bumper Insert

Clear Corner Lenses

Super White Headlight Bulbs

Super White Marker Bulbs

Brushed Aluminum Dash

...and much more!

Future Mods:

Ghost Flames (That's another weekend!)

Upgraded Chip

Supercharger!

...possibly bigger tires... 39 inchers! (in about 30,000 more miles!)


Happy Off Roading !

Brian "dirt is good." Fletcher

 

If it has PTFE, aka Teflon, don't use it. Like it was said earlier, DuPont doesn't recommend it for use in internal combustion engines because it could clog up oil passagers over time.

 

I have over 150,000 miles on a 98 150 5.4. I use mobil 1 5/30 and dynosurge 6qt. oil 8oz.dynosurge every 10,000 miles . Don't put any flush in your engine that's snake oil a good oil like mobile 1 will take care of any problem use a good filter like napa gold or moble 1 filter www.dynosurge.com

 

I have over 150,000 miles on a 98 150 5.4. I use mobil 1 5/30 and dynosurge. 6qt. oil, 8oz.dynosurge every 10,000 miles . Don't put any flush in your engine that's snake oil a good oil like mobile 1 will take care of any problem use a good filter like napa gold or moble 1 filter www.dynosurge.com

 

None of the fuel additives actually clean injectors. What they do is force all the junk into the screen at the tip of the injector, which totally defeats the purpose. The only way to clean injectors is to remove them. Anything else is a waste of money. Even BG 44K.